Vitalant

Director of Development - National - Hybrid

Vitalant$110K — $120K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, sales, business, or related field; Master's preferred.
  • 5 years of experience in major gifts fundraising with proven success.
  • Experience in healthcare, medical, research, or academic institutions.
  • Familiarity with donor qualification through outreach and meetings.
  • Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Identify and qualify major gift prospects through strategic outreach.
  • Manage a portfolio of 100-125 high-potential donors.
  • Develop and execute personalized donor engagement strategies.
  • Lead major gift solicitations independently and collaboratively.
  • Create compelling proposals that align with donor interests.
  • Coordinate impactful donor experiences to strengthen relationships.
  • Maintain accurate donor records and track fundraising performance.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work environment with 3 days at the office and 2 days remote.
  • Opportunity to make a significant philanthropic impact.
  • Engagement with diverse stakeholders, including scientists and high-net-worth individuals.
  • Professional development opportunities in fundraising and relationship management.
Full Job Description
Work Shift (if applicable):
Shift 1 (United States of America)

Job Description:

At Vitalant, our mission is to save and improve lives through blood donation, research, and innovation. We are seeking a National Director of Development to serve as an ambassador for this mission and lead frontline fundraising efforts that inspire meaningful philanthropic support. This role will identify, engage, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors while building lasting relationships that advance Vitalant's lifesaving work. The National Director of Development will be responsible for achieving annual revenue and moves management goals, managing a portfolio of donors, and creating meaningful opportunities for individuals to make a lasting impact through their support.

Compensation: $110,000 - $120,000

This position will work in the Scottsdale, AZ National Headquarters 3 days per week and work from an at-home office 2 days per week.

As a Director of Development, you'll get to:
  • Identify, research, and qualify major gift prospects across the US through strategic outreach, discovery meetings, and personalized engagement.
  • Build and maintain a pipeline of high-net-worth individuals, philanthropic advisors, foundation representatives, and other prospective donors aligned with mission priorities.
  • Manage a portfolio of 100-125 major gift prospects and donors with potential annual gifts of $10,000-$25,000+.
  • Develop and execute personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that align donor interests with organizational priorities.
  • Lead major gift solicitations independently and in partnership with Foundation leadership, executives, board members, clinical leaders, scientists, and development staff.
  • Create compelling, data-informed proposals and fundable narratives that translate complex clinical, scientific, and innovation initiatives into meaningful opportunities for philanthropic support.
  • Coordinate donor experiences, including site visits, tours, recognition events, and personalized engagements that demonstrate mission impact and strengthen relationships.
  • Develop customized stewardship plans, proposals, reports, and impact updates to promote donor satisfaction, recognition, and long-term retention.
  • Maintain accurate donor records and moves management activity in the donor database, including call reports, meeting notes, next steps, and solicitation progress.
  • Track portfolio activity and fundraising performance, providing regular updates and reports on progress toward annual revenue and engagement goals.


REQUIREMENTS:
KNOWLEDGE/EDUCATION

  • Bachelor's degree required in communications, marketing, sales, business, or related field, required.
  • Master's degree, preferred.
  • Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE), preferred.


EXPERIENCE
  • 5 years of experience in major gifts fundraising, required. To Include:
  • Demonstrated success with proven results in securing gifts of over $10,000.
  • Experience in a healthcare, medical, research or academic institution.
  • Experience successfully qualifying donors via phone outreach and in-person meetings.
  • Demonstrated success with proven results in securing gifts of over $25,000, preferred.


SKILLS/ABILITIES
  • Must possess the skills and abilities to successfully perform all assigned duties and responsibilities.
  • Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
  • Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
  • Ability to synthesize scientific concepts for donor audiences.
  • Proficiency in donor databases (preferably Virtuous) and Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Strategic thinker with strong relationship-building and negotiation abilities.
  • Comfortable engaging with scientists, high-net-worth individuals, and philanthropic leaders.
  • High degree of initiative, professionalism, and discretion.
  • Highly organized, self-motivated, and detail oriented.
  • Local and regional travel with occasional national and overnight for donor engagement.


Location:
9305 East Via de VenturaScottsdale, AZ 85258

Job Category:
Sales / Community Outreach

Contact Information:

About Vitalant

Vitalant is a nonprofit organization that provides blood and plasma donations to hospitals and medical centers across the United States. The organization was founded in 1943 and has since grown to become one of the largest blood donation organizations in the country. Vitalant operates blood donation centers in 40 states and serves more than 1,000 hospitals and medical centers. The organization also conducts research into blood and plasma transfusion and works to educate the public about the importance of blood donation.
Learn more about Vitalant
Size
3,000 employees
Industry

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