Director of Development

Vitalant

National Director of Development advancing Vitalant’s blood donation, research, and innovation mission. Leading major-gifts fundraising, donor portfolios, solicitations, and stewardship.

Posted 8/21/2026full-timeScottsdale • Arizona • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $110,000 - $120,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in major gifts fundraising, with a proven track record of securing significant donations and developing strategic donor engagement plans. Proficient in synthesizing complex scientific concepts for diverse audiences and maintaining accurate donor records.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Major Gifts FundraisingDonor Database ProficiencyStrategic ThinkingInterpersonal CommunicationRelationship Building

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Major Gifts FundraisingProposal DevelopmentMoves ManagementFundraising Performance TrackingDonor Qualification

Soft Skills

Exceptional Communication SkillsNegotiation AbilitiesHigh Degree of InitiativeProfessionalismDetail Oriented

Tools & Technologies

VirtuousMicrosoft Office Suite

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree

Industry Keywords

Philanthropic AdvisorsHealthcare FundraisingDonor EngagementPhilanthropic OpportunitiesClinical Initiatives

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Identify, research, and qualify major gift prospects across the US
Build and maintain a pipeline of high-net-worth individuals, philanthropic advisors, foundation representatives, and other prospective donors
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
Lead major gift solicitations independently and in partnership with Foundation leadership, executives, board members, clinical leaders, scientists, and development staff
Create data-informed proposals and fundable narratives translating complex clinical, scientific, and innovation initiatives into philanthropic opportunities
Coordinate donor experiences, including site visits, tours, recognition events, and personalized engagements
Develop stewardship plans, proposals, reports, and impact updates
Maintain accurate donor records and moves management activity in the donor database
Track portfolio activity and fundraising performance, providing regular progress updates and reports

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree required in communications, marketing, sales, business, or related field
5 years of experience in major gifts fundraising required
Demonstrated success securing gifts of over $10,000
Experience in a healthcare, medical, research, or academic institution
Experience qualifying donors via phone outreach and in-person meetings
Ability 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 thinking, 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 travel for donor engagement

Benefits

Comp & perks

Hybrid work arrangement: work from the Scottsdale, AZ National Headquarters 3 days per week and from an at-home office 2 days per week