Principal Gifts Officer

Job location is at 10240 Science Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92121

Working with a team of seasoned fundraisers, the Principal Gift Officer (PGO) will be responsible for a portfolio of approximately 150 rated and researched prospects and donors. Approximately 75-100 names will be initially assigned, with the expectation that future growth will come through PGO identification in coordination with Salk Stewardship & Research, as well as the networking efforts of the PGO. The PGO will independently move all prospects through a documented moves management process, focused on deepening the engagement and knowledge of the prospects around Salk science. The PGO will also participate in prospect identification through participation in internal and external events, widening the overall prospect pool. The PGO will work collaboratively with other members of Advancement to support compelling in-person programming, both on and off-campus, encourage attendance of their managed prospects, and deliver other creative methods of engagement.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Salk Discovery Society by visiting https://www.salk.edu/discovery-society/

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Develop and steward a portfolio of high-capacity prospects, strengthening the pipeline for principal-level philanthropy.
• Document all qualifications, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities with accuracy and strategic clarity in the CRM.
• Collaborate with the Advancement team to design and support high-impact donor programming, both on and off campus.
• Coordinate closely with internal partners to ensure seamless, high-quality cultivation and stewardship for top prospects.
• Monitor and report on progress toward fundraising goals, offering insights that inform strategic decision-making.
• Build and sustain meaningful relationships with donors and prospects, deepening engagement and long-term commitment.
• Represent the Institute with professionalism and poise, engaging donors, volunteers, and community partners effectively.
• Utilize CRM systems and internal communication tools to manage donor and prospect information.
• Stay current on best practices in gift fundraising, applying emerging insights to elevate results.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

What we Require

• Bachelor's Degree (BA) from a four-year college or university or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of eight to ten years of experience in fundraising, project management, development operations, or related fields. Preference for some background in science-related efforts.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage complex projects, coordinate multiple stakeholders, and meet deadlines.
• Strong strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and relationshipbuilding skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with scientists, executives, and colleagues across the Institute.
• Experience supporting fundraising teams, donor portfolios, or philanthropic initiatives.
• Knowledge of annual giving, leadership giving, or major gift fundraising practices.
• Familiarity with moves-management principles and donor pipeline strategy.
• Ability to analyze donor data and translate insights into actionable engagement strategies.
• Computer skills required: Development Software; Microsoft Office.

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $125,000 to $160,000 annual salary. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk's pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym "I CARE" provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:

1. Any combination of characteristics.
2. A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
3. A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.