Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations (Institutional Giving)

About the Opportunity

The Director of Institutional Giving will report to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) and lead development and execution of the Academy’s strategy to secure funding from corporations, foundations, and government sources. As a senior member of the Advancement Division, the Director will oversee a portfolio of major institutional donors, lead a team of institutional giving specialists, and work collaboratively across departments to craft compelling proposals that support the Academy’s mission and strategic goals. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, a persuasive communicator, and a skilled relationship builder with a proven track record of success in institutional fundraising.

Our Organizational Structure

Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy's strategic plan includes three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are intrinsic to Academy culture and operations, from recruitment and retention to science and advocacy.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 2-3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy. The California Academy of Sciences is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace, to protect its employees, volunteers and guests.

As Director of Institutional Giving you will be responsible for the following: 

Strategic Leadership and Planning:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive departmental fundraising strategy in collaboration with the Chief Advancement Officer, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and program staff.
• Work with the Chief Advancement Officer to set and achieve annual income goals, including Big Bang support, in-kind contributions, and multi-year gift stewardship.
• Create and maintain a 1-year and 3-year cultivation, communication, and stewardship plan for institutional donors and prospects.
• Assist with departmental budget planning related to donor cultivation events, stewardship, and staff professional development.
• Lead, in partnership with the CAO and other key stakeholders, a reimagining of a corporate engagement plan designed to position the Academy as a partner of choice for the corporate community.

Fundraising and Relationship Management:

• Manage a portfolio of 50+ high-value institutional prospects and donors, focusing on gifts in the $100,000 to $1,000,000+ range, with a goal of securing multiple multi-year commitments.
• Engage donors and prospects through in-person meetings, phone calls, letters of inquiry, site visits, cold calls, and emails, independently or with staff and Trustee support.
• Guide SLT, Advancement Leadership Team (ALT), and program staff in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of all donor and prospect interactions using Tessitura fundraising software and generate/distribute reports as needed.

Grant Development and Management:

• Work independently and in partnership to create compelling proposals for Academy-wide programs, tailoring them to specific foundation priorities.
• Research and identify new funding opportunities aligned with the Academy’s strategic goals.
• Fulfill outstanding reports and stewardship activities in a timely manner, including site visits and reports; work with program and/or project staff to collect information and data on programmatic outcomes.
• Oversee staff managing a pipeline of government grants and coordinate across CAS to ensure compliance and timely reporting.

Team Leadership and Collaboration:

• Supervise and mentor the team staff, ensuring progress towards I institutional goals and individual professional growth.
• Serve as a leader within the department and the Advancement Division, including actively contributing to Advancement Leadership Team meetings and discussions.
• Serve as a content expert on Academy projects, such as environmental issues, sustainability solutions, education, and related special projects, as well as on the Institutional team’s strategy and work.
• Liaise with the ED’s staff and Communications team in the production of program case statements.
• Represent the Academy, when requested.
• Enhance the professionalism of staff by seeking opportunities for professional growth and serving as a role model.

Operational and Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with all grant requirements and deadlines.
• Oversee the development and assessment of institutional donor recognition and fulfillment of sponsor benefits programs.
• Support the enforcement of gift acceptance policy.
• Guide the team to seek out in-kind gifts, where feasible.
• Provide event support, including periodic evening and weekend availability.
• Follow all Academy safety regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Donor Events and Volunteer Leadership:

• Collaborate with the Donor Experience team, to ensure the success of key fundraising and stewardship events.
• Ensure that corporate sponsors are treated appropriately, especially regarding leadership and recognition.
• Partner with Big Bang Corporate Chairs to ensure the event's success.
• Support Trustees as key door-openers and solicitors with corporate and foundation donors.
• Collaborate with ALT on Trustee prospecting plans 

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required; graduate degree desired
• 7+ years progressive experience in development and philanthropy with a verifiable fund raising track record and a demonstrated ability to plan and secure major sponsorships and major gifts (six- and seven-figures);
• Experience leading a team to grow institutional contributed revenue over time and knowledge of fundraising and donor events.
• Experience working on successful capital, endowment, growth campaigns;
• Ability to interact well with people at all levels, especially upper level volunteers and administrators; and to work well in a "team" environment;
• Ability to work well on multiple, simultaneous projects and meet deadlines;
• Flexibility in working hours and ability to attend occasional evening and weekend events. 
• A passion for science, education, and regeneration;.
• Possession of, or eligibility for, a California Driver’s License and willingness to travel throughout the San Francisco Bay Area
• Language preference

Physical Environment:

The Academy complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits of employment, please contact our People & Culture team at recruiting@calacademy.org.

Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $160,000 - $170,000. Actual compensation will be commensurate with experience, skills/knowledge set, and internal equity. We believe in fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to providing competitive salaries within the industry and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked. Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please upload your resume, optional cover letter, and complete the brief online application 

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance(SF Police Code, Article 49).

We are committed to ensuring that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers, promotions, compensation, benefits, terminations, training, and social and recreational programs, will be on the basis of qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled. The Academy does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any terms or conditions of employment on account of any characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. Read our full Equal Opportunity Statement here.