Director of Development - National - Hybrid

At Vitalant, the impact you make doing work that is purposeful, meaningful, and worthwhile is vital. As a member of our non-profit organization, you can be impact-inspired to provide vital clinical services to communities nationwide, vital products to those in need of a donor's generosity, or vital scientific research that advances blood safety worldwide.

Work Shift (if applicable):

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:

Job Category:

Contact Information: careers@vitalant.org

If you are impact-inspired to help others, and making a difference is vital for you, you'll experience a career built on purpose, a company created to care, and a team committed to lead - together.