About the California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.
Our extensive collections encompass plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from around the world and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.
When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you're working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.
About the Opportunity
The Associate Director, Leadership Philanthropy, plays a key leadership role on the Academy’s Advancement team. This role oversees a portfolio of high-net-worth donors while supporting strategic initiatives, internal collaboration, and data infrastructure to enhance major giving efforts. In addition to leading complex solicitations and managing key donor relationships, this role will manage the Leadership Philanthropy Coordinator.
Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision, and values!Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including 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 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 qualification for the position.
This position is based in San Francisco, California.
Key Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Maintain a portfolio of corporate donors in the $10,000 to $250,000+ range
- Engage with donors and prospects through in-person meetings, events, phone meetings, and emails
- Prepare and submit persuasive proposals, accurate reports, and associated budgets to new prospects and Academy donors in the $10,000 to $250,000+ range
- Assist with strategy development in collaboration with Academy leadership, program staff, and Trustees as required
- Fulfill outstanding reports and stewardship activities in a timely manner, including site visits and endowment reports; work with program and/or project staff to collect information and data on programmatic outcomes
- Provide creative and relevant opportunities for donor recognition, appreciation events, and corporate volunteering
- Implement strategic benefit fulfillment for Corporate Members
- Compose letters and other communication materials to donors and prospects
- Maintain accurate and timely records of all interactions with prospects and donors using the Tessitura database
- Serve as a content expert on Academy projects, such as environmental issues, sustainability solutions, education, and related special projects
- Work closely with the Academy Events and Experiences team to cultivate clients as new donor prospects
- Provide occasional staff support for fundraising events, which may fall outside of normal business hours, including Academy Day (March), Big Bang gala (April), and SuperNatural (October)
- Other duties as assigned
- Follow all Academy safety regulations
Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:
A qualified candidate will have a combination of the following education and/or equivalent experience:
Education and/or Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.)
- Three years or more of fundraising experience in a complex, non-profit setting
- Demonstrated track record of success in securing annual corporate and foundation grants in the $10,000 to 250,000+ range
- Competency with Google Workspace environment, word processing, database (Tessitura), and spreadsheet functions
- Experience in/exposure to corporate recognition and fulfillment practices
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong proofreading skills and attention to budget details
- Ability to work collegially in a teamwork environment, but also independently in an effective and productive manner
- Demonstrated interest and expertise in scientific concepts related to biodiversity, sustainability, and the natural world preferred
- Ability to work well on multiple, simultaneous projects and deadlines
- Ability to interact well with people at all levels, particularly program staff and donors
- Strong work ethic, good judgment, excellent organizational and time management skills, flexibility, and sense of humor.
Language Skills:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups or individuals.
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, and reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. Must be able to lift 25lbs. Must be able to perform repetitive motions 80% of the time.
Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $86,755.00 - $90,272.00. Actual compensation will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications and aligned with the internal peer group. 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; hybrid schedule with 2 days on-site.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and application through our Careers Page portal.
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 theSan Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).
