Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations

December 2023 | Remote, USA
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The Jackson Laboratory seeks an entrepreneurial Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations to lead and set the strategy for transformational growth in institutional giving.

About The Jackson Laboratory

The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research organization that leverages a unique combination of research, education, and resources to achieve its mission:

They DISCOVER precise genomic solutions for disease and EMPOWER the global biomedical community in its shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929 to uncover the genetic basis of cancer, JAX pioneered the use of laboratory mice as models for human disease and provided the basis for many modern medical treatments. Today, their team combines mouse genetics, human genomics, cell-based studies, and computational modeling to define the underlying biology of a broad spectrum of diseases.

Their diverse programming includes cutting-edge research, mentorship, education, and more. Multidisciplinary research programs include the National Cancer Institute-designated JAX Cancer Center, as well as coordinated research centers focused on addiction, aging, Alzheimer’s and dementias, genomics and computational biology, precision genetics and rare disease. Their mentorship and education programs inspire and advance students at all stages of their careers. Scientists from more than 2,000 organizations in 64 countries rely on JAX research tools and data resources, mouse models, and services. And with 26 Nobel Prizes associated with their work, JAX is accelerating scientific research, drug development and patient care around the world.

Under the leadership of President and CEO Lon Cardon, JAX is undertaking an ambitious strategic plan that will serve as JAX’s guidepost for research and strategic investments in order to realize the potential of genetics to transform human health. This visionary new plan presents an unprecedented opportunity to leverage JAX’s scientific expertise and unique capabilities to harness emerging opportunities to accelerate JAX’s translational impact.

To achieve the ambition and vision outlined in the 5-Year Strategic Plan to impact human health, JAX will:

• Leverage its deep experience in mouse modeling and expand its resources.
• Build a corresponding repository of human cellular models.
• Create a global hub for biomedical data science, building a computational platform that bridges experimental and preclinical research to predict human clinical responses from experimental and analytic biological models’ clinical application.
• Expand access to JAX’s tools, mice, and services so that members of the global biomedical community can best translate and transform the biomedical landscape themselves.
• Invest in its people who make these aims possible and to better attract and retain top-notch talent.
• Focus its brand to maximize JAX’s impact and reputation as a global biomedical powerhouse.

About Philanthropy at The Jackson Laboratory

Philanthropy is well positioned to provide a large contribution to this 5 year Plan “We are in a period of unique scientific impact for the Laboratory as we combine our extensive genetic expertise, large-scale research capacity, and analytical power with new initiatives in data science and cellular modeling. In this exciting next phase, philanthropy will play an even more significant role in JAX’s growth and in achieving our aspirations.”

• Lon Cardon, Ph.D., FMedSci, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Jackson Laboratory.

JAX currently raises more than $40 million annually in philanthropic revenue and is poised to scale rapidly over the next several years. The new Director will join a collaborative 25+ member development department that is growing to support these strategic initiatives.

About the Position

The Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations is an externally facing position responsible for identifying, initiating, building, and soliciting a pool of key institutional relationships to secure high-impact philanthropic investments in JAX science, research, and programs. This position will report to the Senior Vice President of Advancement and work in partnership with JAX scientific leadership to establish and advance relationships with key constituents.

Ideal candidates will have a demonstrated background of entrepreneurial and collaborative fundraising as well as a record of identifying and building corporate and foundation relationships that resulted in seven-figure gifts or greater, preferably in the life sciences sector. The best candidate for this role will also possess a deep understanding of science and research, preferably in basic or life sciences.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead JAX’s strategic efforts to develop and implement complex and multi-faceted fundraising strategies, solicitations, and stewardship plans, including:
  • An international portfolio of prominent foundations
  • Leading corporate and venture fund philanthropists
  • Other partnerships such as non-governmental organizations and public charities.
• Build close working relationships with a wide variety of internal JAX partners to successfully cultivate, solicit and steward external institutional donors.
• Coordinate meetings and site visits with corporate and foundation leaders to promote JAX’s research excellence and create collaborative funding opportunities.
• Establish a deep working knowledge of JAX research programs, genomics, and laboratory research in partnership with JAX internal stakeholders.
• Provide overall direction and coordination when developing funding proposals.
• Work closely with JAX scientific writers and serve as grant proposal editor.
• Forge and lead new approaches for stewarding relationships with and reporting to key philanthropic partners, including establishing internal mechanisms to continuously track and engage scientific progress.
• Maintain advanced knowledge and understanding of philanthropic and fundraising best practices to interact capably with donors and their advisors on charitable gifts.

Key Qualifications

• 5+ years related experience working with corporate and foundation funders to support science and/or research-based organizations including several years at the leadership level.
• Ability to translate scientific programs to engage philanthropic partners. Desirable but not required is:
  • A working knowledge of genetics, genomics, precision medicine, and translational science
  • Familiarity with computational biology
• Track record of securing grants at the seven-figure level; eight-figure experience a plus.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, manage and monitor multiple projects to successful completion while adapting to shifting priorities in a high-pressure environment.
• Entrepreneurial, independent, deeply collaborative and diplomatic.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing demands and changing pace of priorities; comfortable dealing with all levels of institutional staff.
• Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or other similar donor or customer relationship databases.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $155,785 – $223,986, commensurate with experience and regional location, plus comprehensive benefits.

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.

If you are interested in being considered for this search, please use the form below to submit your cover letter and resume in confidence.

Kat Landa

Senior Vice President, Principal

Development Guild DDI