SENIOR DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC EVENTS & MARKETING

ABOUT US:

Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We celebrated our 100-year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID-19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program. Scripps Research encompasses two elite and highly innovative institutes, the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and Scripps Research Translational Institute, which merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.

POSITION TITLE: Senior Director, Strategic Events & Marketing

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Director, Strategic Events & Marketing raises the profile of Scripps Research among priority audiences, including current and prospective philanthropists, the biopharma and life sciences community, partner organizations, and the broader public, particularly in the San Diego region, through in-person engagement, strategic convenings, and sustained local partnerships. By creating structured, high-quality opportunities for engagement, this role builds the relationships essential to long-term support and collaboration.

Working closely with the Office of Development, Executive Office, and institute leadership, the Senior Director develops and oversees a cohesive, mission-aligned programming and events strategy that brings audiences to campus, positions the campus as a destination for engagement, and advances institutional priorities such as fundraising and business development. This includes partnering directly with philanthropy to translate donor engagement strategy, prospect pipeline priorities, and initiative messaging into the institute's broader programming and communications. The role also pursues opportunities beyond campus, including events, partnerships, and sponsorships that support donor engagement and acquisition and extend the institute's reach in the community.

The Senior Director leads an events team managing a diverse portfolio of institute events, requiring a seasoned leader who can conceptualize and execute high-impact events that advance the institute's mission and support advancement goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Community Outreach & Engagement

• Manage an institute event strategy that amplifies and accelerates institutional priorities, including strategic ownership of the Front Row lecture series, the institute flagship public lecture series, and its cascading strategies across marketing and philanthropy.
• Manage event budgets, including oversight of broader vendor relationships and negotiations.
• Lead and manage an events team responsible for the planning and execution of institute events, ensuring high-quality delivery and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Provide strategic oversight for event planning and execution, balancing tactical excellence with long-term institutional objectives.
• Partner strategically with other hosting departments to ensure needs and priorities are achieved.
• Support the management of the institute's onsite Faculty Club and membership strategy.
• Manage the strategy and production for all event-related collateral, including print communication, online/digital presence and promotional materials.
• Strengthen and extend the organization's brand while cultivating and expanding its philanthropy base in San Diego and key external markets.
• Identify new ways to engage the San Diego community and partner with local organizations to increase attendance at new and existing onsite events.
• Serve as a liaison between the Marketing & Communications Department and the Office of Development ensuring event and engagement strategy is informed by fundraising priorities and serve as a partner in creating impactful messaging around donor and prospect engagement opportunities.
• Coach, mentor, develop and manage direct report(s), ensuring they are supported and encouraged to achieve performance and developmental goals.
• Serve as a strategic partnership to the Executive Office, supporting leadership with event needs.
• Details of established essential functions for this position will be addressed/discussed during the interview process.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree or the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• 10+ years of events experience, preferably in a nonprofit fundraising environment
• Knowledge of traditional and digital marketing, event marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing
• Demonstrated project management, time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage details of multiple and complex projects within firm schedules; set priorities that accurately reflect the relative importance of activities or job duties; and effectively carry out event goals in a manner that enhances the institute's brand.
• Exemplify a commitment to utmost confidentiality and discretion in handling sensitive information.
• Experience supporting and interfacing with C-suite/senior leadership.
• Demonstrated integrity, dependability, sound judgment, teambuilding, and resourcefulness to establish and maintain collaborative, positive, and effective working relationships with multiple and diverse constituency groups.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, listening and spelling skills.
• Recognize priorities, work well under pressure, ability to meet deadlines.
• Represents the institute and participates in special events as necessary.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, as needed.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Expert knowledge of Zoom platform (webinar and meeting functionalities, recordings, breakout sessions).
• While subject to change based on business needs, this is an on-campus position requiring a minimum of 4 days per week working onsite from our La Jolla campus, with flexibility to work 1 day per week remotely from home.

COMPENSATION:

The expected hiring range for this position is $155,000 to $160,000/annually, commensurate with experience. Consideration will be given to experience that exceeds the listed requirements.

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Employer Contributed Retirement Plan - Depending on eligibility, employees receive an employer contributed retirement plan (no employee contribution required) and the option to contribute to a 403(b) (which is similar to a 401(k) using your own pre or post-tax dollars)
• Full Suite of Health and Welfare plans including three medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical/Dependent Care)
• Competitive vacation and sick leave policies
• Free, on-site parking

The above statements describe the level of work performed and expected in general terms. The statements are not intended to list all the responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of employees so classified, and the content herein is subject to change due to the business needs of Scripps Research, with or without notice. Furthermore, nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the employment-at-will status of Scripps Research staff.

EEO Statement:

The Scripps Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote diversity of thought, culture, and background in the fields of science. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.