Business Development

Director, Philanthropy & Development

Sunnyvale, California, United States

Who We Are 

We are a group of individuals passionate about genetic discovery. 23andMe Research Institute is a nonprofit medical research organization that enables people everywhere to access their genetic information, learn about themselves, and participate in the world's largest crowdsourced research initiative. The Institute aims to be the world's most significant contributor to scientific advancement, uniting people with the common goal of improving health and deepening our understanding of DNA — the code of life.

The Opportunity 

Philanthropy is more than funding—it’s partnership, alignment, and shared purpose. We’re seeking a Director of Philanthropy who understands this deeply - someone who can lead with empathy and strategy, who sees donors as co-conspirators in impact, and who knows how to connect visionary funders with visionary work.

This is a pivotal role in the next chapter of our organization. You’ll be our lead fundraiser and relationship-builder, responsible for building a robust philanthropic engine that reflects the scale of our ambitions. From high-net-worth individuals to institutional funders, you’ll develop and steward relationships that bring in significant, sustained support for our mission. You’ll work closely with the CEO, Board, and senior leadership to shape our fundraising strategy, tell our story in ways that resonate, and ensure every donor experience reflects the integrity and ambition of our work.

What You’ll Do 

• Build and lead a best-in-class philanthropy and development function from the ground up.
• Implement a multi-year development strategy aligned with our scientific mission and initiatives.
• Inspire and steward major donors, foundations, corporate partners, and grant-making organizations.
• Secure major gifts and institutional funding through thoughtful cultivation and stewardship.
• Identify and pursue new revenue streams, including innovative funding models.
• Build long-term strategic partnerships with philanthropic institutions, health-focused organizations, and research funders.
• Develop annual revenue targets, pipelines, and dashboards to track progress against multi-year goals.
• Work cross-functionally to facilitate various fundraising opportunities and initiatives.
• Partner with communications to amplify our message through campaigns, events, and strategic initiatives.

What You’ll Bring 

We’re seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial leader who thrives at the intersection of philanthropy, innovation, and impact. The ideal candidate will bring:

• Experience: 8+ years in philanthropy, fundraising, or development leadership, ideally within a nonprofit, foundation, academic, or research institution.
• Track Record: Proven success in cultivating, securing, and stewarding major gifts and institutional partnerships.
• Leadership: Ability to build systems, teams, and cultures that empower people to excel.
• Vision: A strategic mindset with the creativity to design new funding models and partnerships.
• Storytelling: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to inspire diverse stakeholders.
• Mission Alignment: Deep commitment to science, public benefit, and equity in access to knowledge.

About Us

23andMe, headquartered in California, is a leading consumer genetics and research company. The company’s mission is to help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome. 23andMe has pioneered direct access to genetic information as the only company with multiple FDA authorizations for genetic health risk reports. The company has created the world’s largest crowdsourced platform for genetic research, with 80 percent of its customers electing to participate. 23andMe research participants consent to research conducted by 23andMe which is overseen by an independent third-party Institutional Review Board (IRB) regulated under the 'Common Rule' (45 CFR part 46). More information is available at www.23andme.com/research.

At 23andMe, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.  If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at accommodations-ext@23andme.com. 23andMe will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.

Please note: 23andMe does not accept agency resumes and we are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. Thank you.