Senior Development Director

Overview

Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.

We are currently hiring a Sr. Development Director in our Knoxville, Tennessee market! The Sr. Director will generate revenue for our Go Red for Women and Heart of Knoxville (Heart Ball) fundraising campaigns.

In this role, you will report to the Executive Director. This role is hybrid. The ideal candidate will live in the Knoxville market; daily travel within the market is required.

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.

#TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and at heart.jobs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies for the Heart Ball and Go Red for Women campaigns to achieve and exceed revenue, sponsorship, participant, and engagement goals.
• Generate revenue by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding corporate sponsors, major donors, and community partners, while maintaining a strong pipeline of prospective supporters aligned with the Association's mission.
• Engage, recruit, and mobilize CEOs, corporate executives, and community leaders to serve as campaign chairs, committee members, and volunteer leaders, fostering both personal and corporate philanthropic support.
• Develop and deliver compelling proposals, presentations, and other materials to secure financial support, volunteer engagement, and strategic partnerships.
• Provide leadership, coaching, performance management, and professional development for the Go Red for Women Development Director, including responsibility for hiring, training, evaluation, and other supervisory functions.
• Partner with the Event Planning Coordinator, volunteers, and internal teams to plan and execute successful fundraising, stewardship, and cultivation events.
• Collaborate with Communications, regional, and national staff to align campaign messaging, fundraising strategies, and organizational priorities.
• Lead efforts to grow participation in the Cor Vitae giving society and deepen donor engagement across campaign initiatives.
• Maintain accountability for revenue forecasting, GAP reporting, donor and volunteer management, and accurate tracking of activity and outcomes within CRM and Microsoft systems.

Qualifications

• 5 years of relevant experience in fundraising, sales, or other related experience
• University/College degree or equivalent experience
• Track record in exceeding sales/fundraising goals
• Proven ability to recruit, train, direct, and supervise staff in a team environment
• Demonstrated experience in building powerful partnerships with corporate leaders and senior-level volunteers
• Consistent track record of cultivating major donors, securing city-wide sponsorships, and recruiting new companies and donors.
• Direct knowledge of special event fundraising tactics
• Display exceptional organizational, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills including large and small group presentations
• Ability to do daily local travel up to 75% and some overnight trips as needed; requires access to reliable transportation at all times on an immediate basis
• Ability to lift and/or move large objects (such as boxes) with the expectation that heavier items would be broken down into smaller components or requesting additional assistance may be required before lifting and/or moving
• Must have at least basic knowledge and skill/proficiency with Microsoft Office

Here are some of the preferred experience and skills we are seeking:

• Experience managing and cultivating high-level leaders at the C-Suite level
• Knowledge of corporate and community networks

Compensation & Benefits

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package.  Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary.  That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
• Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success through annual salary planning and incentive programs; this position is incentive eligible based on achieving certain targets.  
• Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution.  As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
• Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program.  Heart U is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
• Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees.  The number of days will increase based on seniority level.  You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
• Tuition Assistance - We support the career development of all employees.  This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.

 

The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities.This position not a match with your skills?  Click here to see other opportunities.

In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities

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