Marketing Communications Manager - Donor Engagement

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.

The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a Marketing Communications Manager, Donor Engagement in our Mission Advancement department.

This position can be home-based within the U.S.

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

This individual serves as the strategic implementer of an integrated portfolio of donor-facing communications for non-cash, planned, and legacy-giving audiences. This role leads the development and delivery of multi-channel marketing and stewardship communications designed to educate, inspire, and move donors, prospects, and volunteers along the giving journey, from early interest through sustained engagement.

Responsible for planning, producing, and leading a high volume of coordinated promotion and engagement communications across print, digital, email, web, events, and social channels. This role requires a highly organized, self-directed communicator who can translate complex giving concepts into clear, compelling content while leading multiple initiatives simultaneously and collaborating across teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Integrated Donor Communications & Journey Management

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive donor communication strategies supporting non-cash and legacy giving audiences across the full engagement lifecycle, including education, cultivation, and stewardship.
• Plan and lead multi-channel donor journeys incorporating direct mail, email, web, social media, newsletters, and virtual experiences to support both prospect nurturing and ongoing donor engagement.
• Implement both “cool” and “warm” lead‑nurturing strategies, ensuring coordinated messaging, timing, and audience targeting.

Content Development & Production Leadership

• Lead all aspects of the creation of donor-facing materials such as brochures, booklets, one-pagers, newsletters, surveys, and digital assets, ensuring accuracy, clarity, brand alignment, and emotional resonance.
• Serve as lead writer and designer (or partner with internal/external designers as appropriate) for select communication vehicles, including newsletters and email campaigns.
• Strategize on and integrate donor story spotlights and impact narratives across appropriate communications to demonstrate mission value and donor impact.

Email, Digital & Web Strategy

• Create, lead, and deploy donor email campaigns, e‑chases, automated journeys, and anniversary or breakthrough outreach.
• Develop and maintain planned giving and donor-focused webpages, including lead-generation elements and supporting content.
• Collaborate with internal partners to ensure all external digital communications are supported by timely and accurate internal notification and drop communications.

Events, Webinars & Engagement Experiences

• Plan, lead, and implement virtual and in-person experiences, including all pre- and post-event communications and follow-up.  
• Ensure seamless integration between event experiences and ongoing donor journeys.

Analytics, Optimization & Reporting

• Track, analyze, and report on email performance, donor engagement metrics, and journey effectiveness.
• Use insights and data to inform ongoing optimization of messaging, sequencing, and channel strategy.
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and quality of data within projects and areas of responsibility.

Internal Communications & Collaboration

• Support internal communications and knowledge-sharing related to donor outreach initiatives, including select internal newsletters and staff-facing updates.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with fundraising, donor relations, digital, and analytics partners to ensure alignment with organizational goals and donor engagement strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience.
• Experience in a communications, marketing, or public relations role, with a national scope preferred.
• Experience leading communications, project management, and editorial planning.
• Experience working with volunteers and donors, with a working understanding of fundraising.
• Highly organized, with a proven track record of leading complex projects, multitasking, and setting priorities.
• Strong writer with excellent written and verbal communication skills, adaptable to a variety of media.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think critically and with context.
• Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision.
• Solid computer skills with the capability to master new software applications and technologies. Excellent skills in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint required. 
• Ability to engage all major, principal, and planned donor types, and to collaborate with partners across departments and/or teams.
• Experience producing work for and/or with senior leadership and/or executives.
• Ability to advance and align with established strategy and/or vision, with the ability to take direction while also contributing ideas and value.
• Experience writing in AP style and adherence to editorial and branding guidelines.
• Ability to travel up to 5% locally and overnight.

Preferred Experience:

• Five (5) - Eight (8) years of experience.
• Prior experience in a non-profit setting, national level preferred.
• Experience working with donors and volunteers in a philanthropy setting, with further preference for experience with major and planned giving.
• Working in a collaborative setting.
• Knowledge of design, such as Canva, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, or other similar platforms.
• Ability to demonstrate the data to support content development decisions.  
• Experience navigating the complexities of a large, matrixed organization.
• Experience providing updates in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary minimum to the midpoint of the range is $69,300.00 to $90,000.00. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials may apply to the pay range. The American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range. 

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; eligibility for an incentive program is based on the type of position. 
• 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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