Development Director

American Heart Association; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 87,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan with employer match

Employee wellness program

Telemedicine

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The American Heart Association in Chicago is seeking a Development Director to lead Impact campaigns, recruit fundraising volunteers, secure contributions, cultivate individual donors, and manage special events. The Director reports to the Senior Development Director for Impact Campaigns and works in a hybrid office setting.

This full-time role offers a base salary with an incentive potential up to 25% of base pay, plus access to Heart U and additional training and support to advance our mission.

Qualifications

• 3 years of fundraising, sales, or related experience
• University/College degree or equivalent experience
• Ability to travel locally up to 70% and some overnight trips; reliable transportation
• Ability to lift/move large objects as needed; heavier items may need assistance
• Must have basic knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft Office

Responsibilities

• Drive peer-to-peer fundraising to achieve revenue goals and secure contributions; document meetings and results
• Recruit, engage, and recognize volunteers; provide orientation, training, and development
• Build partnerships with external and internal stakeholders
• Identify and network with key donors and volunteers; collaborate with staff to broaden the network and increase campaign income
• Cultivate donors to increase engagement and giving
• Coordinate local donor cultivation events and manage event logistics

Skills

Fundraising

Donor cultivation

Event planning

Sales

Education

University/College degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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 for a Development Director in Chicago! The Director is responsible for leading aspects of our Impact campaigns. This will include recruiting fundraising volunteers, securing financial contributions toward advancing our mission, individual donor cultivation, and special event implementation. The Director will report to the Senior Development Director for Impact Campaigns.

This is a full-time, office-based position with a hybrid schedule!

We have a fast-paced sales type of environment with the main responsibility of driving revenue in support of our mission. We offer a base salary with the potential to earn an incentive up to 25% of your base pay. The potential incentive is based on achieving certain revenue targets and triggers.

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

• Drive peer-to-peer fundraising to achieve overall revenue goals. Secure financial contributions by conducting exploratory meetings and revenue generation-focused sales calls. Appropriately documents scheduled appointments and results.

• Volunteer recruitment, engagement, and recognition: Recruit volunteers to participate in peer to peer fundraising campaigns. Ensure high-level volunteers are recruited and provided effective orientation, training and development.

• Build powerful partnerships externally and internally.

• Identify and network with key donors and volunteers. Work collaboratively with volunteers and donors as well as internal staff to broaden the volunteer network and increase mission impact and campaign income.

• Cultivate donors to increase engagement and giving.

• Coordinate local donor cultivation events and prospect high-impact donors and volunteers. Handle event logistics.

Qualifications

• 3 years of relevant experience in fundraising, sales, or other related experience

• University/College degree or equivalent experience

• Ability to do daily local travel up to 70% 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

Salary minimum to the midpoint of the range is $68,000 to $87,700. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials to the pay range may apply. 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; 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

#LI-Hybrid

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Location : US-IL-Chicago

Posted Date 3 days ago (7/29/2026 11:18 AM)

Requisition ID 2025-16863

Job Category Field Campaigns

Position Type Full Time