Director, Development

American Red Cross; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 137,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental & Vision

PTO 15 days

Holidays

401k match

Family leave

Employee Assistance

Job summary

American Red Cross in Los Angeles is seeking a Senior Development Manager to partner with fundraising leadership, driving a revenue-oriented culture and meeting a $17M target while growing the donor base.

You will lead staff and volunteers, manage major donor portfolios, and execute regional fundraising strategies aligning with our life-saving mission across communities. This role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and donor relationship expertise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree highly desirable.
• 7+ years of sales or fundraising experience; increasing philanthropic revenue.
• 5 years of management experience; leadership in fundraising teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute regional fundraising strategies to grow revenue.
• Manage major donor portfolios and cultivate donor relationships.
• Lead staff and volunteers and ensure compliance with reporting in Salesforce.
• Partner with fundraising leadership to drive revenue-oriented culture.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Fundraising leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

MS Office

Raiser’s Edge

Salesforce

Job description

As a Senior Development Manager at the American Red Cross, you will partner with fundraising leadership to drive a strong revenue‑oriented culture, strengthen and grow the donor base, and meet assigned financial targets of over $17 million. You will lead staff and volunteers, manage major donor portfolios, and execute regional fundraising strategies that align with our mission to deliver lifesaving services across communities.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Growth – develop and execute annual and multi‑year strategies to increase regional revenue, expand blood drive sponsorships, and diversify the donor base.
• Major Donor Portfolio Management
  • Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects to achieve annual fundraising goals through renewed contributions and new revenue generation.
  • Develop and implement donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Major Gifts & Philanthropic Development
  • Create and implement strategies to grow major gift revenue and maximize philanthropic support.
  • Collaborate with internal partners on planned giving initiatives and support segment‑specific priorities.
• Donor Relations & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with major donors, serving as a primary liaison and participating in joint donor visits as appropriate.
  • Partner with regional and national development teams to maximize fundraising opportunities.
• Campaign Leadership & Operations
  • Lead regional fundraising campaigns and support cross‑segment initiatives in partnership with senior leadership.
  • Ensure compliance with reporting requirements and maintain accurate donor records in Salesforce.
• Team Leadership & Talent Development
  • Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management for fundraising staff and volunteers.
  • Establish individual and team goals, support professional development, and foster a culture of accountability.
• Disaster Relief Fundraising – lead and support disaster‑relief initiatives as needed, responding effectively to emergency situations and increased fundraising demands.
• Travel Requirements – travel within the region as needed to meet with donors, partners, and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Education – Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree highly desirable.
• Experience – Minimum 7 years of sales or fundraising experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with increasing philanthropic revenue, broad‑based fundraising programs, and knowledge of best practices.
• Management Experience – 5 years of management experience.
• Skills & Abilities – Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written skills; ability to work effectively with multiple constituencies; proficiency with MS Office and fundraising databases such as Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce.
• Travel – Requires frequent travel within the region; occasional travel within the division may be required.
• Driver – Current valid driver’s license and good driving record.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $135,000 – $137,300. Eligible for an incentive plan based on individual and organizational performance.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision plans
• Health Spending Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off – starting at 15 days a year, based on tenure
• Holidays – 11 paid holidays, including core and floating holidays
• 401(k) with 6% match
• Paid Family Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability Insurance
• Service awards and recognition

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel in this role.

The American Red Cross is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable state and local fair chance ordinances.