Regional Chief Development Officer

American Red Cross; Alaska; On-site; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision plans

401K with 6% match

PTO starting at 15 days per year

Job summary

The American Red Cross is seeking a Fundraising Leader in Anchorage, Alaska to drive major gifts and fundraising strategies. This role is pivotal in managing a diverse donor base and exceeding annual goals of $1.3 million while leading a dedicated team.

The ideal candidate will have 7+ years of fundraising experience and excel in building relationships with stakeholders. The position includes competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of fundraising leadership experience or equivalent.
• Strong record in increasing philanthropic revenue from diverse sources.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design annual and multi-year fundraising strategies.
• Drive a major gifts program with accountability for fundraising results.
• Lead a team and manage donor relationships effectively.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Salesforce proficiency

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Tools

MS Office

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Position Overview

At the American Red Cross, your leadership will directly support life‑saving programs and strengthen communities across Alaska and beyond. This is more than a career—it’s an opportunity to lead with purpose and make a lasting difference.

Join our team in Anchorage, where you’ll play a pivotal leadership role in advancing a dynamic, mission‑driven development program. As a key regional leader, you will drive a strong, revenue‑focused culture grounded in market‑driven goals, expanding and strengthening a diverse donor base to achieve ambitious annual fundraising targets. This role offers the opportunity to shape strategy, while actively engaging with major donors, sponsors, and community stakeholders to build meaningful partnerships and deliver measurable impact.

Set and Execute a Bold Regional Fundraising Strategy

• Design and lead annual and multi‑year fundraising strategies that sustain and significantly grow the Region’s donor base while expanding new corporate, individual, and foundation relationships.
• Partner closely with the Regional CEO, Divisional Fundraising Vice President, Chapter Executive Directors, and Chapter Boards to align fundraising priorities with regional mission impact, market opportunity, and organizational growth.
• Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and accountability measures that drive a revenue‑oriented culture across the Region.

Lead and Be Accountable for a Portfolio Based Major Gifts Program

• Own and be fully accountable for all regional fundraising results within a portfolio‑based major gifts model.
• Provide key leadership, expectations, standards, and accountability for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects with emphasis on transformational giving.
• Ensure strategic solicitation planning, rigorous performance management, and strong stewardship practices that result in sustained donor engagement and long‑term revenue growth.

Achieve and Grow Significant Fundraising Targets

• Maintain full accountability for achieving or exceeding the Region’s annual fundraising goal, currently exceeding $1.3 million annually, while managing departmental expense budgets.
• Navigate dynamic revenue environments, including increased targets during major domestic disasters, with agility, discipline, and confidence. Monitor monthly, quarterly, and annual performance of team members and channels and adjust strategies as needed to ensure sustained success.

Lead and Scale a High Impact Individual Major Gifts Donor Program

• Drive growth in individual giving and partnership strategies through dynamic annual and multiyear plans that grow revenue, deepen engagement, and diversify the donor base.
• Set a high standard for strategic discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and world‑class stewardship to consistently exceed regional goals.

Mobilize Boards and Volunteer Leaders for Philanthropic Impact

• Act as the fundraising subject matter expert and as the primary liaison between the development team and Regional Board Philanthropy Committees supporting Chapter Boards in fulfilling their fundraising responsibilities.
• Support orientation and ongoing engagement of new board members with a clear focus on philanthropic leadership.

Build, Develop, and Inspire a High Performing Team

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for a one staff member, a Regional Philanthropy Officer.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and performance‑driven culture focused on professional growth, accountability, and shared success.

Lead Effectively During Disaster and High‑Demand Environments (Grey Skies)

• During grey skies—when disasters are unfolding locally and nationally—lead with discipline and urgency through swift execution, prioritization of donor relationships, and modeling resilience.
• Manage with clarity and accountability, coaching through uncertainty, sustaining morale and driving both restricted and unrestricted fundraising to meet the moment.

Ensure Excellence in Systems, Stewardship, and Reporting

• Oversee disciplined donor management practices, ensuring all fundraising activity and gifts are accurately and timely recorded in Salesforce.
• Maintain compliance with all reporting and relationship management requirements while using data and insights to inform strategy, improve performance, and strengthen donor relationships.

What You Need To Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree is highly desirable.
• Minimum 7 years of fundraising leadership experience or equivalent combination of education and related experience required. Experience with increasing philanthropic revenue from diverse constituencies, developing and implementing broad‑based fundraising programs, and knowledge of “best practices” in development.
• A current valid driver’s license and good driving record is required.
• Five years of management experience.
• Skills & Abilities: Ability to relate well and work effectively with multiple constituencies and audiences. Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written skills. Knowledge of office systems: MS Office preferred and fundraising database systems (e.g. Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce.com). Ability to work on a team within a collaborative environment and ensure the highest customer service orientation.
• Travel: Requires frequent travel within the Region. Occasional travel within the Division and to a national conference annually. (Fleet vehicles are available for travel in the region)
• Combination of candidate’s education and general experience satisfies requirements so long as the total years equate to description’s minimum education and general experience years combined.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $140,000. You will be eligible to participate in an incentive plan based on annual individual and organization performance. Note that American Red Cross salaries are aligned to the specific geographic location in which the work is primarily performed. Other factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, how many years of experience you have, and comparison to other employees already in this role.

Benefits for You

• Medical, Dental, Vision plans
• Health Spending Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts
• PTO: Starting at 15 days a year; based on FLSA status and tenure
• Holidays: 11 paid holidays comprised of six core holidays and five floating holidays
• 401K with 6% match
• Paid Family Leave
• Employee Assistance
• Disability and Insurance: Short + Long Term
• Service Awards and recognition

Physical Requirement

Physical requirements are those present in normal office environment conditions. Operational flexibility is required to meet sudden and unpredictable needs. Ability to use a personal computer, applicable software, and office equipment for sustained periods of time. May include sitting for long periods of time, driving a vehicle, and working under challenging conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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 the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, San Diego Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and any other applicable state and local laws. American Red Cross is a partner of the Employer of National Service network.

To view the EEOC Summary of Rights, click here: Summary of Rights