Senior Director, Gift Processing & Data Operations Transformation

American Red Cross; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental Vision

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

PTO

Holidays

401K

Paid Family Leave

Employee Assistance

Disability Insurance

Service Awards

Job summary

American Red Cross seeks a senior leader to transform gift processing and fundraising data operations into an automation-first, scalable model. You will drive AI-enabled improvements, partner with cross-functional teams, and lead a ~30-person organization across processing and QA to improve efficiency and compliance.

Responsibilities include defining a multi-year transformation roadmap, ensuring data integrity, and delivering scalable data solutions aligned with enterprise strategies, all while

Qualifications

• 10+ years in fundraising operations, financial operations, shared services, or similar high-volume processing environments.
• Proven experience leading business transformation, automation, or digital initiatives.
• Experience with AI, intelligent automation, or advanced analytics preferred.
• Strong background in regulated environments with compliance and audit requirements.
• 7+ years of leadership experience managing teams and/or vendor-based delivery models.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end transformation of gift processing into an automation-first, scalable model.
• Oversee data quality, governance and compliance for donor and gift data.
• Partner with IT, Fundraising and Finance to align on reporting and attribution.
• Manage a team of ~30 staff across processing, case management and QA.
• Drive KPI tracking like cost per transaction, automation rate and cycle times.

Skills

Fundraising operations

Automation transformation

AI / intelligent automation

Data governance

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description:

Joining The American Red Cross is like nothing else - it's as much something you feel as something you do. You become a vital part of the world's largest humanitarian network. Joining a team of welcoming individuals who are exceptional, yet unassuming. Diverse, yet uncompromising in unity. You grow your career within a movement that matters, where success is measured in people helped, communities made whole, and individuals equipped to never stop changing lives and situations for the better.

Where Your Career is a Force for Good!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

The Senior Director leads end-to-end gift processing and fundraising data operations, with accountability for transforming these functions into a digitally enabled, automation-first operating model. This role drives improvements in efficiency, quality, compliance, and scalability through the adoption of intelligent automation, AI, and data-driven practices.

The leader will define and execute a multi-year transformation roadmap, modernizing high-volume transaction processing and enabling effective human-AI collaboration across teams. This role partners closely with Fundraising, Finance, Technology, and Legal to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and regulatory requirements.

WHERE YOUR CAREER IS A FORCE GOOD:

Transformation & Strategy

• Lead transformation of gift processing into an automation-first, scalable model
• Redesign end-to-end processes to enable straight-through processing and reduce manual effort
• Identify and implement AI and intelligent automation solutions to improve cost, speed, and accuracy
• Drive business value capture by tracking and improving performance of key performance indicators (KPI) such as cost per transaction, automation rate, error rate, cycle times, donor matching, and gift linking improvements.

Operations Leadership

• Oversee accurate, timely, and compliant processing of donations across internal teams and vendors
• Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams (~30 staff) across processing, case management, and QA
• Drive continuous improvement, standardization, and operational efficiency
• Manage vendor performance and operating budgets

Data Quality, Governance & Compliance

• Ensure integrity, accuracy, and governance of donor and gift data
• Maintain strong internal controls, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance
• Oversee quality assurance frameworks and performance monitoring

Technology & Partnership

• Partner with IT and data teams to deliver scalable processing and data solutions
• Collaborate with Fundraising and Finance to improve attribution, reporting, and donor experience
• Align operations with enterprise data and technology strategies

Leadership & Change

• Lead organizational change and adoption of new technologies and workflows
• Build a high-performing, future-ready team with strong data and digital capabilities
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

Scope

Enterprise accountability for Gift Processing and Fundraising Data Operations, including transformation strategy, operational performance, data governance, and vendor delivery. Responsible for scaling operations to support growth without proportional cost increases

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

• 10+ years in fundraising operations, financial operations, shared services, or similar high-volume processing environments
• Proven experience leading business transformation, automation, or digital initiatives
• Experience with AI, intelligent automation, or advanced analytics preferred
• Strong background in regulated environments with compliance and audit requirements
• 7+ years of leadership experience managing teams and/or vendor-based delivery models.

*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 (Management experience cannot be substituted).

Skills & Abilities

• Expertise in process transformation and automation-first operating models
• Working knowledge of AI, intelligent automation, and data-driven operations
• Strong data orientation, including KPIs, performance management, and data governance
• Strategic leadership with ability to influence across business and technology stakeholders
• Proven ability to lead change and build high-performing teams

Additional Information

• Travel: Up to 10-20%
• Work Environment: Flexible, team-oriented environment
• 100% Fully virtual remote position will work Eastern time hours (candidates can live anywhere in the US)

This position is NOT eligible for relocation.

The salary range for this position is $140,000-$160,000/yr.

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.

This position will posted for at least 5-days.

BENEFITS FOR YOU:

As a mission-based organization, we believe our team needs great support to do great work. Our comprehensive package includes:

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

Responsibilities:1: Formulate strategy in the development and implementation of programs, evaluate overall activities of programs to ensure consistency with the direction of the organization, and exercise control over management personnel responsible for specific programs.2: Ensure consistent delivery of programs, quality and growth of programs and the integration with other programs within the organization.3: Review program to ensure progress is being accomplished toward overall program objectives and make change recommendations based on business needs.4: Develop and implement short and long-term strategies to integrate priorities into the overall organization business plan and manage the execution of those strategies.5: May work in conjunction with internal departments and external government and/or non-government agencies in the development of grant procurement and/or fundraising strategies.6: Work with internal and external peers, vendors, contractors, etc.7: Hire, manage, and evaluate direct and indirect staff. Direct staff, to includes Directors, in the development and implementation of departmental policies, procedures and programs.----------------------Scope: Establish policies appropriate for the function. Interpret and recommend modifications to company-wide policies and practices.----------------------Qualifications:Education: Bachelor's degree required.Experience: Minimum 10 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and related experience required.Management Experience: 7 years of management experience.Skills & Abilities: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to think critically and strategically required. The ability to develop and implement an organizational vision which integrates key American Red Cross goals, priorities, values, and other factors is critical. Candidate must demonstrate the ability to balance change and continuity--to continually strive to improve customer focus and organizational performance within the Red Cross framework, to create a work environment that encourages innovation, and to maintain focus, intensity and persistence, even under adversity. The ability to develop and implement strategies which develop direct reports and others in the organization, and foster integrity and trust in meeting the organizations vision, mission, and goals and the ability to make timely and effective decisions and produce results through strategic planning and the implementation and evaluation of programs and policies is required. Demonstrated ability to acquire and administer human, financial, material, and information resources in a manner which instills public trust and to use new technology to enhance decision making wile fostering an environment of accountability and continuous improvements. The ability to explain, advocate and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner, and negotiate with individuals and groups internally and externally is required. It also involves the ability to develop an expansive professional network with other organizations, and to identify the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization and the ability to hammer out tough agreements and settle disputes equitably. Must be able to read situations quickly and listening with focus. Ability to work on a team.Travel: Travel may be required 10-20%.* 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 (Management experience cannot be substituted).----------------------Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The work environment will consist of moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phones and printers, light traffic). The employee must have the ability to work in a small cubicle and have the ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time. 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 so classified.

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.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency that brings people together through service, and its partners - the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps Alums, National Peace Corps Association, and the Service Year Alliance - launched Employers of National Service to connect national service alumni with opportunities in the workforce.American Red Cross is proud to be an EONS partner and share our employment opportunities with the network of organizations.

Interested in Volunteering? Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn more, including our most-needed volunteer positions.