Senior Director, Gift Processing & Data Operations Transformation

americanredcross; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

American Red Cross is seeking a Senior Director to lead end-to-end gift processing and fundraising data operations. The role focuses on transforming operations into an automation-first model, delivering regulatory-compliant processing at scale and partnering with Finance, IT, and Legal to align with organizational priorities.

You will oversee a team of ~30 staff across processing, case management, and QA, driving continuous improvement and governance while scaling for growth in a complex,

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.

Responsibilities

• 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 KPI performance such as cost per transaction, automation rate, error rate, cycle times, donor matching, and gift linking improvements.
• Oversee accurate, timely, and compliant processing of donations across internal teams and vendors.

Skills

Automation leadership

AI & data analytics

Process transformation

Regulated environments

Vendor management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

CRM systems

Data governance tools

Job description

Please use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox when accessing Candidate Home.

By joining the American Red Cross you will touch millions of lives every year and experience the greatness of the human spirit at its best. Are you ready to be part of the world's largest humanitarian network?

Join us-Where your Career is a Force for Good!

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.

When you choose to be a force for good, you'll have mentors who empower your growth along a purposeful career path. You align your life's work with an ongoing mission that's bigger than all of us. As you care for others, you're cared for with competitive compensation and benefits. You join a community that respects who you are away from work as much as what you do while at work.

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