Sr. Development Director

American Heart Association, Inc.; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Heart Association in Knoxville, Tennessee, seeks a Sr. Development Director to drive revenue for Go Red for Women and Heart Ball campaigns. The role reports to the Executive Director, with a hybrid schedule and regular market travel.

The ideal candidate will lead fundraising efforts and develop partnerships that advance life-saving missions. Responsibilities include building sponsor and donor networks, recruiting and mentoring staff, and coordinating with internal teams to execute

Qualifications

• 5+ years of fundraising experience or related field.
• Track record of exceeding fundraising goals.
• Proven ability to recruit, train, direct, and supervise staff.
• Experience building partnerships with corporate leaders and senior volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Develop fundraising strategies for the Heart Ball and Go Red for Women campaigns to meet revenue and engagement goals.
• Cultivate corporate sponsors, major donors, and community partners with a strong pipeline.
• Recruit and mobilize campaign chairs, committee members, and volunteers.
• Prepare proposals and presentations to secure financial support and partnerships.
• Oversee staff supervision, training, and performance for Go Red for Women Development Director.

Skills

Fundraising

Sales

Stakeholder management

Staff supervision

Donor relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

CRM software

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 a Sr. Development Director in our Knoxville, Tennessee market! The Sr. Director will generate revenue for our Go Red for Women and Heart of Knoxville (Heart Ball) fundraising campaigns.

In this role, you will report to the Executive Director. This role is hybrid, reporting to the office three days per week. The ideal candidate will live in the Knoxville market; daily travel within the market is required.

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

• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies for the Heart Ball and Go Red for Women campaigns to achieve and exceed revenue, sponsorship, participant, and engagement goals.
• Generate revenue by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding corporate sponsors, major donors, and community partners, while maintaining a strong pipeline of prospective supporters aligned with the Association's mission.
• Engage, recruit, and mobilize CEOs, corporate executives, and community leaders to serve as campaign chairs, committee members, and volunteer leaders, fostering both personal and corporate philanthropic support.
• Develop and deliver compelling proposals, presentations, and other materials to secure financial support, volunteer engagement, and strategic partnerships.
• Provide leadership, coaching, performance management, and professional development for the Go Red for Women Development Director, including responsibility for hiring, training, evaluation, and other supervisory functions.
• Partner with the Event Planning Coordinator, volunteers, and internal teams to plan and execute successful fundraising, stewardship, and cultivation events.
• Collaborate with Communications, regional, and national staff to align campaign messaging, fundraising strategies, and organizational priorities.
• Lead efforts to grow participation in the Cor Vitae giving society and deepen donor engagement across campaign initiatives.
• Maintain accountability for revenue forecasting, GAP reporting, donor and volunteer management, and accurate tracking of activity and outcomes within CRM and Microsoft systems.

Qualifications

• 5 years of relevant experience in fundraising, sales, or other related experience
• University/College degree or equivalent experience
• Track record in exceeding sales/fundraising goals
• Proven ability to recruit, train, direct, and supervise staff in a team environment
• Demonstrated experience in building powerful partnerships with corporate leaders and senior-level volunteers