Regional Chief Development Officer

American Red Cross • Houston, TX

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The American Red Cross is seeking a dynamic and strategic fundraising leader to serve as the Regional Chief Development Officer (CDO) for our Texas Gulf Coast Region. In this high-profile role, you’ll drive philanthropic growth, cultivate major donor relationships, and lead a talented team of fundraisers to achieve ambitious financial goals that support our lifesaving mission. Make a lasting impact. Lead with purpose. As the Regional CDO, you’ll be at the forefront of our development efforts, responsible for designing and executing multi-year fundraising strategies to grow annual revenue and build a sustainable donor base. You will guide a team of five Philanthropy Officers and engage leadership volunteers to implement effective fundraising strategies. You will serve as the primary liaison for the Board’s Philanthropy Committee, supporting members in their fundraising roles. You will oversee implementation of organizational campaigns in the region. You will act as a senior leader in the Region and direct the Regional Development team with respect to strategic decisions for the organization; ensure that the Region meets all reporting requirements related to fundraising. You will be accountable for achieving or exceeding the Region’s minimum fundraising target ($8M/year and below), and managing to meet the fundraising expense target. Revenue target may increase due to major domestic disasters. You will cultivate relationships and serve as the primary staff liaison for representatives of large corporations and foundations for solicitation and stewardship purposes. You will collaborate with national headquarters development and donor recruitment staff to identify and maximize fundraising opportunities. You will orient new Board members to their fundraising responsibilities and ensure they receive the necessary support to be successful volunteer fundraisers. You will personally manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors ($5,000+), leading face-to-face solicitations and stewardship efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 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.
• Five years of management experience.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and strategic planning abilities.
• Proficiency in MS Office and fundraising CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce).
• Frequent travel within the Gulf Coast Region; occasional travel to divisional offices and Washington, D.C.
• A current valid driver's license and good driving record is required.
• 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).

Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-year fundraising strategies to grow annual revenue and build a sustainable donor base.
• Guide a team of five Philanthropy Officers and engage leadership volunteers to implement effective fundraising strategies.
• Serve as the primary liaison for the Board’s Philanthropy Committee, supporting members in their fundraising roles.
• Oversee implementation of organizational campaigns in the region.
• Act as a senior leader in the Region and direct the Regional Development team with respect to strategic decisions for the organization; ensure that the Region meets all reporting requirements related to fundraising.
• Accountable for achieving or exceeding Region’s minimum fundraising target ($8M/year and below), and managing to meet the fundraising expense target.
• Cultivate relationships and serve as the primary staff liaison for representatives of large corporations and foundations for solicitation and stewardship purposes.
• Collaborate with national headquarters development and donor recruitment staff to identify and maximize fundraising opportunities.
• Orient new Board members to their fundraising responsibilities and ensure they receive the necessary support to be successful volunteer fundraisers.
• Personally manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors ($5,000+), leading face-to-face solicitations and stewardship efforts.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental Vision plans
• Health Spending Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts
• PTO (Paid Time Off): Starting at 15 days a year; based on FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) 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 Program
• Disability and Insurance: Short + Long Term
• Service Awards and recognition
• Relocation assistance is available for this position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior