Regional Chief Development Officer

American Red Cross • Anchorage, AK

22d • $130,000 - $140,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The American Red Cross is seeking a Regional Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead its development efforts in Alaska. This pivotal leadership role involves driving a strong, revenue-focused culture, expanding the donor base, and achieving ambitious fundraising targets. The CDO will shape strategy, engage with major donors, sponsors, and community stakeholders to build partnerships and deliver measurable impact. This position offers the opportunity to lead life-saving programs and strengthen communities, making a lasting difference.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree is highly desirable.
• Deep fundraising experience within the Alaskan giving community and cultural awareness.
• Demonstrated ability to engage corporations, community partners, and philanthropic networks across the area.

Responsibilities

• Set and Execute a Bold Regional Fundraising Strategy: Design and lead annual and multi-year fundraising strategies to sustain and grow the Region’s donor base and expand 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.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

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