Sr. Development Director

American Heart Association • Knoxville, TN

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Development Director generates revenue for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women and Heart of Knoxville (Heart Ball) fundraising campaigns. The role develops and executes fundraising strategies, cultivates corporate sponsors and major donors, and mobilizes community and corporate leaders to support campaign goals. It also supervises the Go Red for Women Development Director and partners with volunteers, event planning, communications, and regional and national teams.

The position reports to the Executive Director and is hybrid, with three office days per week. The ideal candidate lives in the Knoxville market. Daily local travel is required, potentially up to 75%, with occasional overnight trips as needed. The role includes fundraising events and may require lifting or moving large objects, with assistance or smaller loads as appropriate.

The Association provides training and professional development resources, including Heart U, along with a total rewards package that includes insurance, retirement contributions, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition assistance, and other programs.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in fundraising, sales, or related work.
• University or college degree, or equivalent experience.
• Track record of exceeding sales or fundraising goals.
• Ability to recruit, train, direct, and supervise staff in a team environment.
• Experience building partnerships with corporate leaders and senior-level volunteers.
• Track record of cultivating major donors, securing city-wide sponsorships, and recruiting new companies and donors.
• Direct knowledge of special event fundraising tactics.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to present to large and small groups.
• Ability to travel locally daily, up to 75%, and take some overnight trips as needed; access to reliable transportation at all times on an immediate basis is required.
• Ability to lift and/or move large objects such as boxes; heavier items may need to be divided into smaller components or assistance requested.
• At least basic knowledge and skill or proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing and cultivating high-level leaders at the C-suite level.
• Knowledge of corporate and community networks.

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.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate sponsors, major donors, and community partners, maintaining a pipeline of prospective supporters aligned with the Association’s mission.
• Engage, recruit, and mobilize CEOs, corporate executives, and community leaders as campaign chairs, committee members, and volunteer leaders.
• Develop and deliver proposals, presentations, and other materials to secure financial support, volunteer engagement, and strategic partnerships.
• Lead, coach, and manage the professional development and performance of the Go Red for Women Development Director, including hiring, training, and evaluation.
• Partner with the Event Planning Coordinator, volunteers, and internal teams to plan and execute fundraising, stewardship, and cultivation events.
• Collaborate with Communications and regional and national staff to align campaign messaging, fundraising strategies, and organizational priorities.
• Grow participation in the Cor Vitae giving society and deepen donor engagement across campaign initiatives.
• Manage revenue forecasting, GAP reporting, donor and volunteer management, and accurate tracking of activity and outcomes in CRM and Microsoft systems.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Retirement program with employer match and automatic contribution.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee wellness program and telemedicine and medical consultation.
• Professional mentoring program and Employee Resource Groups.
• Heart U national online university and professional development resources.
• Paid time off of at least 16 days per year for new employees, increasing with seniority.
• 12 paid holidays each year, including several days off at the end of the year.
• Tuition assistance for education related to current or potential future duties and positions.
• Incentive eligibility based on achieving certain targets.

What This Job Offers

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