Sr. Development Director

American Heart Association • Knoxville, TN

3d • 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, builds relationships with corporate sponsors, major donors, and community partners, and engages executives and community leaders as campaign and volunteer leaders. It reports to the Executive Director and is based in the Knoxville, Tennessee market in a hybrid arrangement. The ideal candidate lives in the Knoxville market; daily local travel is required, with some overnight trips as needed.

The position supervises the Go Red for Women Development Director and works with volunteers, event-planning staff, and internal teams to deliver fundraising and donor-engagement activities. It also maintains campaign revenue forecasts, GAP reports, donor and volunteer records, and activity tracking in CRM and Microsoft systems. The Association provides training and professional development, including access to Heart U, its online university.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in fundraising, sales, or related work.
• University/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.
• Strong organizational, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, including experience presenting 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.
• Ability to lift and/or move large objects; heavier items may need to be broken into smaller components or require additional assistance.
• At least basic knowledge and 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, while 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, telemedicine, and medical consultation.
• Professional development opportunities, including Employee Resource Groups, a professional mentoring program, and access to Heart U.
• Paid Time Off, with a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees, increasing based on seniority.
• 12 paid holidays each year, including several days off at the end of the year.
• Tuition assistance for education and career development related to current or potential roles.
• Incentive eligibility based on achieving certain targets.

What This Job Offers

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