Vice President of Development

American Heart Association • Nashville, TN

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President of Development leads a fundraising team and works with corporate and community leaders to grow philanthropic support throughout the Nashville market. The role is responsible for achieving fundraising revenue goals, strengthening community partnerships, managing key corporate relationships, and recruiting and supporting volunteer leaders. The VP provides leadership and accountability to staff and volunteers and reports to the Executive Director.

The position directs a comprehensive fundraising plan and oversees major campaigns, including Heart Walk, Heart Ball, Impact Campaigns, and Go Red for Women. It operationalizes the organization’s vision and strategic priorities, manages staff and engagement plans, and leads fundraising strategy across multiple revenue channels. The VP also develops corporate partnerships and individual giving, manages the market events budget, and represents the Association at community and corporate functions. Extensive travel throughout the assigned territory and some evening or weekend work may be required.

Requirements

• University/college degree or equivalent experience.
• Five years of relevant experience in fundraising, sales, or equivalent experience.
• Five years of supervisory experience, preferably managing fundraising or sales staff.
• Ability and experience recruiting, training, and encouraging top-level donors and volunteers.
• Excellent listening and communication skills, including verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, negotiating, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• Highly effective organizational skills, time management, responsibility, leadership, and motivation.
• Ability to work outside standard hours, including some evenings and/or weekends.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively throughout the assigned geographical territory.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage staff to achieve goals through a complete fundraising plan, including timelines and accountability for major campaigns such as Heart Walk, Heart Ball, Impact Campaigns, and Go Red for Women.
• Operationalize the vision, manage staff, and implement strategic priorities and volunteer and employee engagement plans.
• Own the overall fundraising strategy and ensure adherence to timelines, protocols, and staff accountability.
• Recruit and lead C-suite-level volunteers and volunteer leadership committees to meet revenue goals and complete activities.
• Engage top employers, Fortune 1000 companies, and major medical institutions in strategic partnerships.
• Meet best practices in volunteer recruitment, including establishing committee structures 18 months before events and securing three-year commitments from event chairs.
• Achieve financial targets while managing multiple revenue channels.
• Drive new business development and increase the number of partnerships supporting the Association.
• Develop and manage strategies for individual giving and donor engagement, including the Cor Vitae Society.
• Prepare the market events budget and ensure expenditures are reasonable.
• Grow revenue by implementing successful approaches developed across the organization.
• Partner with the Executive Director to identify and engage potential national corporate partners and top philanthropists.
• Attend community and corporate functions to build visibility and generate new business contacts.

Benefits

• Access to Heart U, the Association’s corporate university, and additional training and support.
• Competitive base salary with regular market reviews and adjustments as needed.
• Annual salary planning and incentive programs; this position is incentive eligible based on achieving certain targets.
• 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.
• Employee Resource Groups and a professional mentoring program.
• Paid Time Off of at least 16 days per year for new employees, increasing based on seniority.
• 12 paid holidays per year, including several days off at the end of the year.
• Tuition assistance for education and career development related to current duties or potential future positions.

What This Job Offers

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