Development Director

Columbus, OH, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Benefits

health benefits

Medical Plans

Dental plans

vision plans

Disability insurance

Wellness Program

Paid Time Off

Employee assistance program

Job Description

The American Heart Association (AHA), founded in 1924, is a leading organization dedicated to fighting cardiovascular disease and promoting heart health across the United States. Over the past century, the AHA has made significant strides, cutting cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but the need to advance this progress remains critical. The mission revolves around overcoming the biggest health challenges of our time and ensuring a healthier future for all communities. The AHA is a nonprofit organization that operates nationwide, providing a wide range of programs and initiatives focused on heart and brain health, advocacy, research funding, and community education. The organization prides itself on fostering a strong culture that supports work-life balance, employee well-being, and career development, emphasizing the importance of each individual's impact within the movement. Being a part of the AHA means joining a community that values employees as much as its mission, highlighted by a culture where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued.

The American Heart Association is currently seeking a dedicated and skilled Development Director to join their team in Columbus. This full-time, hybrid role is centered on generating revenue for the signature Heart Challenge fundraising campaign, which includes the highly recognized Heart Walk event. As a Development Director, you will be part of a dynamic three-person team responsible for coordinating the campaign, driving corporate sponsorships, and securing individual donations to support the association’s life-saving mission. The role demands a fast-paced, sales-oriented approach with a focus on relationship building, revenue generation, and volunteer engagement. The position offers a competitive base salary with an additional incentive opportunity of up to 25 percent of the base pay based on meeting specific revenue targets and performance milestones.

In this role, you will work closely with corporate partners and donors to cultivate long-lasting relationships while identifying new prospects aligned with the campaign's goals. You will create compelling proposals to secure financial support and volunteer participation, including recruiting executive-level volunteer leaders and committees essential for event success. The role also involves fostering corporate team participation in the Heart Walk and motivating participants to fundraise actively. In partnership with other fundraising staff, you will engage new individual members for the Cor Vitae giving society, hosting events to encourage ongoing involvement. Collaboration with internal teams such as Communications will be necessary to promote campaign messages and expand impact.

Employees at the American Heart Association benefit from comprehensive resources designed to support professional growth and personal wellness. Access to Heart U, the organization’s online corporate university, offers extensive training, while local support systems aid in achieving work-life harmonization. The culture #TheAHALife reflects a commitment to employee well-being, diversity, and inclusion, offering a respectful and empowering workplace. If you are passionate about driving change in public health and adept at building meaningful partnerships to support a critical mission, this opportunity at the American Heart Association could be your next career move.

Job Requirements

3 years of relevant experience in fundraising, sales, or related experience
University/college degree or equivalent experience
Ability to do daily local travel up to 70% and some overnight trips
Requires access to reliable transportation at all times on an immediate basis
Ability to lift and/or move large objects such as boxes with the expectation of breaking down heavier items or assistance
Basic knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft Office

Job Qualifications

3 years of relevant experience in fundraising, sales, or other related experience
University/College degree or equivalent experience
Ability to do daily local travel up to 70% and some overnight trips as needed
Requires access to reliable transportation at all times on an immediate basis
Ability to lift and/or move large objects such as boxes with the expectation that heavier items would be broken down into smaller components or requesting additional assistance may be required before lifting and/or moving
Must have at least basic knowledge and skill/proficiency with Microsoft Office
Experience managing and cultivating high-level leaders at the C-Suite level
Knowledge of corporate and community networks

Job Duties

Generate revenue by prospecting and securing local corporate sponsorship and individual donations
Achieve revenue goals by building and maintaining relationships with corporate partners and donors
Build and maintain a pipeline of prospective corporate sponsors and donors by conducting research that matches to the campaign goals and the Association's mission
Develop and present proposals and accompanying materials to secure revenue and volunteer engagement
Recruit and be responsible for executive volunteer leadership, volunteer committees, and day-of-the-event volunteers
Recruit corporate team participation in Heart Walk and motivate team members to fundraise
Lead and engage new individual membership for our Cor Vitae giving society, in partnership with other appropriate fundraising staff
Plan and implement events in collaboration with internal and external partners
Work with a Communications Director to support and promote campaign communication plans