Senior Development Director, School Engagement

Overview

As we celebrate our Centennial year, we invite you to join us in shaping the next century of impact. Be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives as we remain devoted to a future of health and hope for everyone, everywhere. At the American Heart Association, your contribution matters, and so does your career.

 

We are hiring a Senior Development Director, School Engagement in Chicago. The Senior Director will serve in a player/coach role and will provide direct coaching and supervision to two fundraising staff members, taking lead on our Association's Kids Heart Challenge program.

 

You will liaise with school-based coordinators, (typically PE Teachers/school principals/superintendents) to raise funds through our educational fundraising program while working with participating schools in the territory. 

 

You will be out in your territory of schools about 75% of the time recruiting schools during recruitment season, planning events with schools before the Winter break and presenting at 40+ assemblies from January through-March. There will be some early morning start times. You will also be working with companies and businesses to gain support through sponsorship of schools.

 

We offer a base salary with the potential to earn an incentive up to 25% of your base pay.  The potential incentive is based on achieving certain team revenue targets. 

 

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.

 

#TheAHALife is our company culture, our way of life, reflecting our diversity, equity & inclusion, our focus on work-life harmonization and our Guiding Values. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued™ at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and at heart.jobs.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

 

• Selling our lifesaving mission to local schools through prospecting and securing school participation while providing tools and training to help schools establish and meet their fundraising goals.
• Presenting in front of large groups of students to get them excited about the Kids Heart Challenge.
• Recruiting and leading positive relationships with volunteers, while ensuring overall success of the programs.
• Guide and direct assigned staff to reach goals.
• Exceed ambitious fundraising goals by developing effective customer relationships, through time management, persuasion, organization, competitiveness, and persistence.
• Representing the American Heart Association in a positive way through relationship building and community networking.

 

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in fundraising or outside sales or in a non-profit organization in a similar capacity.
• 1+ years of experience in a management capacity. This experience may occur within the 3-year related experience requirement.  Experience gained through direct internal work on American Heart Association projects/priorities may substitute for this requirement and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills, including large and small group presentations, group facilitation, and training. Skill in written communications to include clear and concise narrative reports, evaluations, and similar narrative pieces.
• Ability to read, comprehend and analyze number goals, as well as fundraising reports. Skill in use of spreadsheet/database analysis.
• Ability to do daily local travel up to 70%; requires access to reliable transportation at all times on an immediate basis
• Must have at least basic knowledge and skill with Microsoft Office.
• 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.

 

Compensation & Benefits

This position is incentive eligible based on achieving certain targets.

 

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package.  Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

 

• Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary.  That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
• Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success by merit increas