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Chief Development Officer

American Red Cross
St. Louis, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 6 Jan 2026

About the role

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By joining the American Red Cross  you will touch millions of lives every year and experience the greatness of the human spirit at its best.  Are you ready to be part of  the world's largest humanitarian network?

Join us—Where your Career is a Force for Good!

Job Description:

Joining The American Red Cross is like nothing else – it’s as much something you feel as something you do. You become a vital part of the world’s largest humanitarian network. Joining a team of welcoming individuals who are exceptional, yet unassuming. Diverse, yet uncompromising in unity. You grow your career within a movement that matters, where success is measured in people helped, communities made whole, and individuals equipped to never stop changing lives and situations for the better.

When you choose to be a force for good, you’ll have mentors who empower your growth along a purposeful career path. You align your life’s work with an ongoing mission that’s bigger than all of us. As you care for others, you’re cared for with competitive compensation and benefits. You join a community that respects who you are away from work as much as what you do while at work.

Where Your Career is a Force for Good!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (Job Overview): As Regional Chief Development Officer, you'll have a rare opportunity to lead philanthropy at scale and shape humanitarian impact across Missouri, Arkansas, southwest Illinois and Eastern Kansas. You will lead and set a bold vision and deliver results that matter, leading a high performing development team responsible for more than $14 million in annual giving and growing. You will inspire donors, boards, volunteers, and staff to rally around the mission of the American Red Cross, while owning a sophisticated portfolio based major gifts program and driving innovative corporate and individual partnerships. This role sits at the intersection of strategy and execution, requiring disciplined leadership, sharp judgment, and a deep belief in the power of philanthropy to strengthen communities.

In moments of calm and in times of crisis, you will lead with clarity, urgency, and confidence. You will serve as a trusted partner to the Regional CEO and leadership team, a strategic advisor to boards and volunteer leaders, and a visible ambassador for the Red Cross across the region. When disasters strike and communities need us most, you will ensure resources are mobilized quickly and responsibly, sustaining both immediate response and long term recovery. For the right leader, this role offers the chance to build an enduring culture of excellence, stewardship, and impact measured not only in dollars raised but in lives changed.

WHERE YOUR CAREER IS A FORCE FOR GOOD (Key Responsibilities): 

Set and Execute a Bold Regional Fundraising Strategy
Design and lead annual and multi-year Development strategies that sustain and grow the Region’s donor base while expanding new corporate, individual, and foundation relationships. Partner closely with the Regional CEO, Divisional Fundraising Vice President, Chapter Executive Directors, and Chapter Boards to align fundraising priorities with regional mission impact, market opportunity, and organizational growth. Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and accountability measures that drive a revenue oriented culture across the Region.

Lead and Be Accountable for a Portfolio Based Major Gifts Program

Own and be fully accountable for all regional fundraising results within a portfolio based major gifts model. Lead the Development team in setting individual targets, ensure the management and stewardship of disciplined portfolios, provide accurate forecasting and analysis, and drive consistent prospect movement across the Region. Provide key leadership, expectations, standards, and accountability for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects at the $5,000 level and above. Ensure strategic solicitation planning, rigorous performance management, and strong stewardship practices that result in sustained donor engagement and long term revenue growth.

Achieve and Grow Significant Fundraising Targets
Maintain full accountability for achieving or exceeding the Region’s annual fundraising goal, currently exceeding $14 million annually, while managing departmental expense budgets. Navigate dynamic revenue environments, including increased targets during major domestic disasters, with agility, discipline, and confidence. Monitor monthly, quarterly, and annual performance of team members and channels and adjust strategies as needed

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Company

American Red Cross

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