he American Heart Association (AHA) has is looking to fill a DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR role in our Founders Affiliate office located in UTICA, NY. Reporting to the Senior Director Development, the Development Director is responsible for implementing Heart Walk fundraising strategies directed toward employers in the Greater Utica market. The Director will also be responsible for various wrap around events such as the Telethon, Radiothon and other projects as assigned.
- Acquire companies as sponsors and/or teams for the Greater Utica market. Build relationships with sponsors and teams to retain and upgrade their financial involvement.
- Recruit, manage and persuade key community and corporate leaders to establish aggressive Heart Walk recruitment and monetary goals based on market potential.
- In conjunction with the Senior Director of Development, set annual fundraising goal and implement business strategies and best practices to achieve revenue goals set.
- Establish new accounts and cultivate new customers to reach highest level of revenue generation.
- Manage and mobilize high level corporate business leaders to serve on Heart Walk/other 3 rd party Executive Leadership Committees.
- Build relationships with key corporate leaders who can support fundraising initiatives and involve them at the appropriate time.
- Conduct business market assessment to determine market potential and target Heart Walk companies.
- Prioritize current corporate customers into A, B, and C categories based on business population, industry type and level of existing relationship.
- Develop a relationship plan and implement the cultivation strategies for all A and B current and prospective customers.
- Develop a profile of the top 50 businesses in the assigned geographic area with a written year-round relationship-building plan to ensure their involvement in the Heart Walk.
- Serve as direct contact with companies and provide a high level of customer service to help companies attain goals.
- In coordination with the Affiliate, involve key volunteers as natural partners in the cultivation, recruitment and solicitation process.
- Develop timeline and budget for Heart Walk and other wrap around events even in concert with goals and objectives.
- Successfully utilize National & Affiliate materials, products, databases and tools including Blackbaud, Dynamics and E-1. Usage includes timely and accurate entry of data, running and reviewing reports, and monitoring and updating data as needed.
- In conjunction with the site Communications Director, ensure that the appropriate media coverage is obtained for year-round activities and Heart Walk on day of event.
- Continually seek to improve and maintain fundraising skills, including maintaining knowledge of current trends in fundraising.
- Participates in appropriate Division, Region and Affiliate area staff meetings and training programs.
- Minimum of 2 years experience in fund raising or outside sales position that involves building and maintaining a sales relationship.
- Possess strong selling and negotiation skills. Formal sales training is highly desirable.
- Knowledge and demonstrated ability to successfully identify, cultivate, recruit, and maintain relationships with top level executive volunteers from identified companies.
- Solid local network of professionals along with the proven ability to network with C-Level executives.
- Proven ability to understand and navigate diverse corporate cultures to achieve goals.
- Demonstrated skills in written and oral communication at all organizational levels.
- Ability to plan and conduct organized meetings, achieving specific targeted outcomes.
- Must have the ability to lift at least 20 lbs from the ground to waist level with or without reasonable accommodation
- Ability and willingness to travel as position demands. Both within the regional and occasional national travel
- Ability to work outside standard hours as needed, including occasional evenings and weekends.
- Ability to use Microsoft products, computer software, run reports and maintain accurate data.
- Satisfactory background and reference checks upon offer of employment.
EXPERIENCE: Must have at least 2 years of experience in fundraising, outside sales or in a non-profit organization in a similar capacity. This experience may also count towards satisfying this position’s educational requirement.
WE LIKE THE FOLLOWING PERSONALITY TRAITS: Friendly, social, outgoing, positive, passionate, cool under pressure, detail-oriented, deadline oriented, quick learner, multi-tasker, great sense of humor. We’re looking for people that love the opportunity to be involved in fundraising and mission engagement at the top levels of local organizations, but also aren’t scared to get their hands dirty and do what needs to be done to make things happen! We move quickly, and our team doesn’t know the meaning of “not my job.” We want people that want to get things done and can check their ego at the door.
Attracting talented, committed employees means offering a competitive benefits package, ongoing professional development and training, and a diverse and inclusive environment in which to work and grow. And we do.