The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a Director of Mission Events! This individual will lead the strategy, planning and execution of a wide range of events that are designed to more deeply engage and steward major donors to the AHA, including individual donors, planned giving donors, foundations and national corporate sponsors. The Director and team will develop concepts for and plan a year-round program in tandem with the SVP, Mission Advancement and team that includes a variety of events to give donors a greater understanding of AHA’s mission and encourage the donors to learn more about the areas that interest them. The goal is to more deeply engage donors and leverage the events and related activities to grow the donor pipeline. The team will explore and utilize a range of creative event approaches, including events that build on major activities such as Scientific Sessions, International Stroke Conference and Go Red, events and activities that connect our CEO and other staff and volunteer leaders to donors throughout the year, and other unique event-based approaches to maintain and grow donor engagement. This position is responsible for working in deep partnership with the Mission Advancement team to ensure positive and mutually-rewarding relations between the American Heart Association and its donors through events and wrap-around activities and communications. The Director and team will monitor trends and innovative approaches to event-based stewardship to help the organization continually evolve its approach to stewarding major donors nationwide. The Director will also work with Mission Advancement Giving Societies and Donor Engagement teams to develop and support stewardship event approaches that can be used in markets across the country and to work collaboratively on a broad range of stewardship initiatives.
- Leads development of a year-round Mission Events plan and approach for AHA’s major donors, including individual donors, foundations, planned giving donors and corporate sponsors. Director works in partnership with Mission Advancement Giving Societies and Donor Engagement Team to ensure that the annual program of events works in concert with the overall stewardship plan to achieve our objectives related to engaging and stewarding these donors. Uses creative approaches to mission events that will increase engagement among a wide range of donors and support the growth of the giving pipeline. Identifies metrics for success related to the plan and individual approaches to mission events
- Leads the Mission Events team to develop and execute the donor event program throughout the year, with a focus on leveraging major AHA events and activities (such as Scientific Sessions, International Stroke Conference and Go Red) as well as developing targeted events that will allow key donors to engage with the CEO and other staff and volunteer leadership. Works with top AHA leadership, including CEO Office, AHA officers and other key volunteer and staff leaders on appropriate aspects of events, including leadership involvement
- Works collaboratively with National Executive Lead, Giving Societies and Donor Engagement, in development of overall stewardship plans and strategies, actively incorporating Mission Events as a key component of the plans
- In collaboration with Donor Engagement, directs the development of training and tools necessary for donor-facing staff across AHA to engage donors through event strategies and move them to higher levels of giving
- Builds wrap-around strategies that will best leverage the momentum of the event after its completion, working collaboratively with Donor Engagement. Strategies could include social and digital approaches, follow-up collateral or targeted messaging and other approaches to ensure Mission Events create the greatest possible ongoing impact
- Continuously monitors trends in stewardship and philanthropic events to ensure that AHA is utilizing cutting-edge and innovative donor event strategies as a robust component of the organization’s overall stewardship program
- Works with Mission Events team to ensure appropriate communication to and collaboration with staff teams at national center and in the field; shares updated information on all aspects of events, seeks ongoing input from all the core teams within Mission Advancement and encourages two-way communications with field leadership involved in these events
- At least eight (8) years of relevant experience
- Supervisory Experience
- Project management and event management experience
- Strong written and oral communications skills, including development of varied communications tools and resources
- Experience working with a wide range of individuals and teams, including senior staff and volunteer leadership
- Development of strategic and business plans
- Experience monitoring and incorporating trends into work to drive innovative approaches
- Ability to travel 30% local and overnight stay