The American Heart Association (AHA) has an excellent opportunity for a Development Director (Gala) in Memphis, TN. This Director is responsible for cultivating and stewarding a vast base of individual donors, driving results to achieve the campaign goal and providing leadership and support to Executive volunteers, including the Campaign Chair. In addition to driving the overall fundraising efforts of the campaign, an additional focus will be the organization, direction andimplementation of the gala, volunteer recruitment, as well as procuring auction items. Reports to the Executive Director and works in close partnership with local fundraising and events staff, volunteers and other staff members. Provides year-round servicing, maintenance and operation of assigned events.
- Solicits and maintains high-level corporate & patron sponsors by developing year-round cultivation plan ensuring superior customer relations
- Procure new corporate sponsorships and enhance existing sponsorships to achieve campaign budget and contribute to overall market-wide campaign annual budget.
- Instrumental in building recruitment committees and executive leadership committees to solicit high level event Chairs and working committees
- Planning, development, maintenance, implementation and evaluation of assigned fundraising events according to best practices and event timelines
- Lead efforts in marketing, promotion and event planning for fundraising campaign
- Executive and C-suite level volunteer recruitment, orientation and training
- Works as part of a team to consult with staff and volunteers in all aspects of event fund raising
- Helps prepare an annual budget to support event plans and activities
- Assists in the development & maintenance of appropriate statistical reports, evaluations, and data gathering for volunteers, the local office, and the affiliate
- Maintains timely communication with all staff at local and affiliate levels, and helps ensure all information requests deadlines are met
- Maintains timely communication with team and Executive Director
- Occasionally, work community events on behalf of the AHA and collaborate with the local team to share the organization’s mission in the community
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends and travel throughout the market, the affiliate and to the national center as needed
- 3 – 5 years preferred experience with the American Heart Association, or a similar non-profit organization in a fund-raising position, OR 3 – 5 years preferred experience with proven success in marketing, sales, event planning, fundraising or new business development.
- Knowledge and skills in fund raising principles, practices and techniques
- Ability and experience to recruit, train, counsel, and manage volunteer groups and to develop long range organizational goals and follow through with them
- Ability to lead a team but also to work independently
- Ability to apply sound judgment and problem-solving skills to conflicts
- Skill in making presentations to large and small audiences
- Ability to write clear and concise narratives
- Ability and willingness to travel and to work evenings and weekends on occasion
- Proficient in use of Microsoft Office tools and databases