Development Director

Overview

Since our founding in 1924, we’ve cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.

We are currently hiring a Development Director in the Hampton Roads, VA area. This position will cover Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, and Williamsburg. The Director will generate revenue for our Heart Walk fundraising campaign, oversee the campaign, and lead the Executive Leadership Committee. The position is home‑office based with daily local travel within the territory and frequent field work.

We offer a base salary with the potential to earn an incentive up to 25% of your base pay, based on achieving revenue targets and triggers.

The Association provides resources to support work‑life harmonization, including access to Heart U, a corporate university, and additional local training and support.

#TheAHALife represents our culture of work‑life harmonization and core values, ensuring employees can thrive personally and professionally.

The Development Director will be responsible for achieving an overall fundraising goal, organizing high‑quality events in line with Association standards, and working with a Communications Director to support and promote campaign communication plans.

• Generate revenue by prospecting and securing local corporate sponsorship and individual donations.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of prospective corporate sponsors and donors through research aligned with campaign goals and the Association’s mission.
• Develop and present proposals to secure revenue and volunteer engagement.
• Recruit and manage executive volunteer leadership, volunteer committees, and day‑of‑the‑event volunteers.
• Recruit corporate team participation in Heart Walk and motivate team members to fundraise.
• Plan and implement events in collaboration with internal and external partners.

Required experience and skills:

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in fundraising, sales, or related fields.
• University or college degree or equivalent experience.
• Ability to travel locally up to 75% of the time and occasional overnight trips; requires reliable transportation.
• Ability to lift and move large objects with safety considerations.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Preferred experience and skills:

• Experience managing and cultivating high‑level leaders at the C‑Suite level.
• Knowledge of corporate and community networks.

Base salary range: $59,700 to $80,000, commensurate with experience and geographic differentials. Incentive potential up to 25% of base pay.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; a robust retirement program with employer match; employee assistance and wellness programs; paid time off (minimum 16 days) and 12 paid holidays; tuition assistance.

Professional development via the national online university Heart U and Employee Resource Groups.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The American Heart Association is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Veterans and Persons with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered as required by applicable laws.