Chief Development Officer

Overview

Joining The American Red Cross is like nothing else — a vital part of the world's largest humanitarian network. You will be part of a community that is dedicated to helping people and building stronger communities, with competitive compensation and benefits.

As Regional Chief Development Officer, you will lead philanthropy at scale and shape humanitarian impact across Missouri, Arkansas, southwest Illinois, and Eastern Kansas. You will inspire donors, boards, volunteers, and staff to rally around the mission of the American Red Cross and own a sophisticated portfolio-based major gifts program while driving innovative corporate and individual partnerships.

In moments of calm and crisis, you will lead with clarity, urgency, and confidence, serving 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 in the region. You will ensure resources are mobilized quickly and responsibly to support both immediate response and long-term recovery.

• Set and Execute a Bold Regional Fundraising Strategy
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  Design and lead annual and multi-year Development strategies that sustain and grow the Region's donor base and expand relationships with corporate, individual, and foundation partners. Align fundraising priorities with regional mission impact and organizational growth. Establish clear goals and accountability measures that drive a revenue-oriented culture across the Region.
• Lead and Be Accountable for a Portfolio Based Major Gifts Program
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  Own and be fully accountable for all regional fundraising results within a portfolio-based major gifts model. Lead the Development team in setting targets, manage portfolios, provide forecasting and analysis, and drive prospect movement in the Region. Ensure identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects at the $5,000 level and above.
• Achieve and Grow Significant Fundraising Targets
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  Maintain accountability for achieving or exceeding the Region's annual fundraising goal (currently over $14M), while managing departmental budgets. Monitor performance and adjust strategies to sustain success.
• Lead and Scale a High Impact Corporate Major Gifts Program
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  Drive innovative corporate fundraising and partnership strategies through annual and multi-year plans. Engage in strategies for major corporate partners across the region and lead a team of three corporate major gifts fundraisers. Oversee renewal and expansion of key relationships and pursue new revenue, especially during disaster response and other high-impact moments. Set a high standard for discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Lead Fundraising When Communities Need Us Most
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  Lead with discipline and urgency during disasters, prioritize donor relationships, and model resilience. Manage the team with clarity and accountability to drive both restricted and unrestricted fundraising to meet the moment.
• Mobilize Boards and Volunteer Leaders for Philanthropic Impact
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  Act as the fundraising subject matter expert and primary liaison between the development team and Regional Board Philanthropy Committees. Equip board members and volunteers with tools and coaching to serve as effective ambassadors and fundraisers.
• Build, Develop, and Inspire a High Performing Team
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  Provide strategic leadership for the Regional Development team, including the Director of Development, Corporate Regional Philanthropy Officers, Grant Writers, and other staff. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and performance-driven culture.
• Ensure Excellence in Systems, Stewardship, and Reporting
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  Oversee donor management practices, ensure gifts are recorded in Salesforce, and maintain monthly and annual forecasting. Ensure compliance with reporting requirements and use data to improve performance and donor relationships.
• Serve as a Key Member of the Regional Leadership Team
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  Contribute to enterprise-wide strategy and represent the Region externally to advance the Red Cross mission and values across Missouri and Arkansas.

Scope: Regional…