Development Director

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're looking for a dynamic, relationship-driven Development Director to lead our suite of competitive fundraising campaigns, including Leaders of Impact, Woman of Impact, and Teen of Impact, across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

This is a highly visible, community-facing role for someone who thrives on building authentic relationships, connecting people to purpose, and inspiring others to achieve ambitious goals. You will identify and recruit influential changemakers, business leaders, philanthropists, and emerging community leaders, helping them amplify their impact through fundraising, awareness-building, and volunteer leadership while advancing  the American Heart Association's mission.

Success in this role requires a proactive networker who enjoys meeting new people, uncovering opportunities, and creating meaningful volunteer experiences. You'll serve as a trusted coach, connector, and champion for volunteers while building a year-round pipeline of changemakers and future volunteer leaders.

This field-based role requires travel throughout the greater Portland and Vancouver area.

• Join a mission-driven organization where your work has a visible impact on communities across Oregon and Southwest Washington.
• Build meaningful relationships with some of the most influential leaders and changemakers in our community.
• Help volunteers raise funds and awareness that directly support lifesaving work.
• Play a key role in developing the next generation of American Heart Association volunteers and leaders.
• Be part of a collaborative team that is advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere.

We have a fast-paced sales type of environment with the main responsibility of driving revenue in support of our mission.  We offer a base salary with the potential to earn an incentive up to 25% of your base pay. The potential incentive is based on achieving certain revenue targets and triggers. 

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.

#TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and at heart.jobs.

• Identify and engage individuals with the potential to create significant impact through fundraising, awareness-building, community influence, and long-term volunteer leadership.

• Build relationships across business, philanthropic, and community networks to continuously expand campaign reach and visibility.
• Cast a wide net to identify future nominees and develop a sustainable pipeline of high-potential volunteers and supporters.

• Lead fundraising strategies for Leaders of Impact, Woman of Impact, and Teen of Impact campaigns to achieve and exceed revenue goals.
• Conduct year-round prospecting, networking, and relationship-building activities to identify, recruit, and secure high-impact campaign participants and supporters.
• Secure financial contributions through exploratory meetings, sponsorship conversations, and revenue-generating sales calls.
• Develop and execute year-round plans that establish a strong pipeline of nominees, sponsors, and volunteers well in advance of campaign launches.

• Provide exceptional, personalized support to campaign participants throughout their fundraising journey, ensuring they are valued, celebrated, and set up for success.
• Build trust and rapport quickly, serving as an advisor, coach, and motivator.
• Deliver effective orientation, training, fundraising guidance, and ongoing support to help volunteers maximize their impact and success.
• Foster meaningful volunteer experiences that strengthen long-term engagement with the American Heart Association.

• Cultivate relationships with volunteers beyond individual campaigns by connecting them to additional volunteer leadership opportunities.
• Create pathways for ongoing volunteer engagement across the organization.
• Recognize and celebrate volunteer contributions through meaningful stewardship and engagement activities.

• Partner closely with internal colleagues across departments to identify prospective nominees, share best practices, and support overall market success.
• Work collaboratively to strengthen community engagement strategies that elevate all campaigns and organizational priorities.
• Communicate proactively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure exceptional relationship management and customer service.

• Manage campaign and donor information accurately and timely using American Heart Association systems and tools.
• Coordinate campaign events, volunteer gatherings, cultivation activities, kickoffs, and celebrations, both in-person and virtually.
• Ensure compliance with all American Heart Association policies, fiscal standards, and applicable regulations.
• Maintain strong attention to detail while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of success in fundraising, sales, business development, account management, volunteer engagement, community outreach, or a related relationship-driven field. Recent graduates welcome and encouraged to apply.
• Experience motivating individuals or teams to achieve significant fundraising, sales, or business-development goals.
• Track record of building long-term partnerships and expanding community engagement through relationship-based strategies.
• Demonstrated success achieving ambitious goals through relationship-building, influence, and personal accountability.
• Ability to build trust and establish meaningful relationships across audiences.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while effectively managing multiple projects and priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to travel locally up to 75% of the time, with occasional overnight travel as needed.
• Access to reliable transportation.
• Ability to lift and/or move materials and event supplies as needed, with appropriate assistance when required.

The ideal candidate is:

• Well-connected in the community or excited to become deeply immersed in local business and community networks.
• Energized by coaching and encouraging others, celebrating wins, and helping volunteers reach ambitious goals.
• Motivated by ambitious goals and achieving meaningful results.
• Comfortable networking, prospecting, and building relationships with people from all backgrounds and industries.
• Naturally curious and genuinely interested in learning about others.
• A skilled relationship-builder who develops trust and rapport quickly.
• Passionate about helping others discover and reach their full potential with the ability to coach, motivate, and inspire others to succeed.
• Confident engaging executives, business owners, volunteer leaders, and community influencers.
• Collaborative and team-oriented, with a mindset focused on lifting the success of the entire market.
• Strategic, forward-thinking, and always looking for opportunities to expand impact.
• Highly organized with exceptional follow-through and attention to detail.
• Compassionate, service-oriented, and committed to creating exceptional volunteer experiences.

• Experience recruiting, managing, or cultivating executive leaders, business owners, philanthropists, or influential volunteers.
• Knowledge of corporate, nonprofit, philanthropic, and community networks throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.
• Experience in peer-to-peer fundraising, volunteer engagement, community outreach, or consultative sales.

The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.

In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities