Job Description:
Joining The American Red Cross is like nothing else â itâs as much something you feel as something you do. You become a vital part of the worldâs largest humanitarian network. Joining a team of welcoming individuals who are exceptional, yet unassuming. Diverse, yet uncompromising in unity. You grow your career within a movement that matters, where success is measured in people helped, communities made whole, and individuals equipped to never stop changing lives and situations for the better.
When you choose to be a force for good, youâll have mentors who empower your growth along a purposeful career path. You align your lifeâs work with an ongoing mission thatâs bigger than all of us. As you care for others, youâre cared for with competitive compensation and benefits. You join a community that respects who you are away from work as much as what you do while at work.
Where Your Career is a Force for Good!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (Job Overview):Â As Regional Chief Development Officer, you'll have a rare opportunity to lead philanthropy at scale and shape humanitarian impact across Missouri, Arkansas, southwest Illinois and Eastern Kansas. You will lead and set a bold vision and deliver results that matter, leading a high performing development team responsible for more than $14 million in annual giving and growing. You will inspire donors, boards, volunteers, and staff to rally around the mission of the American Red Cross, while owning a sophisticated portfolio based major gifts program and driving innovative corporate and individual partnerships. This role sits at the intersection of strategy and execution, requiring disciplined leadership, sharp judgment, and a deep belief in the power of philanthropy to strengthen communities.
In moments of calm and in times of crisis, you will lead with clarity, urgency, and confidence. You will serve 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 across the region. When disasters strike and communities need us most, you will ensure resources are mobilized quickly and responsibly, sustaining both immediate response and long term recovery. For the right leader, this role offers the chance to build an enduring culture of excellence, stewardship, and impact measured not only in dollars raised but in lives changed.
WHERE YOUR CAREER IS A FORCE FOR GOOD (Key Responsibilities):Â
Set and Execute a Bold Regional Fundraising Strategy
Design and lead annual and multi-year Development strategies that sustain and grow the Regionâs donor base while expanding new corporate, individual, and foundation relationships. Partner closely with the Regional CEO, Divisional Fundraising Vice President, Chapter Executive Directors, and Chapter Boards to align fundraising priorities with regional mission impact, market opportunity, and organizational growth. Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and accountability measures that drive a revenue oriented culture across the Region.
Lead and Be Accountable for a Portfolio Based Major Gifts Program
Own and be fully accountable for all regional fundraising results within a portfolio based major gifts model. Lead the Development team in setting individual targets, ensure the management and stewardship of disciplined portfolios, provide accurate forecasting and analysis, and drive consistent prospect movement across the Region. Provide key leadership, expectations, standards, and accountability for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects at the $5,000 level and above. Ensure strategic solicitation planning, rigorous performance management, and strong stewardship practices that result in sustained donor engagement and long term revenue growth.
Achieve and Grow Significant Fundraising Targets
Maintain full accountability for achieving or exceeding the Regionâs annual fundraising goal, currently exceeding $14 million annually, while managing departmental expense budgets. Navigate dynamic revenue environments, including increased targets during major domestic disasters, with agility, discipline, and confidence. Monitor monthly, quarterly, and annual performance of team members and channels and adjust strategies as needed to ensure sustained success.
Lead and Scale a High Impact Corporate Major Gifts Program
Drive innovative corporate fundraising and partnership strategies through dynamic annual and multi year plans that grow revenue, deepen engagement, and diversify the corporate donor base. Personally engage in strategies for robust major corporate partners across the region, while providing leadership and accountability for a team of three corporate major gifts fundraisers reporting to the Chief Development Officer. Own the renewal and expansion of key relationships and the pursuit of new revenue, especially during disaster response and other high impact moments. Set a high standard for strategic discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and world class stewardship to consistently exceed regional goals.
Lead Fundraising When Communities Need Us Most
During grey skies when disasters are unfolding locally and nationally, the CDO leads with discipline and urgency through swift execution, prioritization of donor relationships and modeling resilience. They manage the team with clarity and accountability, coaching through uncertainty, sustaining morale and driving both restricted and unrestricted fundraising to meet the moment.
Mobilize Boards and Volunteer Leaders for Philanthropic Impact
Act as the fundraising subject matter expert and as the primary liaison between the development team and Regional Board Philanthropy Committees supporting Chapter Boards in fulfilling their fundraising responsibilities. Equip board members and volunteer leaders with the tools, coaching, and confidence needed to serve as effective ambassadors and fundraisers. Support orientation and ongoing engagement of new board members with a clear focus on philanthropic leadership.
Build, Develop, and Inspire a High Performing Team
Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Regional Development team, including the individual Director of Development, Corporate Regional Philanthropy Officers, Grant Writers, and other fundraising staff. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and performance driven team culture focused on professional growth, accountability, and shared success. Guide strategic decision making and ensure alignment across the Development function.
Ensure Excellence in Systems, Stewardship, and Reporting
Oversee disciplined donor management practices, ensuring all fundraising activity and gifts are accurately and timely recorded in Salesforce. Hold accountability for monthly and annual forecasting of expected gifts. Maintain compliance with all reporting and relationship management requirements while using data and insights to inform strategy, improve performance, and strengthen donor relationships.
Serve as a Key Member of the Regional Leadership Team
Operate as a trusted senior leader within the Region, contributing to enterprise wide strategy, decision making, and organizational leadership. Represent the Region externally with credibility and confidence while advancing the American Red Cross mission and values across Missouri and Arkansas.
Scope: Regional Development Fundraising Target >$14M
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WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED (Minimum Qualifications):Â
Education: Bachelorâs degree required; advanced degree is highly desirable.
Experience: Minimum 10 years of fundraising leadership experience. Proactive Development leader with an established track record of increasing philanthropic revenue from diverse constituencies. Experience in the Development and implementation of a broad-based fundraising program including personally opening doors, cultivation and successfully closing major gifts. Significant expertise with the Regionâs funding community highly desirable. Progressive experience in successful Development programs and knowledge of âbest practicesâ in Development. Corporate and/or Business-to-Business sales leadership experience may be substituted for fundraising experience.
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Management Experience: Minimum 7 years of supervisory experience.
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Skills & Abilities: Ability to relate well and work effectively with multiple constituencies and audiences. Excellent verbal and written skills. Knowledge of office systems: MS Office preferred and fundraising database systems (e.g. Raiserâs Edge, Salesforce.com). A team player committed to developing and working within a collaborative environment and ensuring the highest customer service orientation.
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Travel: Re
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