School Fundraising Director - American Heart Association

Overview

As we celebrate our Centennial year, we invite you to join us in shaping the next century of impact. Be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives as we remain devoted to a future of health and hope for everyone, everywhere. At the American Heart Association, your contribution matters, and so does your career.

The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a Development Director, School Engagement within our Illinois Division based in Chicago, Illinois. This is a field-based position that requires extensive travel across the Northeast Chicago area.

Combine your love for fundraising and sales with your passion for kids' health! The American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge is all about equipping kids with ways to keep their hearts and brains healthy and raising funds for the health of all hearts. Meet one of our heart heroes here and learn more!

As the Development Director, School Engagement you will advance our lifesaving mission through engaging primarily K-12th grade students across Chicago schools and districts with Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge. This is a fast-paced fundraising/sales position where you will get to work with hundreds of schools to personalize and bring to life plans to help get kids moving, learning and helping!

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 our company culture, our way of life, reflecting our diversity, equity & inclusion, our focus on work-life harmonization and our Guiding Values. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued™ at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and at heart.jobs.

Responsibilities

This position is directly responsible for meeting an overall fundraising goal (participant income and corporate sponsorship) through exceptional volunteer recruitment and engagement, customer service and account management - all while motivating kids to take their health to heart.

• Recruit and engage students through schools and districts in life-saving initiatives including Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge programs.
• Implement strategies and initiatives to fully engage students through classroom challenges, activities and student assemblies (in-person and digital experiences).
• Develop and cultivate relationships on an ongoing basis with teachers, principals and district superintendents.
• Establish and maintain outstanding customer service with volunteers and other collaborators. This includes detailed planning and kick-off meetings to set schools up for success.
• High volume account management that regularly involves working with 5-10 schools each day - in-person where possible or online/by phone.

Qualifications

• 3 years of relevant experience 
• Ability to work productively and efficiently from a home office and in the field consistent with the American Heart Association's flexible work arrangements policy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and communicate proactively.
• Highly effective marketing, organization, multi-tasking, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, "we can do this" environment.
• This position requires keeping account information up to date on an ongoing basis with our customer relationship management databases.  Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to manage and report on data using CRMs is needed.
• Ability to do daily local travel; requires access to reliable transportation at all times on an immediate basis.

Here are some of the preferred skills we are looking for:

• Experience managing and cultivating volunteer relationships.
• Knowledge of corporate and community networks.
• Knowledge of the Association’s mission and programs.

Compensation & Benefits

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package.  Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary.  That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
• Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success by merit increases and incentive programs, based on the type of position.  This position is incentive eligible based on achieving certain targets.
• Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution.  As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
• Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program.  HeartU is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
• Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees.  The number of days will increase based on seniority level.  You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
• Tuition Assistance - We support the career development of all employees.  This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.

The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the AHA 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.

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities. We're committed to ensuring our workforce, workplace culture and mission have a shared impact across a diverse set of backgrounds.This position not a match with your skills?  Click here to see other opportunities.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities