Executive 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 have an excellent opportunity for an Executive Director in Chattanooga, TN! This position engages top-level corporate executives across the territory to cultivate their involvement as leadership volunteers, strategic partners, and board members, while overseeing a team of approximately six staff spanning operations, field campaign development, and community health.

The Executive Director leads the implementation of community initiatives, education, development, and communications. This role provides inspirational leadership, coaching, supervision, and mentorship to staff, empowering them to exceed market potential. The Executive Director fosters teamwork and is accountable for achieving revenue and community impact goals within the assigned territory.

This is an office-based position with a hybrid schedule. The office is in Chattanooga, TN.

This position will have an annual revenue accountability beginning at approximately $3,400,000 with growth expected each fiscal year.  We have a fast-paced sales type of environment with the main responsibility of growing relationships to deliver revenue in support of our mission.

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.

Responsibilities

As the Executive Director, responsibilities include:

• Devise and implement the strategy and direction for the market’s unified health and revenue efforts, while assuming bottom line responsibility for market's income and community health impact goals.
• Guide and direct team to achieve key performance indicators. 

• Hire, direct, train and evaluate staff.

• Develop and manage a volunteer Board of Directors, consisting of top-level corporate executives, who will guide volunteer leadership and initiatives.
• Build powerful partnerships with volunteers, community and corporate leaders, sponsors, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop profiles on the top businesses, associations, organizations, agencies, etc. within the assigned market with a documented plan to secure their involvement. 

• Build relationships with key corporate leaders who can support initiatives and secure their engagement in key roles.
• Meet with assigned staff to review programs and procedures and recommend changes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

In this role, you will report to the Region Senior Vice President and will lead a team within the Chattanooga market. Daily travel within the market is required.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience in non-profit fundraising, outside sales, preferably with a voluntary health agency or relevant.
• 3 years of experience in a management capacity, preferably with a sales or fundraising team in a similar organization or relevant. 
• Experience in closing six and seven figure gifts is preferred.
• Strong ability to motivate/inspire others to accomplish goals.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills, including large and small group presentations, group facilitation, and training. Skill in written communications, to include clear and concise narrative reports, evaluations, and similar narrative pieces.
• Ability to read, comprehend and analyze revenue metrics, as well as fundraising reports. Skill in use of spreadsheet/database analysis.
• Ability to travel the Chattanooga area daily; requires access to reliable transportation on an immediate basis.
• Basic knowledge and skill with Microsoft Office used for word processing, email, presentations, and spreadsheets.

Want to get your resume to the top? These are the skills we prefer to see:

• Experience in attracting, recruiting, managing, and evaluating staff and volunteers, including a volunteer board.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.

• Advanced knowledge and skill with Microsoft Office and Salesforce.

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 through annual salary planning and incentive programs; 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.  Heart U 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 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.

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.This position not a match with your skills?  Click here to see other opportunities.

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