Development Officer

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By joining the American Red Cross you will touch millions of lives every year and experience the greatness of the human spirit at its best. Are you ready to be part of the world's largest humanitarian network?

Join us—Where your Career is a Force for Good!

Job Description:

WHY CHOOSE US?

Joining The American Red Cross is like nothing else – it’s as much something you feel as something you do. You become a vital part of the world’s 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, you’ll have mentors who empower your growth along a purposeful career path. You align your life’s work with an ongoing mission that’s bigger than all of us. As you care for others, you’re 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

The American Red Cross is seeking a Regional Philanthropy Officer – Individual Donors to drive major gift fundraising and deepen relationships with supporters across the Greater Houston and Gulf Coast Region.

This frontline fundraising role is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors at the $5,000+ level. The Officer will build a robust donor pipeline, develop customized engagement strategies aligned with donor interests, and mobilize philanthropic support—particularly during times of disaster response when urgency and mission alignment are critical.

This is a hybrid role, combining remote work with in-office presence and in-region travel to meet with donors and community partners. (in office work Tues-Thur.)

The American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast office is located at 2700 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77098.

WHERE YOUR CAREER IS A FORCE FOR GOOD

Fundraising Strategy

• Collaborate with leadership to create and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan.

• Be at the forefront of Disaster Relief Fundraising to drive immediate impact to help donors support urgent Red Cross needs.

• Monitor fundraising performance metrics and adjust strategies as needed to achieve targets.

• Stay organized and on top of donor engagement with regular and consistent updates to Salesforce and ensure effective prospecting efforts.

Strategic Major Gifts Fundraising

• Lead the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual donors capable of giving $5,000 or more annually.

• Develop and execute customized solicitation strategies that align donor interests with Red Cross priorities.

• Manage a disciplined portfolio of prospects and donors to achieve measurable revenue goals.

• Build a sustainable donor pipeline that drives long-term philanthropic growth.

Disaster Relief & Mission-Responsive Fundraising

• Mobilize donors quickly and effectively during disaster relief efforts.

• Communicate urgent needs with clarity, confidence, and professionalism.

• Adapt fundraising strategies in real time as organizational priorities shift during emergency response.

Relationship-Driven Donor Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned donors, ensuring a responsive, high-touch donor experience.

• Build authentic, trust-based relationships rooted in strong emotional intelligence and discretion.

• Anticipate donor needs and proactively create meaningful engagement opportunities.

Compelling Communication & Storytelling

• Clearly articulate the Red Cross mission, programs, and impact to diverse audiences.

• Craft personalized proposals, impact reports, and engagement strategies that inspire deeper investment.

• Translate donor interests into meaningful philanthropic opportunities with measurable community impact.

Data-Driven Execution & Process Excellence

• Track performance metrics and adjust strategies to ensure revenue targets are met.

• Maintain accurate and timely records in Salesforce to support effective prospecting and stewardship.

• Demonstrate strong organization, time management, and attention to detail across multiple active relationships.

Volunteer Leadership & Collaboration

• Inspire and support passionate volunteers who advance the mission.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams to align donor strategies with organizational priorities and community needs.

• Represent the organization confidently at events and public-facing engagements.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. 

• Minimum five years of sales and/or fundraising experience required.

• Proven experience in developing strategies for donor retention, growth, and recapture, and proven success with complex requests is required.

• A current valid driver's license and a good driving record is required. 

• Ability to relate well and work effectively with multiple constituencies and audiences. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Knowledge of office systems: MS Office preferred and fundraising database systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce.com).

• Ability to work on a team within a collaborative environment and ensure the highest customer service orientation. 

• Travel: Frequent travel within the region is required.

The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Strategic, Metrics-Driven Fundraising Leader

• Proven ability to design and execute major gift strategies that achieve measurable revenue outcomes.

• Skilled at forecasting results and managing performance metrics.

• Highly disciplined in pipeline management and follow-through

Authentic Relationship Builder

• Establishes long-term, trust-based relationships with donors and key stakeholders.

• Brings professionalism, discretion, and emotional intelligence to complex donor conversations.

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to a donor-centered experience.

Agile & Mission-Responsive

• Thrives in fast-paced, high-urgency environments.

• Remains steady and solutions-oriented under pressure.

• Motivated by tangible community impact and mission-driven results.

Collaborative & Influential

• Works effectively across teams and functions.

• Leads through influence, not authority.

• Engages volunteers and colleagues with energy, clarity, and purpose.

What Will Give You the Competitive Edge

• Significant fundraising experience in the Greater Houston area.

• Demonstrated success securing major gifts and consistently meeting or exceeding fundraising goals.

• Experience fundraising in disaster response or crisis environments.

Compensation:

The base salary range for this position is $90,000 - $95,000, and the role is eligible to participate in an annual incentive plan based on individual and organizational performance.

Note that American Red Cross salaries are aligned to the specific geographic location in which the work is primarily performed. Other factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, how many years of experience you have, and comparison to other employees already in this role. This job will be posted for a minimum of five business days and extended if the applicant pool needs to be expanded.

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

BENEFITS FOR YOU: 

We take care of you, while you take care of others. As a mission-based organization, we believe our team needs great support to do great work. Our comprehensive benefits help you in balancing home and work. With our resources and perks, you have amazing possibilities at the American Red Cross to advance the learn. 

• Medical, Dental Vision plans 

• Health Spending Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts 

• PTO: Starting at 15 days a year; based on FLSA status and tenure 

• Holidays: 11 paid holidays comprised of six core holidays and five floating holidays 

• 401K with 6% match 

• Paid Family Leave 

• Employee Assistance

• Disability and Insurance: Short + Long Term 

• Service Awards and recognition 

About the Texas Gulf Coast Region

The Texas Gulf Coast Region provides life-saving services to more than 9 million people in cities such as Corpus Christi, Beaumont, Harlingen and Houston. From disaster response and preparedness to health and safety training, and support for military families, the region plays a vital role in ensuring communities are ready for and supported through emergencies. With a workforce that is over 90% volunteers, the Gulf Coast Region is committed to mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors to prevent and alleviate human suffering across its counties.

Physical Requirements: 

Physical requirements are those present in normal office environment conditions. Operational flexibility is required to meet sudden and unpredictable needs. Ability to use a personal computer, applicable software, and office equipment for sustained periods of time. May include sitting for long periods of time, driving a vehicle, and working under challenging conditions.

*LI-POST

Apply now! Joining our team will provide you with the opportunity to

make your career a force for good!

The American Red Cross is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, San Diego Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and any other applicable state and local laws.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency that brings people together through service, and its partners — the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps Alums, National Peace Corps Association, and the Service Year Alliance — launched Employers of National Service to connect national service alumni with opportunities in the workforce. American Red Cross is proud to be an partner and share our employment opportunities with the network of organizations.

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