Executive Director

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.

We are currently hiring for an Executive Director for our Des Moines and Ames, IA markets.  We are seeking an inspiring leader to drive the strategy and execution of corporate revenue, communications, and health impact goals. This position will office at home and can be based anywhere in the Des Moines metro area. 

The Executive Director will provide direct coaching and supervision to six staff who handle corporate fundraising campaigns, communications and marketing, community impact efforts, and administrative support.  Will also manage the local advisory volunteer board.  This position will have a revenue accountability of approximately $1M.

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.

• Devise and implement the strategy and direction for the market’s unified health and revenue efforts.
  
  
• Guide and direct team to achieve goals.
  
  
• Develop and manage a volunteer Board of Directors, consisting of top-level corporate executives.
  
  
• Build powerful partnerships with volunteer, community, and corporate leaders, sponsors, and other internal and external stakeholders.

• 4+ years of experience in fundraising or outside sales or in a non-profit organization in a similar capacity. This experience may also count towards satisfying this position’s educational requirement.
  
  
• 2+ year of experience in a management capacity.  This experience may occur within the 4-year related experience requirement.  Experience gained through direct internal work on American Heart Association projects/priorities may substitute for this requirement and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  
  
• Experience in managing a volunteer board preferred.
  
  
• 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 number goals, as well as fundraising reports. Skill in use of spreadsheet/database analysis.
  
  
• Ability to do daily travel up to 75% and overnight travel up to 35%.
  
  
• Must have at least basic knowledge and skill with Microsoft Office used for word processing, email, presentations, and spreadsheets. Advanced knowledge and skill with these programs is preferred. These skills are subject to testing.
  
  

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 2024 Goal: Every person deserves the opportunity for a full, healthy life. As champions for health equity, by 2024, the American Heart Association will advance cardiovascular health for all, including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality.

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.

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EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities