Chief Development Officer – WNY Region

American Red Cross

. Lead fundraising and advancement efforts across Western New York .

Posted 11/11/2026full-timeBuffalo • New York • United StatesLead💰 $118,000 - $133,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive experience in leading fundraising initiatives and developing comprehensive strategies to achieve significant revenue growth. Proven ability to cultivate donor relationships and manage high-performing teams within the nonprofit sector.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Fundraising Leadership ExperienceDevelopment Program ManagementDonor Cultivation and StewardshipStrategic Fundraising Strategy DevelopmentTeam Management and Performance Evaluation

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Fundraising Strategy DevelopmentRevenue Growth ManagementBudget DevelopmentPerformance Standards EstablishmentFundraising Program ImplementationMajor Donor SolicitationPhilanthropic Revenue IncreaseFundraising Metrics AchievementResource Allocation ManagementCampaign Oversight

Soft Skills

Excellent Interpersonal SkillsEffective Communication SkillsCollaborative TeamworkLeadership GuidanceExecutive Presence

Tools & Technologies

Raiser’s EdgeSalesforce.comMS Office

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's DegreeValid Driver's License

Industry Keywords

Philanthropic Community EngagementNonprofit FundraisingRegional DevelopmentBoard LiaisonVolunteer Leadership

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

SFDC

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead fundraising and advancement efforts across Western New York
Build on the existing foundation and provide vision and direction to the development team
Drive philanthropic growth and community impact
Establish a revenue-oriented culture based on market-driven targets
Strengthen and grow the donor base and development program to meet assigned financial targets of $7M-$15M
Lead staff and leadership volunteers in planning, managing, and implementing regional fundraising strategies
Cultivate donors and sponsors to meet monthly, quarterly, and annual revenue goals
Maintain a portfolio of major donors and prospects and personally make solicitations
Manage, hire, train, coach, evaluate, and manage the performance of a team
Manage resource allocations and coordinate staff assignments
Support, develop, and provide leadership guidance to volunteers
Develop and execute annual and multi-year regional fundraising strategies
Work directly with top donor prospects alongside regional development staff
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors at the $5,000 level or higher
Oversee organizational campaigns in the region
Direct the Regional Development team on strategic organizational decisions
Ensure regional fundraising reporting requirements are met
Achieve or exceed the region’s fundraising target and manage fundraising expenses
Personally conduct face-to-face donor solicitations and meet national/regional fundraising metrics
Cultivate corporate and foundation relationships for solicitation and stewardship
Collaborate with national headquarters development and donor recruitment staff
Serve as primary staff liaison to the Board’s Philanthropy Committee
Orient new Board members to fundraising responsibilities
Establish operating policies and procedures
Develop budgets, schedules, and performance standards

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree required
Minimum 7 years of fundraising leadership experience or equivalent combination of education and related experience required
5 years of management experience
Experience increasing philanthropic revenue from diverse constituencies
Experience developing and implementing broad-based fundraising programs
Knowledge of best practices in development
Current valid driver's license and good driving record required
Ability to relate well and work effectively with multiple constituencies and audiences
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written skills
Knowledge of MS Office and fundraising database systems such as Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce.com
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
Frequent travel within the Region; occasional travel within the Region, Division, and to Washington, DC
Experience leading and developing a high-performing fundraising team is a competitive advantage
Success developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies resulting in revenue growth is a competitive advantage
Established relationships within the Western New York philanthropic community, including Buffalo, Rochester, and surrounding counties, are a competitive advantage
Experience partnering with CEOs, boards of directors, and volunteer leadership is a competitive advantage
Exceptional executive presence and ambassadorial ability is a competitive advantage
Experience leading fundraising within a complex nonprofit with annual philanthropic revenue of $5M+ is a competitive advantage

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, Dental Vision plans
Health Spending Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts
PTO: Starting at 15 days a year; based on FLSA status and tenure
11 paid holidays comprised of six core holidays and five floating holidays
401K with up to 6% match
Paid Family Leave
Employee Assistance
Short-term and long-term disability insurance
Service Awards and recognition
Incentive eligibility
Mentors who empower career growth
Competitive compensation and benefits
Professional development and career advancement opportunities