Executive Director, Iowa

The American Lung Association has an excellent opportunity for an Executive Director, Iowa & Minnesota. Working as a member of the Development department, you will join an outstanding group of professionals dedicated to our mission: to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research, education, and advocacy.

The person in this role will be responsible for increasing mission activities through effective and successful implementation of fundraising initiatives and for creating an atmosphere in which market staff and volunteers successfully partner to meet all American Lung Association strategic imperatives. As the lead fundraiser in Iowa the Executive Director is responsible for meeting and/or exceeding all revenue goals related to Special Events, Corporate Development, Community Foundations and Individual Giving with an emphasis on unrestricted revenue streams. This is accomplished through leadership, management and growth of market revenue generating capacity and the recruitment and engagement of high-level volunteers for Leadership Board and Event Committee service. The Executive Director will serve as the lead staff in the market, fostering a spirit of camaraderie among the local staff team reflected in exceptional community engagement.

This position will also lead unrestricted fundraising activities (Fight for Air Climb, cause marketing, corporate sponsorships), and support the Local Leadership Board in the Twin Cities.

Within the first 18 months of placement this leader will:

• Expand Local Leadership Board in Iowa to 15-18 members,
• Working with Division Vice President to support the Local Leadership Board in the Twin Cities and expand the membership to 15-18 members.
• Achieve Revenue targets for the Fight for Air Climbs in Des Moines and the Twin Cities by establishing event leadership committees, engaging new corporate partners and the implementation of best practice recruitment and coaching activations.
• Develop a strategic plan, and engage volunteer leaders, around the launch of an additional fundraising event in Iowa and/or the Twin Cities in FY27.

Location: The position is located at the American Lung Association’s Urbandale, Iowa office and will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual work.

Responsibilities:

Fundraising Responsibilities:

• Serve as the lead development officer and oversee unrestricted revenue goals in Iowa & Minnesota including special events, individual and corporate giving.
• Meet or exceed fiscal unrestricted revenue goals.
• Ensure the effective implementation of all fundraising activities including, but not limited to, signature events and cause campaign, using nationwide, proven-effective best practices.
• Lead nationally-designed LUNG FORCE (Strategic Cause Campaign) activities.
• Directly manage, hire, train and evaluate all fundraising staff ensuring that the team is tracking to meet market revenue goals. Provide on-going development opportunities, feedback and course corrections when necessary.
• Develop, cultivate and solicit a personal portfolio of local corporate prospects with an emphasis on meeting and/or exceeding corporate revenue goals in event sponsorship and cause related marketing.
• Working together with the Nationwide Individual Giving Team, develop, cultivate and solicit a personal portfolio of individuals for mid-level, major and/or planned gifts.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy amongst staff and volunteers.
• Provide effective support for volunteer fundraisers.
• Evaluate market success and potential and, together with the Division Vice President, develop plans which support market revenue growth and mission delivery.
• Identify and foster corporate relationships for potential multi-region and/or nationwide engagement.

Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement:

• Establish and build strategic and sustained relationships with key business leaders, individual donors, event participants, top government officials, members of the media and community leaders.
• Identify and recruit a strong Leadership Board Chair and Vice Chair and work with them during their two-year term to foster a culture of philanthropy amongst all volunteer leadership.
• Identify, recruit and engage a strong market Leadership Board of 15-18 members in each location using Nationwide, proven-effective best practices. Leadership Board members must have the capacity and connectivity to leverage resources and influence support. Revenue raised as a result of Leadership Board member involvement will be tracked and measured against American Lung Association standards.
• Serve as the staff lead to the Leadership Boards, providing guidance, support, materials, reports and assistance in implementing annual work plans while ensuring the on-going development of a strong and participatory Leadership Board.
• Provide an annual analysis of Board performance.
• Responsible for the recruitment and engagement of corporate leaders to chair all event committees.
• Together with the Development Team support, manage and successfully engage a committee of corporate leaders for each signature event.

Mission:

• Serve as the first point of contact in the market for constituents, media and general public, coordinating with the market staff team to best handle inquiries about the American Lung Association’s mission.
• Together with the Mission Team, cultivate community relationships.

Operational and Fiscal Management:

• Provide a supportive, positive, collaborative working environment for staff and volunteers.
• Foster a strong working relationship between mission and development teams.
• Operate within the approved budget for the North Carolina market ensuring maximum resource utilization and a positive financial position.
• Provide regular updates to Division Vice President including revenue forecasting.
• Participate in training opportunities and provide encouragement for the team in North Carolina to do the same.
• Actively participate on regional and/or national work teams to collectively improve development outcomes.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Division Vice President.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university required, preferably in Non-Profit Management, Marketing, or related field.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• A minimum of eight years in non-profit management with a successful track record in revenue generation through peer-to-peer special events and corporate development.
• Ability to successfully leverage relationships and negotiate agreements.
• Proven supervisory, leadership, and team building skills.
• Strong experience in volunteer recruitment and engagement.
• Experience with individual donors a plus.
• Ability to meet American Lung Association’s standards of excellence, professionalism, and integrity.
• Ability to work as a critical part of a larger nationwide team, building a strong working relationship between the Iowa and Minnesota markets and the National office.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and frequently changing deadlines with ease and adaptability.
• Proactive and service oriented, with strong problem-solving skills.
• Must have a valid Driver’s license and your own reliable transportation with the ability to travel within Des Moines Metro area (and occasional trips outside of Iowa) 50% of the time for meetings and conferences, and to the Twin Cities up to 5-6 times per year for key meetings and fundraising events. Must have the flexibility to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends with some overnights required.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds (event supplies).
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office programs. Thorough understanding of information technology and the ability to use e-commerce and database platforms.
• Consistent with its mission, the American Lung Association maintains a smoke-free workplace; all employees must abstain from tobacco use in any form, including vaping.

Compensation: Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location. The target hiring range for this position is between $85,000 and $105,000 per annum.

Benefits: The Lung Association offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Paid Leave - 15 vacation days in the first year (20 days thereafter), 2 personal days and 15 sick days per year, as well as 12 company-paid holidays per year. We also offer Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees.
• Insurance - Employees (and their eligible dependents) can enroll in our medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as voluntary plans for critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, short-term disability and supplemental life/AD&D insurance. Employees will be enrolled in company-paid life/AD&D and long-term disability Insurance coverage.
• Retirement Plan - Eligible employees can participate in our 401(k) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, which offers matching employer contributions (up to 4%) and year-end discretionary non-elective contributions.

Questions? For more details about this role please reach out to alahr@lung.org.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The American Lung Association is committed to employ, in its best judgment, the most suitable candidates for approved positions while engaging in recruitment and selection practices that are in compliance with all applicable employment laws. We are an equal opportunity employer: women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Policy Statement

It is the policy of the American Lung Association to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to their race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or physical and/or mental disabilities, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. The American Lung Association will take affirmative action to employ, advance in employment and otherwise treat all individuals in the foregoing categories without discrimination in all employment practices. This policy applies in all Human Resources actions including recruitment, selection, evaluation, promotion, compensation and training.