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 a National SVP, Direct Response in our Development and Community Health department based at our National Center office in Dallas, TX.

This position can be home-based.

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.

The SVP will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive direct response strategies, managing a team of fundraising professionals, and driving revenue growth through direct mail, digital marketing, telemarketing, and other direct response channels. This is a senior leadership position that requires strategic thinking, exceptional communication skills, and a strong background in both traditional and online marketing, as well as direct response fundraising.

• Develop and execute a national direct response fundraising strategy that aligns with the organization's mission, goals, and values. Develop and manage the direct response fundraising budget, tracking expenses and revenue projections to achieve financial goals. Provide strategic guidance and support to regional and local fundraising teams, ensuring consistency and alignment with national direct response objectives.
• Develop strategies to meet the evolving landscape of direct response fundraising and strategies for the future.
• Lead and manage a team of direct response fundraising professionals, providing guidance, mentorship, and support to maximize their performance and achieve revenue targets.
• Oversee the planning, implementation, and optimization of direct mail, digital marketing, telemarketing, and other direct response campaigns to drive donor acquisition, retention, and revenue growth. Oversee the planning, execution, and optimization of digital fundraising campaigns, including email marketing, online giving platforms, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer fundraising, and social media fundraising.
• Collaborate with the marketing and communications team to develop compelling and persuasive fundraising messages, appeals, and creative assets for direct response campaigns. Collaborate with the digital marketing team to create compelling and persuasive digital fundraising appeals, landing pages, and donor engagement strategies.
• Utilize data analytics and segmentation strategies to identify target audiences, personalize fundraising appeals, and optimize campaign performance. Utilize data analytics and digital tracking tools to measure and analyze the effectiveness of digital fundraising campaigns and make data-driven decisions to optimize performance. Monitor and analyze key performance metrics, including response rates, average gift size, and return on investment, to evaluate campaign effectiveness and make data-driven decisions.
• Stay informed about emerging trends and best practices in direct response fundraising and integrate them into the organization's fundraising strategies. Identify and pursue new opportunities for revenue generation through digital fundraising, including exploring new platforms, technologies, and partnerships. Monitor and ensure compliance with relevant digital fundraising regulations, data protection laws, and ethical standards. Stay informed about relevant fundraising regulations, ethical standards, and data protection laws to ensure compliance at the national level. Stay informed about emerging trends and best practices in digital fundraising and integrate them into the organization's overall fundraising strategy.
• Responsible for shaping and driving multi-channel direct response fundraising strategy across the organization.
• Provides vision, strategic direction, and operational excellence across Direct Mail, Digital, DRTV, Telemarketing, and Online Giving programs, ensuring strong donor acquisition, retention, and sustained revenue growth.
• Leads a high-performing team of fundraising and marketing professionals, partners closely with regional and national colleagues and industry agency experts, and ensures that all direct response efforts align with organizational goals, brand standards, and mission impact.
• Requires a data-driven strategist, an innovative marketer, and a seasoned fundraising leader with deep expertise in both traditional and digital channels.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture that emphasizes creativity, donor-centric thinking, and data-driven decision making.

• Ten (10) years of experience developing marketing plans, consumer response systems, and digital/interactive customer relationships.
• Eight (8) years of Supervisory experience.
• Experience in a non-profit environment and fundraising/development.
• Ability to create dynamic and engaging marketing communications.
• Experience developing strategy and multi-faceted interaction with donors.
• Leadership experience in developing and coaching a successful team.
• Experience in marketing software solutions.

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, with the potential to earn an incentive up to 37% of your base pay. The potential incentive is based on achieving certain revenue targets and triggers.
  
  
  
• 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