Executive Director - Military Veterans

As one of the nation’s premier humanitarian organizations, the American Red Cross is dedicated to helping people in need throughout the United States and, in association with other Red Cross networks, throughout the world. When you join our team, you have a direct impact on a meaningful mission, and you can help save lives every day. If you share our passion for helping people, join us in this excellent career opportunity. Work where your career is a force for good.

We are committed to the diversity of our workforce and to delivering our programs and services in a culturally competent manner reflecting the communities we serve. Our work environment is collaborative, respectful, and inclusive with a focus on building allyship and a culture of belonging that empowers all team members. Come to learn, grow, and succeed while sharing your passion for making a difference.

The Red Cross supports a variety of cultural and community resource groups for employees and volunteers. From the Ability Network, our Asian American & Pacific Islander Resource Group, the Latino Resource Group, and Red Cross PRIDE, to the Umoja African American Resource Group, our Veterans+ Resource Group, and the Women’s Resource Group, these networks provide connections, mentoring and help give voice to important concerns and opinions.

At the American Red Cross, your uniqueness can shine!

We are currently seeking a professional, innovative and enthusiastic Executive Director for our Illinois River Valley Chapter, based in Romeoville, IL.  The American Red Cross of the Illinois River Valley serves 1.1 million people in 5 counties including Grundy, Kane, Kendall, LaSalle, and Will.

Bi-lingual in Spanish is a definite plus.

NOTE: In order to receive full consideration, please upload a formatted copy of your updated resume when applying to this position. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

This position involves very little operational responsibility. It is an external-facing, community relations position. It is a plus if the successful candidate has established connections within the community.

This position is responsible for supporting region-led mission capacity building, informing the regional leadership team of community needs and perceptions, and strengthening relationships across all elements of the community by communicating the American Red Cross programs, capabilities and opportunities for community involvement.   Reporting to the Regional Chief Executive Officer, the position serves as the primary liaison to the community supported by Community Volunteer Leaders and the Chapter Board.  This position works alongside the volunteers and employees assigned to deliver mission fulfillment in the Region and Chapter and is a member of the Region Leadership Team.

This is accomplished through the following key areas of responsibility:

1. Serves as the Face of the Red Cross to maximize Red Cross presence and connectivity in the community and expand the community’s recognition of the breadth of the Red Cross contribution to the community.  

2. Develops sustained community relationships to ensure capacity to achieve region mission goals.

3. Develops and manages the chapter board to effectively mobilize support and resources around the Red Cross mission.

4. Develops and manages community volunteer leaders to: serve as the Face of the Red Cross in assigned territories; to support mission capacity building by developing key community partnerships; and to recruit volunteers.

5. Influences to create an environment of teamwork and inclusion to effectively deliver against the Red Cross mission. Serves, when assigned, as a member of the Elected Officials Liaison Network supporting disaster responses across the nation.

WHERE YOUR CAREER IS A FORCE GOOD:

Serves as the Face of the Red Cross to maximize Red Cross presence and connectivity in the community and expand the community’s awareness of the breadth of the Red Cross contribution to the community.

Manages a portfolio of strategic relationships with local elected officials and key community leaders and stakeholders with specific outcomes defined jointly by the Regional Executive and the Executive Director. This includes local elected government officials, legislators, and those with potential to collaborate with the Red Cross on volunteer recruitment and engagement, the disaster cycle (prepare, respond, recovery), Service to the Armed Forces, Training Services, and/or Biomedical Services as determined by the region. Conveys information and fosters increased awareness across the community of the full extent of Red Cross service delivery in a manner as to deepen the connectivity and commitment to the Red Cross as a primary partner, meriting community support.

2.  Develops sustained community relationships to ensure capacity to achieve region mission goals.  

2a. Revenue: ED to lead the chapter in supporting achievement of region revenue target, including support of Sound the Alarm events/STA fundraising target achievement (as applicable) and board member external solicitation goals; and meets assigned individual fundraising target by cultivating strong United Way relationships (as applicable), meeting annual chapter board member giving campaign, and maintaining a small number of key donor accounts as defined by the Regional Executive.

2.b. Mission Capacity Building: Supports achievement of the region volunteer engagement goals, blood collection goals, and community engagement mission goals by identifying and stewarding specific strategic relationships in the community and serving as a connector for internal stakeholders for these activities. Leverages the board mission capacity committee, biomed committee, diversity committee, and community volunteer leaders to meet established goals.

3. Develops and manages the chapter board to effectively mobilize support and resources around the Red Cross mission. The chapter board must meet all published board guidance for board membership, committees, and member engagement in the mission (has all required committees; board engagement plan completed for all board members using template provided; board members understand board member giving expectations and personally meet board member give and solicitation expectations).

4. Develops, leads, and manages community volunteer leaders who are responsible for serving as the Face of the Red Cross in assigned territories; supporting mission capacity building by developing key community partnerships.

5. Influences to create an environment of teamwork and inclusion to effectively deliver against the Red Cross mission by ensuring that information flow is facilitated.  The Executive Director informs the regional team, as well as volunteers and staff assigned to the chapter area, of community needs and communicates the American Red Cross programs and capacity needs to the community.  

6. Serves as a member of the Elected Officials Liaison Network supporting disaster responses in the chapter area, regional area and nationally. May be asked to deploy to disasters outside the chapter jurisdiction for up to 2 weeks. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

Education: Four-year college degree (BS/BA) in Business, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Finance or non-profit administration or equivalent experience required. Prefer Master’s degree in the field of community organization, public or business administration or non-profit management.

Experience: Minimum of 7 years related experience. Demonstrated ability to exercise good and timely judgment in complex situations. Demonstrated ability for strong communications and influencing skills along with public speaking and writing. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement fundraising strategies. Demonstrated ability to build sustain community relationships/partnerships Proven experience in influencing others and building relationships.

Management Experience: N/A.  Experience working in an environment requiring flexibility and managing change.

WHAT WILL GIVE YOU THE COMPETITIVE EDGE (Preferred Qualifications): Bi-lingual in Spanish preferred.

Other: Proficient with MS Office software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Familiarity with federal state and local employment laws.  

Skills & Abilities: Ability to work on a team.

Travel: Travel within communities served and region, occasionally division. May travel and participate in meetings and conferences throughout chapter jurisdiction, state and Red Cross system.  May include sitting for long periods of time, driving a vehicle and working under challenging conditions.  A current valid driver's license and good driving record is required.

Combination of candidate’s education and general experience satisfies requirements so long as the total years equate to description’s minimum education and general experience years combined (Management experience cannot be substituted).

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. The work environment will consist of moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, phones and printers, light traffic). The employee must have the ability to work in a small cubicle and have the ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.

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 + Holidays

401K with 4% match

Paid Family Leave

Employee Assistance

Disability and Insurance: Short + Long Term

Service Awards and recognition

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