At ALSAC you do more than make a living; you make a difference.
We like people who are different…because we’re different, too. As one of the world’s most iconic and respected nonprofits, we know what it’s like to stand out. That’s why we’re looking at you. Your background, perspective, and desire to make an impact set you apart. As we work to help St. Jude cure childhood cancer, we're calling on the game-changers, innovators and visionaries to join our family. Not just for the kids of St. Jude, but also for you. Because at ALSAC, we develop and celebrate our employees. So, bring your whole, authentic self and become part of our shared mission: Finding cures. Saving children.®
Job Description
The Director, DIY & Community Fundraising is responsible for the strategic leadership, growth, and operational success of ALSAC's community-based fundraising portfolio, including DIY fundraising initiatives and youth-focused programs such as Math-A-Thon and Trike-A-Thon. This role provides leadership for the development, planning, and execution of fundraising strategies on both a national and regional level, ensuring sustainable revenue growth, exceptional participant experiences, and operational excellence.
This leader will play a critical role in shaping the future of ALSAC's community fundraising portfolio by identifying opportunities to modernize, scale, and diversify fundraising programs while advancing the mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The Director collaborates extensively across Marketing, Product, Technology, Analytics, Finance, Territory Operations, and volunteer leadership to develop innovative strategies, drive organizational alignment, and achieve enterprise fundraising goals.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Growth & Portfolio Leadership
- Develop and execute long-term strategic growth plans for assigned fundraising programs, including DIY, youth, and community fundraising initiatives.
Evaluate portfolio performance, identify growth opportunities, and establish multi-year strategies that increase revenue, participation, retention, and market penetration.
- Explore emerging fundraising trends, digital engagement models, and new revenue-generating opportunities to support future portfolio growth.
- Lead the annual planning process, including fundraising strategies, performance goals, resource requirements, and investment recommendations.
Program Management & Execution
- Direct the implementation of national and regional fundraising initiatives, ensuring consistency, scalability, and operational effectiveness.
- Lead execution of annual strategic and operational plans for assigned programs and ensure achievement of budgeted revenue targets and key performance indicators.
- Analyze program performance, participant data, market trends, and financial results to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
- Ensure all programs operate efficiently and effectively while maintaining alignment with organizational priorities and established policies.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration
- Build strong relationships and shared accountability across functional teams to drive program growth and participant engagement.
- Influence and align stakeholders across multiple departments to execute strategic initiatives and achieve business objectives.
- Collaborate with internal partners to develop integrated marketing, digital, technology, and participant engagement strategies that enhance fundraising outcomes.
- Communicate national program strategies, priorities, and objectives effectively with field leadership and local staff.
Team Leadership & Talent Development
- Lead, develop, mentor, and coach a high-performing team in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Develop problem-solving capabilities and leadership skills among direct reports and broader team members.
- Establish performance expectations and support professional growth and development opportunities.
Volunteer & External Relationship Management
- Cultivate and maintain productive relationships with volunteers, community leaders, third-party organizations, and strategic partners.
- Represent ALSAC and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in a manner that reflects positively on the organization and advances fundraising goals.
- Support the development and delivery of program training, educational resources, and volunteer engagement initiatives.
Financial & Operational Management
- Develop, manage, and monitor program budgets and resource allocations.
- Ensure programs operate within approved budget parameters while maximizing return on investment.
- Utilize data and reporting to guide strategic decisions and performance improvements.
Job Requirements
- 6 years of relevant experience. Bachelor's degree preferred.
- Knowledge of fundraising, including experience with peer-to-peer fundraising strategies within the nonprofit sector.
- Experience developing and executing fundraising, community engagement, or volunteer-led growth strategies.
- Strong understanding of participant engagement, volunteer management, and community-based fundraising models.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze data, evaluate program performance, identify trends, and make strategic recommendations.
- Experience collaborating across multiple functional areas, including marketing, technology, analytics, finance, and operations.
- Experience with internal communications, budgeting, and special event fundraising.
- Knowledge of active lifestyle industry-related business practices a plus.
- Thorough knowledge of management principles and leadership practices.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate complex information and business strategies.
- Experience leading teams, coaching employees, and driving results in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency with data processing and reporting applications.
- Requires travel up to 20-25% including nights and weekends.
Benefits & Perks
The following Benefits & Perks apply to Full-Time Roles Only.
We’re dedicated to ensuring children and their families have every opportunity to enjoy life’s special moments. We’re also committed to giving our staff excellent benefits so they can do the same.
- Core Medical Coverage: (low cost low deductible Medical, Dental, and Vison Insurance plans)
- 401K Retirement Plan with 7% Employer Contribution
- Exceptional Paid Time Off
- Maternity / Paternity Leave
- Infertility Treatment Program
- Adoption Assistance
- Education Assistance
- Enterprise Learning and Development
- And more
ALSAC is an equal employment opportunity employer.
ALSAC does not discriminate against any individual with regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or other protected status.
No Search Firms:
ALSAC does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All resumes submitted by search firms to any ALSAC employee or ALSAC representative via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without being contacted and approved by our Employee Experience team and without a valid written search agreement in place will result in no fee being paid if a referred candidate is hired by ALSAC.
