Job Description

Job Summary

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

We are currently seeking a professional, innovative and enthusiastic Executive Director to service our Mid-South Chapter in Memphis, TN. This position is an external-facing, community relations position. Success starts with your ability to be a part of the fabric of the community. Understanding the local landscape, knowing the key players, and naturally connected. 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 and working alongside the volunteers and employees assigned to deliver mission fulfillment in the Region and Chapter as a member of the Region Leadership Team.

Job Responsibilities

WHERE YOUR CAREER IS A FORCE FOR GOOD

1. 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.

Note that American Red Cross salaries are aligned to the specific geographic location in which the work is primarily performed. Other factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, how many years of experience you have and comparison to other employees already in this role. This role also includes a generous incentive plan. 

100% in-person- field work w/regularly community based travel. This role is eligible for relocation assistance.

Qualifications

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 5 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:Influential Leadership experience is a must!

Other: Proficient with MS Office software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Familiarity with federal state and local employment laws. Knowledge of Salesforce.
Skills & Abilities: Highly motivated with ability to work independently and collaboratively with a strong Executive 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.

Additional Information

Benefits

BENEFITS FOR YOU:

As a mission-based organization, we believe our team needs great support to do great work. Our comprehensive package includes:

• Medical, Dental Vision plans
• Health Spending Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts
• PTO: Starting 15 days a year; based on type of job and tenure
• Holidays: 11 paid holidays comprised of six core holidays and five floating holidays
• 401K with 6% match
• Paid Family Leave
• Employee Assistance
• Disability and Insurance: Short + Long Term
• Service Awards and recognition

How to Apply

Resumes will not be accepted by mail, email, or fax. Please use this link to apply: https://americanredcross.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/American_Red_Cross_Careers/job/Memphis-TN/Executive-Director-C_RC86883

Details

• Date Posted: March 10, 2026
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Administrative
• Service Area: Board Leadership

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