VP of Development Officer

VP of Development Officer

The role is national and ideally located in Chicago or St. Louis (national office location) but will be considered anywhere in the US for the right candidate.

About AAIR

Everyday 10+ Americans unnecessarily die from an asthma exacerbation. Countless more die from anaphylaxis each year. As a national 501(c)(3), we are changing that. We are also saving healthcare expenses for governments, payors and individuals alike, as we do so. Our Mission is to make sure every child is Rescued at school, Healthy at home, and Connected to care.

Our intention is to change systems. Forever.

About The Position

Reporting directly to the CEO, the VP of Development will serve as a senior leader responsible for building and leading AAIR’s development function through its next stage of growth. This role will own strategy and performance across AAIR’s four primary revenue streams: individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation support, and government funding. The Chief Development Officer will be both a strategist and a builder: developing AAIR’s multi-year development plan, cultivating and advancing key funding relationships, strengthening the systems and infrastructure required for national fundraising, and, over time, building and leading a development team capable of supporting a growing national organization.

As AAIR expands its reach and works toward annual revenue exceeding $20 million by 2031, the Chief Development Officer will serve as a key strategic partner to the CEO, Board, and leadership team in shaping a diversified, sustainable funding model to support that growth.

Key Responsibilities

Development Strategy & Leadership

Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, Board, and organizational leadership in developing and executing AAIR’s long-term development strategy as the organization expands from its historic regional presence into its growing national leader role.

• Lead the development of a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising and development plan aligned with AAIR’s strategic growth, programmatic priorities, and revenue goals.
• Take ownership of AAIR’s four primary revenue streams: individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation support, and government funding, ensuring a diversified and sustainable funding model.
• Establish measurable goals, strategies, pipelines, and performance indicators across each revenue stream and regularly evaluate progress against organizational targets.
• Identify opportunities to expand and diversify AAIR’s funding base, including major gifts, national corporate partnerships, institutional funding, recurring giving, planned giving, and other emerging revenue opportunities.
• Partner closely with the CEO to evaluate funding opportunities and determine where AAIR should invest time, relationships, and organizational resources to support long-term growth.
• Bring a forward-looking perspective to funding strategy, helping AAIR anticipate the development infrastructure, relationships, and resources required as the organization scales nationally.

Development Infrastructure & Team Building

• Build and strengthen the systems, processes, and infrastructure necessary to support a sophisticated national development program.
• Over the coming years, build and lead a development team that grows appropriately alongside AAIR’s revenue, geographic reach, and organizational complexity.
• Assess future staffing needs within the development function and make recommendations regarding roles, responsibilities, structure, and timing of additional hires.
• Establish clear development processes and accountability across prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, grant management, reporting, and donor engagement.
• Ensure AAIR’s donor and prospect management systems provide leadership with accurate and actionable information regarding pipelines, relationships, opportunities, and revenue projections.
• Develop a culture of philanthropy across the organization by partnering with staff, leadership, and Board members to strengthen their participation in relationship-building and fundraising.

Revenue Development & Relationship Management

• Develop, cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships across individual, corporate, foundation, and government funding sources at both the regional and national levels.
• Personally manage and advance high-value funding relationships and opportunities while building systems that allow the organization to manage an increasingly sophisticated portfolio of prospects and supporters.
• Develop strategies for major gifts, recurring giving, planned giving, corporate partnerships, foundation relationships, and government funding.
• Build national corporate support through both existing relationships and new partnerships, including opportunities for third-party fundraising, in-store activation, cause marketing, and high-profile public engagement.
• Maintain a strong understanding of AAIR’s programs, outcomes, economic value, and national growth strategy and translate that work into compelling funding opportunities for diverse audiences.

Key Personal Attributes – Please apply if exhibiting these traits excites you

• Fearless—in tackling challenges and pursuing bold goals.
• Collaborative—values teamwork, consensus-building, and shared success.
• Creative & Curious—seeks continuous improvement and innovative solutions.
• Driven—results-oriented, self-motivated, and passionate about our mission.
• Methodical—organized, detail-focused, and able to move ideas into action.
• Reliable—able to deliver high-quality work consistently and on time.
• Trusted—respected by diverse stakeholders and community partners.
• Positive—brings optimism and energy to the team.
• Lifelong learner—open to new ideas and professional growth.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience, with demonstrated success across individual, corporate, foundation, and government funding.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies, building development infrastructure, and driving measurable revenue growth.
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward significant donor, corporate, foundation, and institutional relationships.
• Experience leading or helping build a development team, with the ability to scale systems, processes, and staffing as organizational needs evolve.
• Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and relationship-building skills, with experience partnering with executive leadership and Boards.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: 135K - 150K, plus a potential performance bonus

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Flexible, supportive work environment (hybrid/remote options available)

And Purpose.

Please email resume and well thought out cover letter of no more than one page to llane@weareaair.org