Sr. Program Manager, Mission Advancement

Overview

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.

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 American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a Senior Program Manager, Mission Advancement Operations.

This position can be home-based.

Mission Advancement is a 100+ person department accountable for outright and deferred major and principal gift revenue development from individuals, as well as for foundation giving and government funding.  Mission Advancement Operations provides the strategies, programs, processes, systems, and workforce capabilities that enable the department to achieve its annual goals and advance its long-term transformation. Mission Advancement revenue has doubled during the past five years through the combined strength of donor- and volunteer-facing teams and strategically designed operational infrastructure. We intend to build on this trajectory through integrated processes and systems, workforce development, and emerging technologies that strengthen future capabilities.

Mission Advancement Operations provides revenue-generation infrastructure and business operations services. Revenue-generation infrastructure includes individual and foundation prospect research, portfolio management, lead-generation and content marketing communications, donor and professional advisor engagement, operation of the American Heart Association Professional Advisor Network, proposal development, and resource management. Business operations services include budget management, talent development and training, performance management, gift processing, reporting and compliance submissions. The division also manages a robust technology portfolio comprising an average of 10–15 active projects across these service areas.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the National Vice President, Development Operations, the Senior Program Manager, Mission Advancement Operations leads planning, implementation, and performance reporting for a broad portfolio of operational and transformation priorities. The role provides the structure, coordination, and execution discipline needed to advance work across the full scope of Mission Advancement Operations and to communicate progress, outcomes, and return on investment.

This position translates operational vision, priorities, and assignments into structured implementation plans, delivery, and measurable results. While project management and communication are critical strengths of the individual in the position, this is a delivery role, responsible not only for planning and coordinating but also for getting work done. 

The position may supervise up to one staff member and is accountable for establishing the program management structure and execution discipline required to advance the operational and transformation portfolio.

Advance Operational Excellence

• Translate operational vision and priorities into clear and actionable program plans, workstreams, milestones, ownership, dependencies, and success measures. 
• Develop and manage the portfolio of Mission Advancement Operations goals and projects. Maintain visibility into progress, risks, decisions, outcomes, and staff contributions across the portfolio; elevate matters requiring National Vice President action or direction; and drive timely decision-making and follow-through.
• Lead cross-functional planning and implementation for annual and multi-year operational priorities in partnership with the National Vice President, Operations Leadership Team, and other stakeholders. Facilitate planning and solution development, establish roadmaps and project plans, clarify participant roles, maintain action-item accountability, monitor progress, and recommend corrective action when needed.
• Ensure completed projects and initiatives transition successfully to operational owners with appropriate documentation, controls, and sustainment plans.

Advance Operational Technology and Transformation

• Manage day-to-day delivery across the technology project portfolio. Coordinate follow-up with Business Technology implementers, monitor milestones and dependencies, resolve execution barriers, and provide the National Vice President with clear updates on progress, exceptions, decisions, and escalation needs.
• Work closely with the VP and operations leadership colleagues to implement the ELEVATE vision for technology-enabled transformation.
• Ensure the identification, documentation and establishment of the semantic layer needed for future transformative technology projects across Mission Advancement.
• Establish and maintain Mission Advancement agent register
• Coordinate approved artificial intelligence, automation, Copilot, and agent-enabled initiatives including support for engagement related to workforce upskilling.

Workforce Effectiveness and Change Enablement

• Manage the Mission Advancement onboarding and offboarding process and resources, including the strategic content development of role-specific plan templates, development and maintenance of Mission Advancement subject matter expert presentations, coordination with national HR onboarding, and engagement/notification of stakeholders. 
• Project manage the implementation of prioritized improvements arising from employee engagement surveys and other department feedback. 
• Plan and oversee Mission Advancement department meetings and Operations Division meetings. Develop agendas with leadership input; coordinate presentations, executive talking points, production, and stakeholder readiness; and ensure decisions and follow-up actions are documented and advanced.
• Prepare for and oversee production of the annual Mission Advancement Awards, Operations Division awards and related processes and materials. 
• Coordinate approved professional development initiatives for Mission Advancement, including implementation planning, stakeholder communication, participation support, and progress tracking, as directed by the National Vice President.

Staff Supervision

• May supervise, coach, and develop up to one staff member.
• Establish clear priorities, performance expectations, development objectives, and workload alignment.
• Delegate appropriate project coordination, documentation, reporting support, meeting logistics, and action tracking while maintaining accountability for timely, high-quality delivery.
• Maintain an operating model that distinguishes senior program management responsibilities from project coordination support.

Division Performance Measurement

• Partner with the National Vice President and Operations leaders to establish a layered portfolio of key performance indicators across the division’s scope. Track and analyze results, develop clear reports and infographics, and validate data with workstream owners to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent reporting.
• Alert to opportunities, recommendations for action, and escalation points for the National Vice President.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum five (5) years of management experience in the nonprofit setting, to include project management, program management, campaign management, and/or P&L responsibility.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional programs or projects from planning to execution to final reporting.
• Experience translating a senior leader’s vision and priorities into implementation plans, coordinated workstreams, and measurable results.
• Experience applying project management, operational improvement, and change enablement practices.
• Demonstrated ability to establish structure, clarify ownership, manage dependencies, drive accountability, and advance work through completion.
• Experience developing and using KPIs, project plans, dashboards, performance measures, status reports, and decision-support materials.
• Experience with strategic business development and management related to technology projects.
• Working knowledge of foundation giving, major and legacy gift development, and the infrastructure supporting this area of development operations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, facilitation, stakeholder management, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and coordinate work across teams in a hierarchical culture without relying on formal authority.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work with limited supervision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, GenAI, project management, and collaboration tools.
• Experience supervising, coaching, or directing the work of a staff member.
• Ability to travel up to 5%, including occasional overnight travel.

Preferred Experience, Skills, and Training

• Direct experience and/or working knowledge of lead generation marketing, prospect research, proposal development, and stewardship communications.
• Experience or working knowledge of the financial and estate planning advisory industry. 
• Experience in a national nonprofit organization.
• Hands-on experience supporting operational transformation, process automation, artificial intelligence, Copilot, agent-enabled workflows, CRM, data, or digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience coordinating onboarding, offboarding, professional development, employee engagement, or workforce activation programs.
• Experience measuring adoption, efficiency, quality improvement, operational impact, and benefit realization.
• Project management, change management, Lean, Six Sigma, or comparable certification or training.
• Change management frameworks and models.
• CFRE, CAP, or IPA Preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

The minimum salary to the midpoint of the range is $76,800.00 to $100,000.00. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials may apply to the pay range. This position is eligible for an incentive, with the potential to earn up to XX% of your base pay. The American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range. 

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; eligibility for an incentive program is based on the type of position.  
• 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