At the American Cancer Society, we’re working to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Our employees and 1.3 million volunteers are raising the bar every single day. We are a culture comprised of diverse backgrounds and experience, to better serve our communities.

The people who work at the American Cancer Society focus their diverse talents on our lifesaving mission. It is a calling. And the people who answer it are fulfilled.

This is a fully remote position and can be based anywhere within the U.S.

Provides enterprise-wide leadership for the vision, strategy, and growth of Distinguished Events as a core fundraising channel, with accountability for more than $100 million in annual revenue. Defines the long-term direction, value proposition, and operating model for Distinguished Events, ensuring consistent execution, scalability, and sustained revenue growth across markets.

This leader drives innovation, donor engagement strategy, and portfolio expansion while ensuring operational excellence, financial performance, and alignment with enterprise priorities. Serves as the primary strategic owner of Distinguished Events across the organization, partnering with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to drive adoption, performance, and long-term impact.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Defines and leads the enterprise-wide strategy, growth model, and positioning for Distinguished Events, ensuring scalability and sustained revenue growth exceeding $100M. 30%

Drives a donor-centric engagement strategy across markets, establishing consistent approaches to cultivating, stewarding, and advancing high-value donors and partners. 20%

Builds and leads a high-performing team, establishing clear direction, accountability, and adoption of enterprise strategies, tools, and best practices. 20%

Partners with enterprise and market leadership to align Distinguished Events strategy with broader organizational priorities, ensuring consistency and integration across fundraising channels. 15%

Establishes performance frameworks, metrics, and governance while overseeing financial strategy, resource allocation, and portfolio optimization to maximize return on investment and long-term sustainability. 15%

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred Degree: Bachelor’s Degree

Years of experience: 10+ years of experience leading multimillion-dollar fundraising initiatives, including developing and executing complex, enterprise-level strategic plans. 5+ years of people management experience, including team building, change management, and talent development. Demonstrated experience working with, leading, and developing volunteers, including volunteer recruitment, engagement and stewardship.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:

Proven ability to define and scale enterprise-level fundraising strategies across multiple markets

Expertise in building and evolving high-value fundraising channels or portfolios.

Advanced ability to influence across a matrixed organization and drive alignment at senior levels.

Demonstrated success leading large, high-performing teams and developing senior leaders.

Deep expertise in major donor, corporate partnership, and volunteer leadership engagement strategies.

Strong financial acumen, including portfolio-level forecasting, investment strategy, and ROI optimization.

Ability to translate data and insights into enterprise-wide strategy and decision-making.

Exceptional communication and executive presence, including representing the organization externally.

Strong change leadership skills, with the ability to drive adoption of new strategies and practices at scale.

Ability to think long-term and position programs for sustained growth and impact.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Travel required including evening and weekend work.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

No specific physical requirements

The starting rate is $160,000 to $175,000. The final candidate’s relevant experience/skills will be considered before an offer is extended. Actual starting pay will vary based on non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.

ACS provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits. We are a proud equal opportunity employer.