Director of Advancement

Job Title: Director of Advancement

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

FLSA Status: Salaried, Exempt 

Employment Status: Full-time 

Work Location: Hybrid

Effective Date: September 2026

Position Summary: 

The Director of Advancement manages and oversees strategic business growth initiatives and fundraising development for Healthy Birth Day, Inc. This role is part of the core HBD leadership team, leading collaborative teams to execute commercial strategies, bringing cohesion to multiple business lines, identifying funding opportunities, overseeing strategic growth initiatives, managing key accounts, and developing long-term partner relationships. 

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

Revenue Generation

• Develop and implement business strategies with clear objectives, KPIs, and financial goals. 
• Drives new business by identifying potential clients and markets.
• Brings cohesion to multiple business lines while shaping product strategy.
• Oversight of paid licensing and contract procurement. 
• Seeks and writes large grant applications; responds to RFPs.

Outreach and Development 

• Builds and maintains long-term relationships.
• Acts as a public ambassador, promoting HBD’s mission and programs.
• Present to large groups of industry experts.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Planning

• Works with the other teams and departments to optimize business outcomes and align revenue generation with organizational goals.
• Contributes to organizational growth strategies and market positioning.
• Oversight of income and expenses of advancement budget that allows for strategic growth and efficiencies.

Other duties as assigned

Supervisor Responsibilities

• Supervise Advancement Team within HBD, which currently includes grants, program expansion and fundraising initiatives.
• Monitor team performance and ensure alignment with organizational objectives and timelines.
• Collaborate with the CEO and leadership to set expectations and provide support for staff execution of tasks.
• Ensure team adherence to organizational policies, communication standards, and SOPs.
• Foster professional development and maintain a positive, inclusive work environment.

Required Experience, Skills and Expertise

• Sales, marketing or R&D background
• Industry-specific knowledge (state health departments, birthing hospitals, clinical/OBGYN settings, and non-clinical settings)
• Strong understanding of the maternal health and stillbirth crises in the U.S.
• Proven history of developing and implementing business plans and achieving financial goals
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Analytical and strategic thinking
• Ability to manage complex client relationships and multi-stage sales cycles
• Highly organized and self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to present 
• Proficient in Salesforce, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Drive
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Flexible and adaptable, especially around event schedules and deadlines
• Positive attitude and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Strong ethical standards and a commitment to the organization’s mission
• Interest in nonprofit fundraising and/or development
• Experience supervising staff

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or a related field preferred.
• Proven track record and experience in business development.
• Maternal health, public health or hospital expertise is a plus.

Physical Demands and Work Environment 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• Primarily office-based or remote work requiring prolonged periods of sitting and computer use.
• Occasional lifting or moving of event materials or supplies.
• Travel to local and national events, which may involve walking, standing for extended periods, and carrying light materials.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings or weekends, around events and meetings.
• Hybrid work environment with the ability to work from home or from an office in the Des Moines, Iowa metropolitan area.

Travel: Occasional travel to local and national events. Some weekend and evening work will be required. 

Location: Ideal candidate is local to Des Moines Metro or can easily commute regularly, but open to candidates not in the area if the right fit for the position.

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, salaried 

Benefits: Comprehensive health benefits package, short-term disability, life insurance, 401k employer match, employee assistance program, 11 paid holidays and paid time off. Opportunity for an annual bonus in good financial years if goals are met or exceeded during annual review. 

About the Company: 

Healthy Birth Day, Inc. (HBD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of stillbirth. We foster a welcoming and inclusive culture and are best known for the Count the Kicks public health awareness campaign, which educates and empowers expectant parents to track their baby’s movements during the third trimester of pregnancy. Our goal is to save babies from preventable stillbirth in the U.S. each year and to reduce racial disparities that persist in birth outcomes. Healthy Birth Day provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Diversity of knowledge and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. Let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.