Elementary School Development Director

About the Role

The purpose of this position is to develop and implement a comprehensive development program for the school/parish. The Development Director involves a diversity of parish community membership which includes: faculty, staff, students, families, parishioners, as well as the general public, in accomplishing the development program's mission. This position reports to the pastor and/or principal.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborates with the Pastor and/or Principal in implementing the educational mission of the parish, by participating in the comprehensive planning, implementation, and evaluation of the parish's/school's goals, with specific focus on the parish's/school's development plan. Incumbent also collaborates in regional/deanery planning and development efforts as appropriate.
• Directs the parish's/school's Development Plan by establishing short (annual) and long (3-5 year) range goals and objectives for the Development office based on the parish/school's long range plan. May assist the Pastor and other parish/school leadership in developing the parish's/school's long-range plan.
• Facilitates the development and publication of an articulated, written case statement about the parish/school which tells the story of Catholic education and also includes the parish's/school's philosophy, values, mission, and public and community contributions.
• Assures the development and implementation of a comprehensive public relations and communications plan, relating with these publics: parish leadership; former and current students; parents of current, former, and future students; school faculty and staff; members of the parish; and local civic and business leaders and residents.
• Assures the establishment of an Annual Appeal/Fund Program for the parish and school, including planning, directing, and assuring the implementation of this annual campaign.
• Coordinates the establishment of an Alumni Association by developing effective communication systems with alumni to provide ongoing current information between the school and the alumni, and by attracting alumni support for fundraising activities and the annual fund program.
• Assures the establishment of an Endowment Fund by planning and directing the implementation of this program which provides opportunities for potential donors to invest in the parish/school through options such as major gifts, bequests, and deferred giving.
• Assures establishment of EITC funding for scholarships.
• Assures the establishment of a Student Recruitment program by researching and identifying prospective students, by prompting and hosting various recruitment activities or special events; i.e., home gatherings, open house, on-site visits to feeder day care and preschools, and making telephone and in-person contacts/calls. Also promotes recruitment efforts for the school through press releases, public service announcements, advertisements, billboards, newsletters, etc.
• Serves as staff to the Parish/School Development Committee by participating in the recruitment and selection of members, assuring members understand their responsibilities, and collaborating with the Committee Chair in preparing the agenda and in assigning and monitoring task completion.
• Assures the establishment of a Major Gifts/Corporate Sponsorship Program by researching, cultivating, soliciting, and pursuing major gifts from private or corporate donors. This may include grant writing, personal solicitation, or matching appropriate potential donors with "askers."
• Coordinates all fundraising activities for the parish/school by collaborating with parish leadership, Parents' Club, School Commission, and other fundraising groups in the parish/school to develop a planned, consistent, and organized approach to fundraising, including monthly calendaring of events.
• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of fund development (major/planned giving), with ability to organize, create, and implement development efforts through use of marketing techniques.
• Knowledge of church organizational and operational procedures is required.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally (including oral presentations) and in writing.
• Position requires creativity, decision-making, interpersonal skills, use of discretion, teamwork, negotiation, independent judgment/action, problem analysis, service orientation, and public relations to foster the Church's mission and Parish/School relations.
• Ability to handle multiple projects/priorities.
• Incumbent must be competitive and resourceful in an organization that has an infinite amount of needs and a finite amount of financial resources.
• Perform basic math and be proficient with gift planning software such as Crescendo or PG CALC.
• Knowledge of calculator, basic computer software, and all basic office equipment is required.
• Experience running direct mail and advertising campaigns for planned giving required.
• Continuing education is required to maintain knowledge of tax codes affecting charitable giving and maintain a level of knowledge and skills required to serve as a Development Director. This is accomplished by reading material related to the profession, by attending workshops or conventions, and by participating in local, regional, and diocesan professional organizations as approved and as appropriate.
• This position requires specific knowledge of the Catholic Church's organization and procedures or experience in a complex multi-unit organization (preferably nonprofit) with a service orientation.
• Practicing Catholic required.
• Position requires a valid driver's license.
• Bilingual in Spanish is desirable.

Education & Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in communications, finance, and/or marketing; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a comparable field with five to eight years' experience in a comparable position.
• Experience in the Development field preferred.