Elementary School Development Director

Duties

• Collaborates with the Pastor and/or Principal in implementing the educational mission of the parish.
• Participates 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.
• Collaborates in regional/deanery planning and development efforts as appropriate.
• Directs the parish's/school's Development Plan.
• Establishes short (annual) and long (3-5 year) range goals and objectives for the Development office based on the parishes/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.
• This includes relating with these publics: parish leadership; parents of current, former, and future students; school faculty and staff, former and current students; members of the parish, and local civic and business leaders and residents.
• Plans, directs, and assures the implementation of this annual campaign.
• Coordinates the establishment of an Alumni Association.
• Develops effective communication systems with alumni to provide ongoing current information between the school and the alumni, and attracts alumni support for fundraising activities and the annual fund program.
• Plans and directs 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 Major Gifts/Corporate Sponsorship Program.
• Researches, cultivates, solicits, and follows up on major gifts from private or corporate donors. This may include grant writing and/or personal solicitation, or matching appropriate potential donors with "askers."

Position Analysis

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of fund development (major/planned giving).
• The ability to organize, create, and implement development efforts through the use of marketing techniques.
• Knowledge of church organizational and operational procedures.
• Able to communicate effectively, both verbally (including oral presentations) and in writing.
• Ability to handle multiple projects/priorities.
• 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 a calculator, basic computer software, and all basic office equipment.

Education/Work Experience Requirements

• Minimum education 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.
• 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 parish/school 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 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 may be desirable in some geographical locations.