Senior Director of Development, Leadership Gifts

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Ensure that all messaging and material presented by the Development Office is consistent with the vision of the Bishop of Bridgeport.
• Adhere to the U.S.C.C.B. Charter for Safe Environments Policy for Virtus compliance and adhere to the civil laws and reporting procedures.
• Partner with the CDO to develop short and long-term strategies, including setting and achieving associated measurable goals for leadership gifts, which include gifts for immediate need and planned gifts.
• Research capabilities of Raiser’s Edge (NXT) and implement selected modules/functions to leverage system capabilities consistently to target, interface and steward our donors.
• Manage the Major Gifts Officer.
• Manage a portfolio of leadership and major gift prospects ($10,000+); Develop and implement fundraising strategies to identify, research and engage new prospective donors; cultivate and solicit prospects for gifts of significance for micro-campaigns.
• Collaborate with all areas within the DOB, including parishes, schools, foundations, cemeteries and other institutions, such as Catholic Charities.
• Partner with the CDO regarding strategy for any future diocesan capital campaigns.
• Create materials, proposals, prospectuses and stewardship reports to present to current and prospective donors. These materials can include written, digital, social and video elements.
• Engage volunteers in the development process, especially regarding prospect identification and the solicitation cycle.

Education/Qualifications/Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Five years of significant and diversified fundraising experience in development, leadership and major gifts, preferably in a not-for-profit setting.
• Demonstrated success in securing visits with donors/prospects as well as proven track record of personally cultivating relationships and closing leadership and major gifts.
• Experience and familiarity with planned giving, capital campaigns and endowments.
• Deep knowledge of Catholic faith and teachings.
• Essential that the individual be courteous, articulate, and reliable, have a strong attention to detail and be able to multi-task in a busy, professional environment.
• Able to efficiently organize work, work under pressure and to effectively manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent organizational, written/verbal communication and interpersonal and relationship skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills include the ability to interact and collaborate with a variety of people.
• Working knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or equivalent fundraising software/database system.
• Able to embrace and work collaboratively in a highly challenging and visible work environment, and the ability to work evenings and weekends as required.
• Active member of a parish/faith community in good standing with the Church.