Director of Development

The Director of Development leads fundraising activities for the school and parish. S/he reports to the School President and is a member of the parish leadership team. S/he is someone who thrives in a small team environment with an outstanding ability to cultivate relationships with a broad range of parish and school benefactors and constituents. The Director of Development has a "can do" attitude and is generous, personable, and candid.
Responsibilities

Leadership and vision - Establishes philanthropic vision and strategy, including major giving, annual giving, grants, campaigns, and planned giving:
o Develops and executes fundraising strategies in collaboration with the School President, Pastor, and Director of Operations.
o Leads a growing team of staff and volunteers.
o Applies creative strategies and fundraising best-practices to Lourdes' development operations.
o Collaborates with finance team to establish systems and processes that ensure timely donor recognition and robust data to support fundraising decisions.

Donor relations/major gifts -
o Develops relationships with prospective and current benefactors.
o Grows a major gifts program including identification and cultivation of prospective donors.
o Oversees grant-seeking activities including research, grant writing and reporting.
o Plans and executes giving campaigns.
o Develops fundraising communications and collateral.

Gala - Plans and executes the school's annual gala:
o Oversees event planning and execution including venue selection, vendor management, silent and live auction, communication and promotion.
o Develops and manages sponsorship relationships.
o Chairs the volunteer committee.
o Develops and manages the event budget.

Alumni and parent relations - develops alumni and parent relations programs and activities.

Capital Campaigns - leads capital campaigns for parish and school:
o Participates in parish and school strategic decision-making, including capital decisions.
o Develops and execute capital campaigns.

Stewardship - Supports Pastor in executing an annual Stewardship campaign to encourage parishioner tithing.

Qualifications
o Bachelor's degree with 5-10 years' development experience; experience in a Catholic environment a plus.
o Executive presence and poise necessary to interact with major benefactors, church and lay leaders; adept at developing and maintaining positive donor relationships.
o Superior interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written; able to present the parish and school mission and giving opportunities in a compelling manner.
o Excellent organizational and time-management skills, able to manage multiple projects and prioritize responsibilities.
o Event planning experience.
o Experience managing a team preferred.
o Refrains from promotion of, or the living out of, any conduct or lifestyle that would reflect discredit or disgrace on, or cause scandal in relationship to, Our Lady of Lourdes, or considered to be in contradiction with Catholic doctrine or morals.