Development Director

                                                               St. Mary School, German Village
                                                                       Development Director

Position Summary

The Development Director is a full-time position and is responsible for supporting the
school by providing development and related/public relations services at the direction of
the Principal and/or the School Board. The Development Director is responsible for
implementing an annual development plan in coordination with the principal and the
School Board. This person spends a majority of time soliciting major gift donors and
prospects, coordinating the fundraising efforts for the school, overseeing all fundraising and
capital projects for St. Mary School. Duties of the Development Director are organized into
three areas: solicitation, program development and program management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
(The essential functions/major responsibilities listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types
of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from
the position. Duties and responsibilities are also subject to change by the employer as the needs of the
employer and requirements of the job change.)

Solicitation
• Identify, cultivate and solicit current and potential donors and sponsors for both the
events of the school and endowment targeting gifts of $10,000 and above. This
includes initiating appointment requests through phone calls and contact letters,
scheduling appointments and making the ask.
• Identify, cultivate and secure legacy giving donors through wills, life insurance, trusts
and retirement plan designations for school endowment. Where possible, seek verbal
or written documentation of the dollar value of legacy gift commitments.
• Prepare individual communication, cultivation and solicitation plans for each major
gift donor/prospect to include gratitude phone calls, personal notes, invitations to
special events, timing and approach of next ask.
• Oversee database maintenance and timely acknowledgement of gifts or donations
through thank-you letters and yearly contribution reports with the Advancement
Office.

Program Development
• Collaborates with the School Board and or Principal in implementing the
educational mission of the school. This is accomplished by participating in the
comprehensive planning, implementation and evaluation of the school’s goals, with
specific focus on the development plan.
• Directs the School’s Development Plan. Incumbent accomplishes this by establishing
short (annual) and long (3-5 year) range goals and objectives for the development
office based on the school’s long range plan. Incumbent may assist the Principal
and/or School Board and other parish/school leadership in the development of the
school’s long-range plan. Incumbent facilitates the development and publication of
an articulated, written case statement about the school which tells the story of
Catholic education and also includes the school’s philosophy, values, mission, and
public and community contributions.
• Establish development goals with collaboration of the School Board and principal.
• Monitor progress meeting goals against periodic benchmarks.
• Develop budget, goals and benchmarks for events and Endowment.
• Prepare/order materials so projects can begin at appropriate time.
• Collaborate with the School Board/Principal in handling public relations and
communications activities for the school community.
• Work collaboratively with School/Parish Administration Team to share long-term
goals of development office and coordinate and implement monthly activities.
• Plan fundraising events and work collaboratively with employees and volunteers to
achieve benchmarks for events.
• Work with volunteers to organize committees to handle events as needed.
• Oversee the continuing development of volunteers to help solicit donations.
• Participate in diocesan in-services as requested by the principal.
• Maintain a level of knowledge and skills required by professional reading, attendance
at workshops or conventions, and participation in professional organizations.

Program Management
• Prepare the annual development income and expense budget in collaboration with
the Principal and/or School Board.
• Oversee the continuing updating of our ParishSoft Database.
• Prepare diocesan and government reports.
• Prepare and present monthly reports for the School Board and Principal.
• Maintain a strict level of confidentiality on all matters relating to school and parish
business.
• Perform other work-related duties as requested by the School Board/Principal.

COMMUNICATION/CLIENT CONTACT:
• Contacts are normally made inside and outside the school and parish. Contacts are
usually made on own initiative or at Principal’s/School Board’s request and frequently
contain confidential/sensitive matters.

Qualifications
SPECIFIC JOB SKILLS:
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of fund development (major/planned
giving), with the ability to organize, create and implement development efforts through use
of marketing techniques. Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church.
Knowledge of school and church organizational operating procedures is required.
Incumbent possesses 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. Must be able to handle multiple projects/priorities. Incumbent must also
be competitive and resourceful in an organization that has an infinite amount of need and a
finite amount of financial resources. Perform basic math and be proficient with gift
planning software. Knowledge of calculator, basic computer software and all basic office
equipment is required. Must/Will have current satisfactory BCI & FBI background checks
and attended or be willing to attend a VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children training.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
B.A. in communications, finance, public relations and/or marketing or an equivalent
combination of education and experience in a comparable field with 3-5 years experience in
a comparable position.
Prefer 2-4 years experience working with nonprofit or religious organization. Experience in
Development field preferred. Continuing education is required to maintain knowledge of
tax codes affecting charitable giving. Experience running direct mail and advertising
campaigns for planned giving required. Practicing Catholic with thorough knowledge and
understanding of Catholic teachings, practices and organizational structure.  Valid driver’s license required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, talk, reach,
sit, hear, handle and perform repetitive motions of the hands/wrists. Lifts and moves items
up to 30 pounds.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Incumbent is required to perform extensive computer work in a school or office setting. Job
duties will require employee to manage evening/meeting weekends and attend school
events and functions. Work is performed in and out of the office setting. Employee is
required to travel extensively. Occasional overnight and or/weekend work is required, as well
as overnight travel. Extensive computer skills are required to effectively complete work. The
physical demands and work environment characteristics described above are representative
of the physical capabilities that must be met by an employee and the working conditions
that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to
perform the essential functions.

TO APPLY:
Email Monsignor Joseph Hendricks at [email protected] with resume and cover letter