Development Director

Description

Position: Director of Development

Status: Full time, Exempt

Reports To: Executive Director of Stewardship and Development

Position Summary

The Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph is seeking a Director of Development to advance the Church’s mission by fostering a spirit of Christian stewardship and generosity. Working closely with the Executive Director, this role leads strategic fundraising efforts through donor engagement, major gift cultivation, and stewardship initiatives. Primarily externally focused, the Director manages a portfolio of major donors, builds meaningful relationships with benefactors, and supports fundraising initiatives that sustain and grow support for diocesan priorities. This is a full time position averaging 40 hours per week.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Gifts & Donor Relations

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 70 major gift prospects and donors 
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward donor relationships to increase philanthropic support 
• Conduct regular in-person meetings and meaningful touchpoints with donors and prospects 
• Serve as a visible ambassador for the Diocese, clearly communicating mission impact and funding needs 
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies 
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation of all donor interactions in the CRM 

Fundraising Execution

• Implement established fundraising priorities and plans as directed
• Identify and qualify new donor prospects to expand the major gifts pipeline 
• Support coordinated fundraising efforts across diocesan initiatives 
• Track progress toward fundraising goals and provide regular activity and results reporting 

Events & Sponsorship Development

• Support diocesan fundraising events, including the School Bell Breakfast, and Bishop’s Golf Tournament and others
• Lead sponsorship outreach and solicitation efforts for events 
• Leverage events as opportunities to deepen donor relationships and identify new prospects 
• Assist in ensuring events are aligned with fundraising goals and donor engagement strategies 

Planned Giving & Donor Engagement

• Promote planned giving opportunities as part of donor conversations and long-term stewardship 
• Support communication efforts that increase awareness of legacy giving 
• Build relationships with professional advisors to strengthen planned giving opportunities 

Coordination & Administration

• Work closely with the Executive Director and internal teams to ensure alignment in messaging and donor engagement 
• Collaborate with finance and communications staff to support accurate gift processing and donor stewardship 
• Ensure adherence to ethical fundraising standards and diocesan policies 

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strong relationship-builder with a donor-centered approach 
• Results-oriented with a focus on securing gifts and meeting goals 
• Confident and professional in donor-facing settings 
• Highly organized with strong follow-through and attention to detail 
• Effective communicator with the ability to convey mission impact clearly and persuasively 
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage a portfolio and prioritize activity 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
• CFRE or advanced degree preferred 
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive fundraising experience with a demonstrated focus on major gifts 
• Proven success managing donor relationships and closing gifts 
• Experience with planned giving programs and strategies preferred 
• Proficient working in donor database systems and fundraising analytics 
• Familiarity with planned giving concepts preferred 
• Practicing Catholic with ethical standards, personal integrity, and conduct consistent with the morals and teachings of the Catholic Church.

Note: All employees are required to consent to a background check, commit to our Code of Conduct policy, and complete online and in-person trainings prior to hire.