Demo

Director of Development

Diocese Of Gaylord
Gaylord, MI Full Time
POSTED ON 9/3/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 10/2/2026
Position: Director of Development

Diocese of Gaylord

Employment Type: Full-time

Location: Gaylord, MI

General Summary:

The Director of Development will lead and cultivate a robust development program within the diocese that focuses on donor relationships through effective discovery, cultivation, and stewardship activities. The director is responsible for managing and cultivating relationships with major donors as well as identifying new donors. The director works closely with Finance and Communications teams on projects related to the Catholic Services Appeal and other diocesan fundraising efforts.

Successful Candidate

  • Ability to empathize with donors and clearly communicate the mission of the Church.
  • Energize team members, persuade prospects, and persevere to the end.
  • Self-starter driven by results.
  • Agile problem solver who is open to learning new strategies.
  • Passionate about the mission of the Catholic Church.
  • Job Duties
  • In a team environment, lead the development of fundraising and donor appreciation plans to meet both annual and long-term needs of the diocese.
  • Secure gifts $10,000 with the goal of raising at least $500,000 annually from major giving and foundation solicitations.
  • Lead the annual Catholic Services Appeal Campaign.
  • Manage systems and software to track and cultivate donors and prospects, including donor database and wealth screening tools.
  • Make direct, face-to-face solicitations, and assist parishes with the solicitation (e.g., provide portfolio development support, strategic counsel, and help with donor communications).
  • Lead donor thanking and reporting efforts.
  • Negotiate vendor contracts with the assistance of Director of Finance as needed.
  • Maintain diocesan administrator rights to Blackbaud
  • Prepare and manage grant applications and reporting as applicable to the diocese.
  • Prepare reports using specific metrics.
  • Other duties as assigned.


Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, business, fundraising or related field.
  • Certification as a Certified Fund Raising Manager (CFRM) or Certified Fund Raising Executive (CRFE) a plus.
  • At least two (2) years of non-event fundraising or related customer services/sales experience. Supervisory experience is a plus.
  • Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.
  • Track record of providing excellent customer service and valuing the generosity of others.
  • Working knowledge in digital marketing.
  • Excellent writing and compelling speaking skills.
  • Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies. Comfort with video conferencing a plus.
  • Strong organizational skills and familiarity with LEAN methods a plus.
  • Proficient in using a database. Experience in donor software, particularly Raiser’s Edge, a plus.
  • Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, with current auto insurance and the ability to travel throughout northern Michigan.
  • Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required.


Physical Demands:

  • Periods of prolonged sitting and working with hands in repetitive motion tasks.
  • Requires some lifting, standing, stooping, kneeling, and bending.
  • This position will require travel.
  • Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs.

Salary.com Estimation for Director of Development in Gaylord, MI
$141,680 to $192,704
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Director of Development?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Director of Development career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$215,042 - $285,725
Income Estimation: 
$272,340 - $371,244
Income Estimation: 
$105,549 - $167,174
Income Estimation: 
$128,536 - $205,780

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs with skills like those required for the Director of Development.

Click the checkbox next to the jobs that you are interested in.

  • Content Marketing Skill

    • Income Estimation: $195,825 - $239,418
  • Content Strategy Skill

    • Income Estimation: $195,825 - $239,418
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Diocese Of Gaylord

  • Diocese Of Gaylord Traverse, MI
  • Position: Human Resources and Accounting Assistant Grand Traverse Area Catholic School Employment type: Full-time Location: Traverse City, MI Human Resourc... more
  • 2 Days Ago

  • Diocese Of Gaylord Pellston, MI
  • Position: Music Director Saint Clement of Pellston Employment type: Part-time Location: Pellston, MI General Summary: The Music Director is a member of the... more
  • 2 Days Ago

  • Diocese Of Gaylord Traverse, MI
  • Position: Chief Advancement Officer Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools Employment type: Full-time Location: Traverse City, MI Chief Advancement Officer w... more
  • 2 Days Ago

  • Diocese Of Gaylord Traverse, MI
  • Position: After School Care Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools Employment Type: Part-time Location: Traverse City, MI Immaculate Conception Elementary an... more
  • 2 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Director of Development jobs in the Gaylord, MI area that may be a better fit.

  • The Cruise Director Alpena, MI
  • Cruise Director American Cruise Lines, the largest USA flagged cruise line in the United States, is looking to add Cruise Directors to our shipboard team f... more
  • 1 Month Ago

  • CatholicJobs.com Gaylord, MI
  • Diocese of Gaylord Gaylord, MI Job ID#: 9008177129 Posted September 2, 2026 Expires November 1, 2026 Category Fundraising Terms Full-Time Employee Experien... more
  • 2 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!