What are the responsibilities and job description for the Elementary School Development Director position at Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg?
- Collaborates with the Pastor and/or Principal in implementing the educational mission of the parish. This is accomplished by participating in the comprehensive planning, implementation, and evaluation of the parish's/school's goals, with specific focus on the parish's/school's development plan. Incumbent also collaborates in regional/deanery planning and development efforts as appropriate.
- Directs the parish's/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 parishes/school's long-range plan. Incumbent may assist the Pastor and other parish/school leadership in developing the parish's/school's long-range plan. Incumbent facilitates the development and publication of an articulated, written case statement about the parish/school, which tells the story of Catholic education and also includes the parish's/school's philosophy, values, mission, and public and community contributions.
- Assures the development and implementation of a comprehensive public relations and communications plan. This includes relating with these publics: parish leadership; parents of current, former, and future students; school faculty and staff, former and current students; members of the parish, and local civic and business leaders and residents.
- Assures the establishment of an Annual Appeal/Fund Program for the parish and school. Incumbent plans, directs, and assures the implementation of this annual campaign.
- Coordinates the establishment of an Alumni Association. Incumbent accomplishes this by developing effective communication systems with alumni to provide ongoing current information between the school and the alumni, and by attracting alumni support for fundraising activities and the annual fund program.
- Assures the establishment of an Endowment Fund. Incumbent plans and directs the implementation of this program, which provides opportunities for potential donors to invest in the parish/school through options such as major gifts, bequests and deferred giving.
- Assures establishment of EITC funding for scholarships.
- Assures the establishment of a Major Gifts/Corporate Sponsorship Program. This is accomplished by researching, cultivating, soliciting, and following up on major gifts from private or corporate donors. This may include grant writing and/or personal solicitation, or matching appropriate potential donors with "askers."
- Performs other work-related duties as assigned.
- Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of fund development (major/planned giving), with the ability to organize, create, and implement development efforts through the use of marketing techniques.
- Knowledge of church organizational and operational procedures is required.
- 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, and must be able to handle multiple projects/priorities.
- Incumbent must also be competitive and resourceful in an organization that has an infinite amount of needs and a finite amount of financial resources.
- Perform basic math and be proficient with gift planning software such as Crescendo or PG CALC.
- Knowledge of a calculator, basic computer software, and all basic office equipment is required.
- Minimum education of a Bachelor's degree in communications, finance, and/or marketing, or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a comparable field. with five to eight years' experience in a comparable position.
- Experience in the development field preferred.
- Experience running direct mail and advertising campaigns for planned giving required
- Continuing education is required to maintain knowledge of tax codes affecting charitable giving and maintain a level of knowledge and skills required to serve as a parish/school Development Director. This is accomplished by reading material related to the profession, by attending workshops or conventions, and by participating in local, regional, and diocesan professional organizations, as approved and as appropriate.
- This position requires specific knowledge of the Catholic Church organization and procedures or experience in a complex multi-unit organization (preferably nonprofit) with a service orientation.
- Practicing Catholic required.
- Position requires a valid driver's license.
- Bilingual in Spanish may be desirable in some geographical locations.
JobID: 1931
Position Type:
Administration/Development Director-Elementary School
Administration/Development Director-Elementary School
Date Posted:
4/10/2026
4/10/2026
Location:
Seven Sorrows BVM School
Seven Sorrows BVM School
Date Available:
June-July 2026
June-July 2026
Job Description
Director of Development/Advancement for an Elementary School
Part-Time (20 hours per week)
City & State: Middletown, PA
School: Seven Sorrows BVM School
Payroll Grade: 14 FLSA Status: Exempt
NATURE OF POSITION: The purpose of this position is to develop and implement a comprehensive development program for the school/parish. The Development Director involves a diversity of parish community membership, which includes: faculty, staff, students, families, parishioners, as well as the general public, in accomplishing the development program's mission.
REPORTING FUNCTION: Reports to pastor and/or principal
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Duties may include any or all of the following:
POSITION ANALYSIS:
EDUCATIONAL/WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: