Director of Development and Alumni Relations

Job Description

PRIMARY PURPOSE:
To support and promote the St. Mary's Parish mission by implementing and overseeing development activities to expand the base of financial support from a broad range of sources.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Director ensures effective work practices in financial accounting and reconciliation, database management, gift recording, donor acknowledgement and stewardship
• Maintain records on current and prospective donors.
• Creates and maintains an alumni database to be utilized as prospective donors and new parents.
• Maintain a strict level of confidentiality on all matters relating to parish and school business.

Strategic Planning:
• Develop and maintain a five-year development plan in keeping with the mission of the Parish.
• Prepare and maintain an annual development budget and calendar.

Grants and Giving:
• Identify potential major donors-individual, corporate, and foundations-cultivate relationships, solicit and maintain ongoing, quarterly communication.
• Implement individual giving campaigns including the fall stewardship drive (parish), Annual Fund (school), planned giving, and capital campaigns in accordance with the annual development plan.
• Research, identify, and apply for grant opportunities that align with parish and school priorities; write and submit grant proposals, and manage required reporting.

Fundraising Events:
• Function as liaison to volunteer committees charged with events such as Steve Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament (St. Mary's Men's Club), Steak Out (Steak Out Committee), and Trivia Night (parish volunteer team)
• Ensure cohesion and prevent overlap between fundraising events to assuage donor and sponsor burn out.
• Evaluate effectiveness of existing fundraising events to locate possible areas of improvement

Database Management:
• Use PDS Parish Platform to establish and maintain a database of donors and school alumni related to development activities and targeted communications.
• Prepare, send and monitor letters of solicitations for donations and gifts.
• Monitor chairs and assure the correct donations and gifts are recorded.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education
Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred (in nonprofit management, business, communications, or related field).

Experience
• Minimum 3-5 years of progressive experience in fundraising, nonprofit development, alumni relations, or related field.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating and soliciting gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Experience leading annual funds, stewardship drives, and capital campaigns strongly preferred.
• Experience with event planning and volunteer management.

Skills & Competencies
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable with public speaking and relationship-building.
• Proven ability to develop and manage budgets, track progress, and deliver on fundraising goals.
• Proficiency in donor management databases (experience with Parish Data System (PDS) or similar preferred).
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Proven ability to research and secure grant funding; strong grant writing skills with attention to detail and compliance requirements

Other
• Commitment to the mission of the Catholic Church; ability to work collaboratively with parish and school leadership, staff, and volunteers.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as required for events and donor relations.

Please visit www.stmarymobile.org/now-hiring to apply.

About the Employer

We, the people of St. Mary's Parish, responding to God's call, come together to live a Catholic Christian life. We invite others to welcome Christ into their lives and strive to build the kingdom of God. We seek to provide an environment for faith-filled worship, ongoing education, and dedicated service to each other and the community.