Director of Development and Donor Relations

Job Description

The Director of Development & Donor Relations is a senior development leader responsible for major gifts strategy and execution, donor relations and stewardship, and partnering across the Foundation to elevate a best in class donor experience. The Director manages a focused portfolio of mid and major gift prospects and donors; leads cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies; and drives donor communications and recognition programs. The Director collaborates closely with the Planned Giving Officer to align donor journeys and messaging, ensuring seamless coordination on legacy and endowment opportunities (the Planned Giving Officer leads the planned giving program).

This role combines strategic leadership with hands on relationship management and coordination of donor engagement events, communications, and reporting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or CFRE preferred.

EXPERIENCE:
5+ years of fundraising experience, with a track record in major gifts and donor relations/stewardship.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
Proven ability to manage a personal portfolio and meet activity/revenue goals (e.g., ~8-12 donor visits per month).

Experience collaborating with planned giving colleagues and familiarity with planned giving concepts; this role does not oversee planned giving.

Strong command of donor databases/CRM, reporting, and moves management.

Commitment to the mission, teachings, and values of the Catholic Church; ability to work effectively with clergy, parish/school leaders, board members, and diverse stakeholders.

ROUTINE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Major Gifts Leadership & Portfolio Management

Build and manage a portfolio of high capacity prospects and donors; develop individualized cultivation and solicitation plans aligned with the Foundation's priorities. Target portfolio size in the range of ~75-100 relationships, adjusted to quality and stage of cultivation.
Conduct regular donor meetings, with an annual target of approximately 10-15 visits per month to deepen relationships and solicit support.
Craft donor specific strategies, proposals, presentation materials, and solicitation teams; coordinate leadership involvement (Executive Director, board/committee members, clergy) as appropriate.
Plan and execute cultivation and recognition touchpoints and select small format donor events to advance relationships and celebrate impact.

Donor Relations & Stewardship (Program Ownership)

Lead a comprehensive donor relations strategy: acknowledgments, impact reporting, recognition, and year round gratitude and engagement cadence.
Partner with the communications function to produce donor facing materials (letters, updates, cases for support, briefings), ensuring message consistency and high standards.
Collaborate with the Planned Giving Officer to align Legacy Society communications and events so that major gift and legacy stewardship are coordinated and mutually reinforcing.
Maintain accurate, timely activity and contact reports in the CRM (e.g., Raiser's Edge) to support transparency, pipeline health, and stewardship quality.

Events, Communications & Special Projects

Lead or support key donor facing events (briefings, small salons, recognition gatherings), including concepts, run of show, speaker prep, and follow up.
Oversee production of donor impact communications and stewardship reports tied to restricted gifts, endowments, and priority initiatives.
Support the Executive Director and board/committee members with donor strategy briefings, prospect pipelines, and meeting preparation.

Data Integrity, Reporting & Compliance

Ensure donor activity is recorded promptly; monitor moves management, forecasts, and reporting dashboards to guide decisions.
Adhere to ethical standards and maintain strict confidentiality in all donor and board matters.
Stay current on philanthropic trends and charitable giving practices that influence cultivation and stewardship approaches.

Performance Competencies:
Demonstrated success managing a sophisticated major gifts portfolio with measurable results.
Excellent relationship building, listening, and consultative solicitation skills; ability to convey impact and vision with clarity and warmth.
Superior writing and presentation skills with keen attention to detail and donor personalization.
Strong planning, time management, and follow through; adept at balancing strategic leadership with tactical execution.
Data driven and comfortable with CRM systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge) and Microsoft Office suite.
Professionalism, discretion, and a hospitality mindset consistent with Catholic values and the Foundation's mission.
Set annual fundraising goals in consultation with the Chief Development Officer/Executive Director.

OTHER DUTIES:
As requested.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Employees are regularly required to talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Employees are frequently required to walk and stand and lift and move items weighing 25 pounds or less.
• Ability to travel within the six counties of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

A competitive salary will be offered to the successful candidate as well as a full-benefit package.

Qualified applicants should submit a resume and a letter of interest to:
Deacon Jeff Hirst at jhirst@diopitt.org.

Application materials must be received by March 27, 2026.

About the Employer

Building A Bridge To The Future.