Mission Advancement and Stewardship Director

Job Description

Job description:

Please note this is an onsite, permanent position in San Jose.

Top Skills:

Stewardship
Fundraising
Donor Engagement and relationships
Strong Catholic Faith
Required Skills/Abilities:

Demonstrated success in overseeing successful fundraising programs, including annual fund campaigns
Proven ability to cultivate and solicit major gifts of $500,000 or more
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
Possesses a sound working knowledge of the Catholic faith and Church hierarchy, especially related to stewardship and charitable giving
Must maintain up-to-date personal certification for Safe Environment program in compliance with USCCB requirements
QUALIFICATIONS TO PERFORM THE JOB SUCCESSFULLY:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Education and/or Experience:

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Non-Profit Administration, or a related field.
Advanced degree or certification in Philanthropy or related field preferred.
Minimum of five to seven years in a leadership capacity in fundraising or related work experience, preferably in a non-profit/religious environment and multicultural community.
Three or more years in stewardship education a plus, preferably in the Catholic Church.
Other Requirements:

Must be a practicing Catholic with in-depth knowledge of Church structure and culture
Ability to articulate and communicate the vision, mission, and philosophy of the organization
Proven leadership ability within community, religious, and professional settings
Familiarity with Santa Clara County and parish/school structures in the U.S. preferred
Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills
Exceptional communication and data analysis abilities
Ability to work in a diverse, multicultural environment
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Vision, Strategy & Leadership

Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive fundraising and stewardship strategy across annual, major, capital, grant, and planned giving.
Advise and support the Bishop in establishing philanthropic priorities and advancement strategies
Collaborate with parishes and schools to strengthen local fundraising efforts and coordinate organization-wide initiatives
Provide regular performance reports and analysis to the Bishop, COO, CFO, and Cabinet
Partner with the Office of Communications to deliver donor-centered, mission-driven messaging and storytelling
Major Gifts, Donor Relations & Engagement

Manage a portfolio of major and leadership donors, overseeing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship in collaboration with senior leadership and clergy
Build and sustain relationships with key donors, foundations, and Catholic-aligned funding partners
Design and implement personalized donor engagement strategies aligned with donor values and mission impact
Ensure timely donor acknowledgment, recognition, and accurate documentation in the donor database
Establish and achieve annual fundraising and donor engagement goals
Partner intentionally with the Superintendent, principals, and school leadership to strengthen advancement efforts within Catholic schools:
Support the development of school-based major gift strategies aligned with organizational priorities
Assist schools in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding donors, including alumni and parent communities
Encourage alignment between parish, school, and organization fundraising efforts to present a unified mission
Provide guidance, tools, and formation to school leaders to build sustainable advancement capacity
Campaigns, Appeals & Special Initiatives

Lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of the Annual Appeal
Direct capital campaigns and special fundraising initiatives, ensuring strong participation and pledge fulfillment
Develop campaign strategies, materials, timelines, and training for parish staff and volunteers
Monitor results, analyze performance, and implement strategies to increase participation, retention, and revenue
Ensure consistent communication of impact aligned with organizational priorities
Planned Giving & Legacy Programs

Promote legacy giving as an expression of faithful stewardship
Educate and guide donors on planned giving vehicles in coordination with legal and financial advisors
Identify and cultivate planned giving prospects and manage the legacy society
Ensure accurate documentation, tracking, and stewardship of planned gifts
Establish and meet annual planned giving goals with pastoral sensitivity
Stewardship & Parish/School Engagement

Promote an organization-wide understanding of stewardship as a way of life rooted in gratitude, discipleship, and shared responsibility for the Church s mission
Develop and deliver comprehensive formation resources tailored to parishes, schools, and ministries at various stages of stewardship maturity
Actively partner with pastors, parish leadership teams, the Superintendent, and principals to strengthen local stewardship efforts
Lead and continually enhance the annual Stewardship Conference as a key moment of formation, inspiration, and collaboration
Work with pastors and parish leaders to identify, form, and engage the gifts of parishioners in service to the Church s mission
Leadership, Finance & Operations

Recruit, supervise, and develop advancement staff; foster a high-performing, mission-centered team
Support volunteer leadership, including the Bishop's Development Advisory Board
Oversee departmental budgeting, revenue forecasting, and financial analysis
Ensure accurate gift processing, compliance with donor intent, and adherence to financial, legal, and ethical standards
Manage development operations, systems, and CRM (including ParishSOFT); establish KPIs, dashboards, and standard operating procedures
Coordinate effectively with finance, communications, parish support, and ministry teams
Data, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement
Establish clear metrics and feedback loops to measure effectiveness and guide decision-making
External Relations & Professional Leadership

Manage relationships with external vendors and consultants
Represent the organization in professional associations and remain current on best practices in Catholic fundraising and stewardship
Candidates must provide their phone number. Reference job number is A5233.

About the Employer

We are a placement company placing candidates in Catholic organizations. Our client is a Catholic organization located in San Jose, CA.