Director of Stewardship and Development

Job Description

Saint Bede Catholic Church
Director of Stewardship and Development

Position Summary/Purpose:
The Director of Stewardship and Development is the chief fundraising staff member for Saint Bede Catholic Church. In collaboration with the Pastor, they plan and implement all fund-raising strategies.
The Director is responsible for implementing all fundraising initiatives including but not limited to regular monthly giving, debt reduction, capital campaigns, major gifts and planned giving. This position manages and oversees the use of fundraising software, analyzes and reports data and participates in the design and execution of special events.

The Director maintains an active donor recognition and stewardship program to assure accountability and extend relationships with funders. This position facilitates the identification, cultivation and solicitation of prospects. The Director will also develop annual stewardship programs that encourage gifts of time, talent and treasure.

Responsibilities and Duties:
This position is responsible for developing and implementing a successful fund-raising strategy for a parish of 3,400 families to increase regular monthly giving, repay the existing debt and raise funds for future buildings, infrastructure, and programs.

Leadership and Planning
• Actively work to create a comprehensive Stewardship plan for cultivation and solicitation of support from individuals in the Saint Bede Community in coordination with the Parish's Evangelization efforts
• Craft major donor opportunities in conjunction with the Pastor and the Finance/Pastoral Councils
• Participate in the planning and execution of stewardship activities including donor recognition opportunities
• Engage staff and volunteers for assistance with stewardship activities.
• Serve as primary staff liaison to assigned ministries and groups.

Research, Cultivation & Solicitation
• Cultivate donor relationships at all levels and work to raise the giving levels of all donors.
• Research prospects and establish priorities for solicitation.
• Manage and execute strategies for cultivating and soliciting donations.
• Network within local community organizations
• Contact potential donors and secure on-going financial support for the Parish.
• Build and implement annual stewardship programs that encourage gifts of time, talent and treasure.
• Implement plans for maintaining a large base of smaller, annual individual donors,
• Recruit, train, manage, supervise and acknowledge volunteers to assist with stewardship projects.

Operations
• Monitor all donor information and provide statistical analysis for parish leadership.
• Develop reports and documents for leadership and decision-making purposes,
• Regularly perform needs/trend analysis and make projections for future giving.
• Assure that databases are properly managed and current.
• Identify and recommend fund-raising software.
• Ensure complete security and confidentiality of all donor information.
• Ensure correspondence (including letters of appreciation and donors' tax purposes) are strategic, appropriate and timely.

Community Engagement & Hospitality
• Hospitality & Welcoming: Develop and oversee a comprehensive parish hospitality strategy, ensuring a welcoming environment during weekend Masses and coordinating specific outreach to integrate new parishioners into the Saint Bede community.
• Community Building: Lead "Parish Life" initiatives by planning and executing events that foster fellowship and strengthen the social fabric of the parish.
• Volunteer Management: Proactively identify, recruit, and move parishioners into active service; develop a sustainable strategy for volunteer engagement across various committees and events.
• Ministry Collaboration: Partner with existing parish committees to align community-building activities with the parish's broader evangelization and stewardship goals.

Performance Appraisal: Manager will conduct an initial appraisal within 180 days of employment followed by an annual appraisal.

Working Condition: Position is full-time (35 hours per week). Regular presence is required for Sunday morning Masses, with occasional evening or weekend hours as needed throughout the year.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor's Degree and three to five years of demonstrated Development, Stewardship, or Leadership experience. Must have a significant record of success in fundraising including the demonstrated ability to solicit and close major gifts from individuals.
• High level of technical proficiency with all computer tools; the ability to select, install and maintain donor database software; experience with fundraising database software is a plus; and a working knowledge of internal and external communication technology; willingness to learn new software and programs,
• Catholic in Good Standing; A solid knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the Catholic Church and its teachings and culture is preferred,
• Ability to understand the role of individuals and groups in philanthropy and the ability to manage complex organizational detail,
• Ability to take on responsibility, work independently and be flexible in a changing environment
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills,
• Some occasional travel is required.

Benefits: As outlined in Diocesan Called to Work in Harmony Employment Policies

To Apply: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter with salary requirements and resume to jobs@bedeva.org

About the Employer

We are a Catholic faith community proclaiming Christ's message in word and action. Further inspired by a call to the New Evangelization, we seek to be a community of disciples going forth and creating new disciples in our families, parish, and throughout greater Williamsburg.