Development Director

Job Description

Job Description

Reports to: Serves under the general authority of the Board of Directors and the specific oversight of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Classification : Full Time, Exempt

Position Summary :

The Development Director proactively identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards gifts for Phoenix Seminary. This position will work to advance this work and secure donor-funded scholarships to support these endeavors. The Development Director will seek to build long-term relationships with donors and prospects that believe in Phoenix Seminary’s mission, vision, and values, and who desires to resource this mission and vision. This position requires frequent travel.

The Development Director is responsible to build and manage a portfolio of approximately 100+ qualified donors and prospects and actively cultivate and solicit gifts. They will focus their attention on building a robust network of donors through individuals in Arizona and selected regions throughout the U.S. Accordingly, this position requires frequent travel in the field with donors regionally and throughout the U.S.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Meet or exceed annual solicitation goals (submitted and realized) for various Phoenix Seminary-giving priorities, while maintaining a strong emphasis on the number of meetings and donor cultivation required to drive results.
• Move donors through the major giving process (moves management) year-over-year by developing and maintaining key relationships with assigned constituents.
• Establish an intentional treatment stream/strategy for each constituent that aligns with the Philosophy of Stewardship & Resource Development at Phoenix Seminary.
• Accurately and regularly record all actions and key information in the Seminary’s fundraising CRM.
• Regularly attend various Phoenix Seminary’s Advancement events with an emphasis on strategically inviting and cultivating the relationship with assigned constituents.
• Utilize Department resources for the cultivation and solicitation of gifts. These include:
  • Events
  • Print, Electronic, and Media Promotion
  • Research, Queries, and Reports
  • Networking and “Third Party” participation
• Be a cooperative and contributing member of the team within Phoenix Seminary’s Advancement Division. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• This position requires personal attendance at Phoenix Seminary’s campus in Phoenix, AZ
  
• High personal and professional integrity – Evidence of a commitment to Jesus Christ and a life that demonstrates consistency with Biblical standards and the statement of faith and governing values of the Seminary.
• Be theologically compatible with the Seminary’s doctrinal statement and statement of faith.
• Demonstrate a high degree of institutional loyalty and the capability of protecting the confidentiality of sensitive matters related to the institution.
• Possesses a bachelor’s degree. 
• Compatibility with the current Phoenix Seminary team
• Seasoned advancement officer with 5+ years of direct gift solicitation experience, preferably in higher education, or similar sales experience in another field.
• Demonstrated ability to understand the needs and interests of donors to develop and strengthen relationships within the Seminary.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, grammar and spelling skills, and telephone manners.
• Warm, interpersonal skills, personable, cordial, professional demeanor, and works well with a team.
• Highly relational and have ability to interact with donors and prospects of all ages. 
• Good organizational and time management skills. The ability to employee self-initiative and to work independently while engaging in multiple tasks. Commitment to continuous process work.
• Self-starter who has a strong record of both organizational skills and financial production.
• Demonstrated experience in successful completion of multiple significant projects, events and responsibilities.
• High level of computer skills with working knowledge of Mac and PC computers, Microsoft Office, Google Applications, and Adobe Acrobat, as well as experience with computerized donor tracking software understanding of the practice of biblical stewardship. 
• Ability to work with many different people and handle a variety of tasks, all with a good sense of humor. 
• Dependability, integrity, and ability to receive and implement suggestions from supervisors.
• Willing to be flexible and sustain a learning posture.
• Open to supervision with a teachable spirit.
• Ethical competence.
• Ability to work with a diverse constituency and promote an effective work environment. 
• Strong, stable and mature Christian faith. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in fundraising, donor development, and higher education leadership.
• Extensive ministry networks across denominational, parachurch, and global contexts.
• Familiarity with trends in seminary education, ministry training, and church growth.

Physical Requirements:

• Type a minimum of 50-65 words per minute with accuracy.
• Willing and able to walk substantial distances and climb stairs on campus without accommodation.

Work Schedule:

• Must be able and willing to travel regionally and throughout the U.S. and work before or after work hours and over weekends as needed.

Evaluation:

The position described above, like other staff, will be evaluated at the end of an Introductory Period (90-day review), and then on an annual basis.