Church Engagement & Partnership Manager

Church Engagement & Partnership Manager

Reports to: Director of Advancement

Status: Full-Time Salaried, Exempt

Hours: 40 hours/week

Location: Hybrid/Denver Metro/Front Range

Project 1.27 Overview:

Since 2004, Project 1.27 has engaged, inspired, recruited, and equipped churches and families to serve children and families impacted by foster care through family preservation, kinship care, foster care, adoption, mentoring, and supportive community. Project 1.27 serves as a bridge ministry between the Church and the foster care system, helping congregations discover meaningful ways to live out God's call in James 1:27 to care for vulnerable children and families.

Purpose:

The Church Engagement & Partnership Manager is responsible for building, cultivating, and stewarding relationships with pastors, church leaders, congregations, and community partners, throughout the Front Range.

We are inviting churches into a calling. Through authentic relationship-building, strategic networking, and partnership development, this position helps churches move from awareness to action by creating opportunities for engagement in foster care, kinship care, adoption, mentoring, family support, volunteerism, and financial partnership.

This is an opportunity to help mobilize the Church to care for vulnerable children and families. The ideal candidate understands church culture, is comfortable building relationships across denominations and theological traditions, and knows how to engage pastors and church leaders with credibility and authenticity. They are energized by connecting people to purpose, cultivating meaningful partnerships, and inspiring congregations to become active participants as James 1:27 Churches.

Scope:

Serves as the primary ambassador between Project 1.27 and churches throughout the Denver Metro area and Front Range region. Responsible for developing and implementing a strategic church engagement plan that expands awareness of Project 1.27, strengthens relationships with pastors and church leaders, mobilizes congregations, and increases participation in ministry opportunities that support vulnerable children and families.

This position serves as a bridge-builder between churches, families, community partners, and the foster care system, helping congregations understand their unique opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ to children and families impacted by foster care. Through proactive relationship development, networking, and community engagement, the Church Engagement & Partnership Manager cultivates new church partnerships while stewarding existing relationships.

The role develops Church Champions, leads a Church Engagement Council of strategic ministry connectors, facilitates church engagement opportunities, and creates pathways for churches to engage through foster care, adoption, kinship care, mentoring, family support, volunteerism, prayer, and financial partnership.

Qualifications:

Character:

Is a committed follower of Jesus Christ and demonstrates a growing, active faith.

Maintains a Christ-like attitude in dealing with people both within and outside of Project 1.27.

Fully supports and upholds Project 1.27's mission, vision, values, and statement of faith.

Demonstrates humility, integrity, relational leadership, initiative, and professionalism.

Commits to praying for Project 1.27, its staff, volunteers, church partners, and the children and families it serves.

Maintains appropriate confidentiality and sound judgment.

Competency:

Five or more years of experience in ministry leadership, church relations, nonprofit development, community engagement, fundraising, business development, or a related field preferred.

Demonstrates theological maturity and relational intelligence by building trusted partnerships across diverse Christian traditions, honoring differing expressions of faith while remaining aligned with Project 1.27's Statement of Faith and focused on shared Kingdom impact.

Strong communication, public speaking, networking, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.

Experience working with churches and knowledge of foster care, adoption, kinship care, child welfare, or related ministry preferred

Demonstrates disciplined relationship management, effectively cultivating church partnerships from initial connection through engagement, commitment, and ongoing involvement through consistent follow-up, clear next steps, and strong pipeline stewardship.

Demonstrates comfort, confidence, and authenticity in inviting churches to become financial partners in advancing the mission of Project 1.27.

Strong organizational, project management, and CRM skills.

Ability to work independently in a remote/hybrid environment while maintaining strong communication and accountability.

Travel Requirements:

Reliable transportation required.

Ability to travel regularly throughout the Front Range to meet with church leaders, attend church events, and represent Project 1.27 in the community.

Occasional evening and weekend availability, including approximately one Sunday per month.

Compensation & Benefits:

Compensation: $60,000-$65,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. Eligible for Project 1.27 full time employee benefits in accordance with current personnel policies and benefit plans - Including life and health insurance, and a retirement plan.

Why Join Project 1.27?

At Project 1.27, you will join a passionate team committed to serving vulnerable children and families while helping churches discover their unique role in that mission. If you are passionate about building relationships, expanding Kingdom impact, and helping churches live out their calling, we invite you to join us.