Community Engagement Director

Community Engagement Director

Since 1983, the Catholic Community Foundation has been a key resource in the Catholic community to foster an environment of philanthropy and selfless giving. The Foundation provides tools and resources for individuals and organizations to understand planned giving, complex giving vehicles, and provides administrative support. With assets under management of approximately $140M and another $80M of planned gifts, the Foundation is poised to help create a vibrant and sustainable Catholic community. The Foundation's focus is on cultivating meaningful and deep relationships within the community by assisting donors in growing in their understanding of everything as a gift from God and responding in gratitude by generously sharing their gifts with others.

Purpose & Scope

The Community Engagement Director promotes and represents the work and mission of the Catholic Community Foundation to all organizations (parishes, schools, and other agencies) and individuals in the Diocese of Phoenix. The Community Engagement Director will identify, manage, and triage relationships with current and prospective donors, leverage the development team in strategically placing resources, and monitor and mentor staff to promote long-term relationships and effective use of time. The position will be responsible for identifying, planning, and leading the efforts of Get Your Affairs in Order, Endowment Drives, and Hybrid Initiatives. The position will contribute to the creation, documentation, implementation, and ongoing oversight of the annual development plan.

Requirements

Annual Development Planning

· Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and implement an annual development plan each fiscal year, identifying strategic priorities, measurable objectives, and desired outcomes.

· Ensure the annual plan is finalized by March and effective July 1.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

· Monitor progress against the annual development plan and key performance indicators.

· Prepare and submit quarterly written progress reports to management within 15 days following the close of each quarter, and support presentation of these updates to the Board of Directors.

Individual Donor Engagement

· Actively contribute to the achievement of annual development goals by managing a portfolio of approximately 30–40 individual donor relationships.

· Cultivate authentic, long-term relationships with key members of the Catholic community.

· Identify, secure, and steward new funds under management.

· Identify, document, and advance planned gift opportunities in alignment with donor intent.

Community and Agency Engagement

· Advance annual development goals through collaboration with parishes, schools, and Catholic agencies.

· Identify and pursue opportunities to present Foundation programs within priority communities.

· Serve as the primary point of contact for community-based Hybrid Initiatives.

Team Leadership and Accountability

· Translate the annual development plan into clearly defined responsibilities and expectations for the development team.

· Conduct recurring meetings with direct reports to monitor progress, assess workload and time utilization, provide coaching and feedback, and ensure timely completion of responsibilities.

· Conduct annual performance evaluations based on job responsibilities, achievement of goals, and collaboration with team members.

· Support the CEO and CFO in achieving their individual development objectives, including follow-up on progress and alignment with the overall development plan.

Development Team Coordination

· Lead bi-weekly development team meetings to ensure alignment on goals, progress tracking, collaboration, and upcoming initiatives.

· Facilitate clear, consistent, and proactive communication across the development team, ensuring transparency, shared accountability, and awareness of roles and responsibilities.

· Keep the CEO informed of development activities, progress, and emerging opportunities or challenges.

Strategic Event and Donor Engagement

· Strategically plan staff participation at events and assign staff to specific donors and prospective donors to maximize relationship-building opportunities.

· Assist with event-related development activities as needed, including securing sponsorships, recruiting hosts, and filling tables.

Stewardship and Donor Experience

· Oversee stewardship strategies related to donor relationship management, new donor orientation, and meaningful donor recognition, ensuring consistency and excellence across the organization.

Staff Development

· Lead onboarding, training, and orientation for new members of the development team to ensure understanding of Foundation mission, processes, and expectations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

· Must be a self-starter and possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

· Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.

· Excellent oral and written communication, computer, documentation, and presentation skills.

· Ability to occasionally work a flexible schedule to include evenings and weekends.

· Strong leadership skills with the ability to be persuasive and influential.

· Ability in a deadline-driven, detail-oriented environment to multitask, prioritize, manage time effectively, and make sound decisions.

· Working knowledge of standard Microsoft Office tools required, including advanced Excel skills.

· Knowledge of planned giving techniques and vehicles.

Minimum Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree.

· Minimum 7 years of experience in major donor and gift solicitation, or an equivalent combination of related experience.

· Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

· Demonstrated experience in a position that required leadership skills.

· Demonstrated experience in a position that required exceptional written, speaking, and listening skills.

· Demonstrated attention to detail.

· Must be an active, practicing Roman Catholic in full communion with the Church.