Development Director

Description
Development Director
Kansas City, MO • Development Director
Description
Position: Director of Development
Status: Full time, Exempt
Reports To: Executive Director of Stewardship and Development
Position Summary
The Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph is seeking a Director of Development to advance the Church’s mission by fostering a spirit of Christian stewardship and generosity. Working closely with the Executive Director, this role leads strategic fundraising efforts through donor engagement, major gift cultivation, and stewardship initiatives. Primarily externally focused, the Director manages a portfolio of major donors, builds meaningful relationships with benefactors, and supports fundraising initiatives that sustain and grow support for diocesan priorities. This is a full time position averaging 40 hours per week.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Major Gifts & Donor Relations
Manage a portfolio of approximately 70 major gift prospects and donors
Cultivate, solicit, and steward donor relationships to increase philanthropic support
Conduct regular in-person meetings and meaningful touchpoints with donors and prospects
Serve as a visible ambassador for the Diocese, clearly communicating mission impact and funding needs
Develop and execute individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies
Ensure timely and accurate documentation of all donor interactions in the CRM
Fundraising Execution
Implement established fundraising priorities and plans as directed
Identify and qualify new donor prospects to expand the major gifts pipeline
Support coordinated fundraising efforts across diocesan initiatives
Track progress toward fundraising goals and provide regular activity and results reporting
Events & Sponsorship Development
Support diocesan fundraising events, including the School Bell Breakfast, and Bishop’s Golf Tournament and others
Lead sponsorship outreach and solicitation efforts for events
Leverage events as opportunities to deepen donor relationships and identify new prospects
Assist in ensuring events are aligned with fundraising goals and donor engagement strategies
Planned Giving & Donor Engagement
Promote planned giving opportunities as part of donor conversations and long-term stewardship
Support communication efforts that increase awareness of legacy giving
Build relationships with professional advisors to strengthen planned giving opportunities
Coordination & Administration
Work closely with the Executive Director and internal teams to ensure alignment in messaging and donor engagement
Collaborate with finance and communications staff to support accurate gift processing and donor stewardship
Ensure adherence to ethical fundraising standards and diocesan policies
KEY COMPETENCIES
Strong relationship-builder with a donor-centered approach
Results-oriented with a focus on securing gifts and meeting goals
Confident and professional in donor-facing settings
Highly organized with strong follow-through and attention to detail
Effective communicator with the ability to convey mission impact clearly and persuasively
Self-motivated with the ability to manage a portfolio and prioritize activity

Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
CFRE or advanced degree preferred
Minimum 5–7 years of progressive fundraising experience with a demonstrated focus on major gifts
Proven success managing donor relationships and closing gifts
Experience with planned giving programs and strategies preferred
Proficient working in donor database systems and fundraising analytics
Familiarity with planned giving concepts preferred
Practicing Catholic with ethical standards, personal integrity, and conduct consistent with the morals and teachings of the Catholic Church.
Note: All employees are required to consent to a background check, commit to our Code of Conduct policy, and complete online and in-person trainings prior to hire.