Catholic Schools Development Officer (Sr. Manager) for Office of Mission Advancement

Diocese of Phoenix Diocesan Pastoral Center•Phoenix, AZ

37d•Hybrid

About The Position

To support the Diocese of Phoenix in its mission to Encounter the Living Christ, the Development Officer for Catholic Schools is a mission-driven development professional who will lead fundraising efforts in support of Catholic schools across the Diocese, with a special focus on schools serving low-income communities and those with limited development capacity. This position is responsible for building and managing a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation donors, and will serve as the lead strategist for engagement with corporate partners interested in supporting Catholic education. Working in close collaboration with the Catholic Schools Office, school leaders, pastors, donors, and the Office of Mission Advancement (OMA), this position will spend a significant amount of time on school campuses, as well as at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, ensuring that every initiative is rooted in mission and designed for long-term impact.

Requirements

Deep understanding of and commitment to the Catholic faith and the mission of Catholic education.
Strong knowledge of fundraising strategies, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, endowment-building, and planned giving.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with clergy, school leaders, colleagues, donors, and corporate partners.
Strategic thinker with strong relationship-building and stewardship abilities.
Proficient in Raiser’s Edge or similar donor management systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
Willingness to travel throughout the Diocese and maintain a flexible work schedule including some evenings and weekends.
Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE preferred.
Minimum of 10 years of experience in fundraising, corporate partnerships, or nonprofit development (15 years without a degree).
Active, practicing Roman Catholic in full communion with the Church.
Proven experience cultivating major gifts and managing a diverse donor portfolio.
Familiarity with Catholic school environments, culture, and mission preferred.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

CFRE preferred
Familiarity with Catholic school environments, culture, and mission preferred.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Develops and manages a portfolio of major individual, corporate, and foundation donors supporting Catholic education, with a focus on underserved communities.
Builds strategic partnerships with corporations to secure philanthropic gifts, sponsorships, and in-kind support that align with the mission of Catholic schools.
Designs and implements personalized engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for both individual and corporate donors to increase donor retention and giving levels.
Serves as a development resource and advisor to school leadership, providing hands-on support to schools with limited fundraising infrastructure.
Partners with the diocesan Grants Manager to identify and pursue grant opportunities that align with the mission and priorities of Catholic schools.
Collaborates with the Office of Mission Advancement team to promote diocesan campaigns and initiatives, including Night of Hope, Tax Smart Gifts, Legacy Giving, and Catholic Schools Support 365.
Visits school sites regularly to build trust, assess needs, and support on-site fundraising initiatives and community events.
Ensures that all fundraising activities align with diocesan mission, branding, and messaging standards.
Maintains accurate and timely donor and sponsor data in Raiser’s Edge and contribute to impact reporting and analysis.
Represents the Diocese of Phoenix and the Office of Mission Advancement at public events, meetings, and parish or corporate gatherings as needed.