Vice President of Development

Catholic Charities Comm•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

Catholic Charities is a place where miracles happen every day in the lives of more than 22,000 individuals every year. Join us in this incredible work and be a miracle to someone today. SUMMARY: As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, this role serves as a mission-driven steward of our faith-based identity, grounded in the principles of the Parable of the Good Samaritan (“Brother, Sister, Neighbor”) and the heart of Servant Leadership. The executive provides strategic and operational leadership that strengthens a culture of philanthropy and service, ensuring that generosity, gratitude, and mission alignment are embedded throughout the organization. This leader advances Catholic Charities’ commitment to serving the community’s most vulnerable through compassionate, lasting, life-changing faith-based support. Guided by the organization’s Pillars of Service (Serving and Sheltering Our Neighbors, Strengthening Children and Families, Welcoming Refugees and Immigrants and Collaborating with Our Community), the Executive Team member plays a central role in shaping strategic direction, fostering collaboration, and ensuring high-quality, mission-driven leadership and service delivery across all programs. The Executive Team members uphold the core values of dignity, justice, and stewardship while influencing, motivating and empowering teams to make a meaningful and measurable impact in the lives of those we serve. Rooted in faith, committed to excellence, and focused on continuous growth, this executive leads with vision, integrity, and compassion, ensuring that every initiative strengthens our mission and enhances our ability to serve others with dignity and respect. The Vice President of Development provides executive leadership for the organization’s growth, sustainability, and long-term impact by driving capacity building initiatives, strategic expansion, and organizational effectiveness. The position is responsible for securing and aligning resources and establishing metrics to measure success, while partnering closely with the CEO, executive leadership and the Board. Through strong financial stewardship, performance evaluation, and external partnerships, this role ensures the organization is well-positioned to scale responsibly and advance its mission.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in related field with at least five years of professional development experience at a senior level.
Demonstrated success closing major gifts and a clear understanding of the tactics required to build and manage a broad-based prospect pool.
Demonstrated success using predictive analytics in defining and monitoring a moves management program.
Demonstrated ability to establish, maintain, and strengthen relationships with significant donors, and an understanding of the record-keeping and stewardship systems that support a successful donor relations program.
Experience within a multi-faceted philanthropy department, that includes major gifts, corporate and foundational giving, annual and planned giving, community engagement, volunteerism, marketing and communications and special events.
Ability to work productively with colleagues on behalf of the Philanthropy Office.
The ability to organize and prioritize fundraising philanthropy activities effectively and to guide staff members in managing their particular portfolios and responsibilities.
Must be sensitive to cultural differences within the agency and community.
Fluent in Microsoft Office Applications (Word & Outlook).
Demonstrates knowledge of applying artificial intelligence tools to optimize workflows and improve efficiency across business operations.
Experience working with CRM fundraising platforms.
Valid AZ driver's license, reliable transportation and ability to show proof of registration/insurance.
Level one Fingerprint Clearance or ability to obtain fingerprint clearance; must maintain clearance.
You must be 21 years of age or older to drive on behalf of Catholic Charities.
Must have initiative, be collaborative, a strategic thinker who wants to help the community’s most vulnerable.
Must be able to stoop, bend, squat, sit on floor and ambulate over uneven floor surfaces including stairs and steps.
Must be able to visually and auditory assess and interact with donors, clients, and general public.
May lift up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Active certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) preferred.
Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.
Master’s degree preferred.
Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge preferred.
Evening/Weekend hours required as needed.

Responsibilities

Lead the strategic, operational, and mission-driven work of the organization within functional area to advance Catholic Charities’ goals, culture, and impact.
Develop and execute strategies that align with the organization’s mission, values, and long-term goals.
Ensure programs and initiatives are high-quality, mission-focused, and effectively meet community needs.
Attract, retain, and develop a high-performing, mission-driven workforce while fostering a positive and collaborative culture.
Oversee budgetary and resource planning to support operational and programmatic success.
Support the Board of Directors and ensure organizational policies, practices, and operations meet legal, ethical, and mission-aligned standards.
Champions organizational health and team excellence, modeling the values found in Patrick Lencioni’s The Advantage, Five Dysfunctions of a Team, and The Ideal Team Player.
Cultivate trust, encourage healthy conflict, drive accountability, and inspire humility, hunger, and people-smart collaboration.
With a “One Team” mindset, the executive fosters unity, cross-functional partnership, and shared success.
Lead Capacity Building initiatives, including securing required funding, strategically allocating resources to maximize impact, and defining success metrics and milestones.
Actively partner with the philanthropy team to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors in support of capacity-building and growth priorities.
In collaboration with the Executive Team, identify, explore, and pursue merger and acquisition opportunities that align with the agency’s core mission, values, and long-term growth objectives.
Assess organizational readiness for growth initiatives and ensure operational, financial, and cultural alignment.
Partner with executive leadership and the Board to evaluate strategic expansion opportunities and risks.
Lead the Philanthropy Leadership Team, ensuring effective work in Major Gifts, Planned Giving, Annual Fund, Donor-acquisition and retention, Grants, Marketing & Communications, and community engagement with churches, volunteers, and organizations.
Serve as a visible and active ambassador for the organization, engaging directly with donors, funders, faith partners, and community leaders to build trust and deepen philanthropic relationships.
Ensure alignment of fundraising, community partnerships, and volunteer efforts with the organization’s mission, strategic priorities, and capacity-building goals.
Lead and support senior leaders across the agency responsible for donor relations, grants, community outreach, marketing, and volunteer engagement to drive sustainable impact.
Participate personally in donor meetings, cultivation events, stewardship activities, and major gift strategies, including presenting funding priorities and organizational impact.
Foster strong relationships with donors, community partners, and key stakeholders to expand support, visibility, and resources for the organization.
Oversee responsible use of financial and operational resources to support sustainability and mission impact.
Collaborate with leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning related to growth and capacity initiatives.
Partner with philanthropy leadership to align fundraising strategies with financial sustainability, program needs, and long-term investment priorities.
Ensure funding sources are aligned with programmatic priorities and compliance requirements.
Monitor financial performance and adjust strategies to ensure fiscal health.
Establish and monitor organizational metrics, milestones, and key performance indicators to evaluate effectiveness and outcomes.
Use data to inform strategic decisions, improve programs, and communicate impact effectively to donors, funders, and community stakeholders.
Ensure timely and accurate reporting related to capacity building, funding, and growth initiatives.
Promote accountability and transparency across the organization.
Lead organizational change initiatives that support growth, capacity building, and increased philanthropic engagement across the agency.
Champion and embed a culture of philanthropy, ensuring all employees understand their role in advancing the mission and supporting resource development.
Model philanthropy as a shared responsibility by actively participating in fundraising efforts and reinforcing the importance of donor partnership at all levels of the organization.
Develops and shares compelling stories that elevate client needs, experiences, and successes to inspire engagement, support, and mission impact.
Provide guidance, tools, and communication to staff to support change adoption, role clarity, and collaboration with philanthropy and engagement teams.