Job Overview

The Director of Advancement will work alongside the President to advance the mission and growth of the Seminary. This position will help inform decisions related to development, planned-giving, church relations, communications and marketing, and events.

The Director is responsible for advancing the mission of the Seminary in a public facing manner and is dedicated to fundraising – managing up to the President and working closely with the board, senior leaders, and fundraising consultants. This position will require a high degree of initiative, excellent interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to work strategically to drive success. Phoenix Seminary fosters a culture of trust and accountability and is seeking a person who can thrive with little to no supervision, embodying a high degree of integrity and work ethic.

Importantly, the Director will help execute a five-year strategic plan which prioritizes prospects who, through personal cultivation and relationship building, will form the core of support in sustaining the Seminary now and for future generations. The Director will implement donor recognition structures for major gifts, stewardship strategies, and cultivation and solicitation practices. The successful candidate will have experience in moves management (ideally, Virtuous and/or Monday.com) and a proven track record of success in analyzing existing donor records to identify and prioritize donors who would be inclined to move up the giving ladder or would consider providing for the Seminary in planned gifts. The Director must be a positive advocate for the Seminary and capable of inspiring others in supporting its mission – which will include a model of encouraging donors’ own relationships with Christ all while understanding and connecting their needs and charitable objectives to the mission of the Seminary. The ideal candidate has a passion for ministry.

Job Description

Primary Responsibilities:

· Managing an approximate caseload of 100 active major donors.

· Cultivate and solicit assigned donors, serving as the face of Phoenix Seminary.

· Meeting with donors in-person and attending regional events often.

· Oversee and maintain Phoenix Seminary’s donor database system (Virtuous) and use information systems to ensure timely and appropriate stewardship.

· Review current Advancement team processes and innovate using automations.

· Work closely with the Finance Department on receipting, acknowledgements, and year-end gift statements.

· Adhere to, and implement, stewardship best practices, department policies, and procedures.

· Review fundraising key performance indicators and revenue goals quarterly.

· Identify, research, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors.

· Use wealth screening information and other research to create individual cultivation and solicitation plans, with assistance from fundraising consultants, for active and prospective donors.

· Help draft or review all solicitation, cultivation, and collateral materials, including quarterly newsletter and annual report, for caseload.

· Analyze all weekly online and direct mail gifts and thank donors accordingly.

· Plan and maintain the fundraising calendar and key events.

· Lead and coordinate the annual and quarterly donor events.

· Be an ambassador for Designated Scholarship programs and connect with the donors, enrollment team members, and students receiving scholarship.

· Represent Phoenix Seminary in the community and deepen the understanding and credibility of the mission and vision among volunteers, donors, churches, and the Christian community overall.

· Assist the President in growing and strengthening his portfolio of about 50 donor relationships through shared accountability and regular personal communication.

· Assist the President to leverage and advance the willingness and capability of board members to participate in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major donors.

· Work closely with stake holders to assist Seminary initiatives including communications, conferences, Women of Momentum, Text & Canon Institute, and Church Partnerships.

· Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

· Demonstrate a mature and growing personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

· Have theological compatibility with the Seminary’s statements of faith and values.

· Model integrity, accountability, and a strong sense of professional ethics and confidentiality.

· Support, embrace, and advocate the Seminary’s mission and vision passionately and persuasively.

· Have a solid understanding of fundraising practices particularly with major gifts and donor databases (ideally Virtuous).

· Be able to communicate ideas clearly and effectively both orally and in written form.

· Establish trust and strong working relationships with colleagues, institutional partners, and donors.

· Be adept in managing multiple projects and competing priorities.

· Be motivated by taking initiative and driving success.

· Be able to travel up to 50% locally, 5-10% nationally, with some weekend commitments.

Education and Experience:

· Minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree in a theological field preferred.

· 5+ years’ experience, including fundraising and soliciting at least five-figure asks is recommended for success in this role. Strong preference given to experience in seminary or theological education.

Physical Requirements:

· Must be able to sit using a computer for long periods of time.

· Must be able to speak, hear, read, and write clearly.

· Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds at times.

· Must be able to travel for conferences, events, and meetings with donors.

Work Schedule:

Must be able to work varied hours with a regular schedule of Monday – Friday.

Needed Attributes: Strong work ethic; excellent communication skills; patient and gracious; values confidential nature of position; ability to shift priorities on short notice; proactive approach to assessing needs and providing what is necessary to meet those needs; interacts well with diverse personality types – team player; ability to lead and willingness to serve – positive outlook; creative and resourceful – solutions-oriented.

Training and development: Self-initiated study and personal development are expected and encouraged. As funds are available, the Director will be provided with the opportunity to attend classes, seminars, or events to continue to develop one’s knowledge of topics with approval.

Full job description posted on ADP and https://ps.edu/areers/