Catholic Schools Development Officer

Paylocity; Phoenix, Northern (AZ, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Diocese of Phoenix seeks a Development Officer for Catholic Schools to lead fundraising across diocesan schools. You will cultivate major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations and build partnerships aligned with Catholic education goals.

Based in Phoenix, this hybrid role requires community engagement, travel throughout the diocese, and collaboration with the Office of Mission Advancement and school leaders to advance campaigns and impact reporting.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of fundraising experience including major gifts.
• Proven experience cultivating major gifts and managing diverse donor portfolios.
• Familiarity with Catholic school environments and mission preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Hybrid work environment with travel throughout the Diocese of Phoenix.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead strategic direction of Catholic Schools fundraising with measurable goals.
• Build and manage a portfolio of major individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Secure philanthropic gifts, sponsorships, and in-kind support aligned with Catholic schools.
• Lead a direct report and collaborate with schools, pastors, and the OMA.
• Identify grant opportunities with the Grants Manager and support diocesan campaigns.
• Visit school sites regularly to build trust and support on-site fundraising.
• Maintain donor data and contribute to impact reporting and analysis.
• Represent the Diocese at public events, meetings, and parish/corporate gatherings.

Skills

Fundraising

Corporate partnerships

Donor databases

MS Office

Bilingual EN/ES

Tools

Donor management systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

All Jobs > Catholic Schools Development Officer

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 alongside a team. This position is responsible for building and managing a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation donors in alignment with overall fundraising goals, and will serve as the lead strategist for engagement with 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 (60-65%) on school campuses and meeting with donors.

Essential Job Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Develop and lead strategic direction of the Catholic Schools fundraising, accountable to specific goals under the fundraising sustainability initiative.
• Develop, lead, and manage a portfolio of major individual, corporate, and foundation donors supporting Catholic education, with a focus on underserved communities.
• Build strategic partnerships with corporations to secure philanthropic gifts, sponsorships, and in-kind support that align with the mission of Catholic schools.
• Lead a direct report, with potential for team growth in the future, in alignment with cultural standards.
• 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.
• Visits school sites regularly to build trust, assess needs, and support on‑site fundraising initiatives and community events.
• Maintains accurate and timely donor and sponsor data in database 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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• 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 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in fundraising, corporate partnerships, or nonprofit development.
• 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.
• This position involves a hybrid work environment split between the Diocesan Pastoral Center and Catholic school campuses and requires the ability to travel regularly throughout the Diocese of Phoenix.
• Regular use of office equipment, including computers, phones, and printers.
• Occasional lifting of up to 35 lbs. for event or material support.
• Must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license.
• Standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

• This is largely a sedentary role; it requires frequent use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, and photocopiers and the ability to walk across school campuses, climb stairs, and set up/take down event spaces as needed.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.