Director of Church Partnerships

San Diego Rescue Mission; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

San Diego Rescue Mission in San Diego, CA, seeks a Director of Church Partnerships. This ministry-focused leader will cultivate relationships with current and prospective church partners, guiding churches from awareness to active service and long-term financial partnership.

The role carries annual fundraising responsibility of about $600,000 and requires a deeply held Christian faith and strong communication and leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 3 years in nonprofit, ministry, or human services.
• Experience with homelessness, trauma, or addiction preferred.
• Strong communication, leadership, and relationship-building required.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate, steward, and grow church partner portfolios.
• Develop and execute engagement strategies with pastors and church staff.
• Collaborate with internal departments to ensure coordinated engagement.
• Raise approximately $600K annually from partner churches.
• Maintain records of engagement and donor activity in Virtuous CRM.
• Provide leadership and coaching to the Church Partnerships Coordinator.

Skills

Relationship building

Fundraising

Strategic planning

Communication

Leadership

Spiritual leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM Virtuous

Job description

Description

Director of Church Partnerships

Organization: San Diego Rescue Mission

Location: San Diego, CA

Job Type: Full Time

Reports To: Vice President of Community Engagement

Salary Range: $80,000 – $85,000 annually

Mission Statement

To lovingly address the needs of men, women and children experiencing homelessness by sharing the Good News of Salvation and providing a holistic approach to rehabilitation and recovery.

Position Summary

The Director of Church Partnerships is a ministry-focused leadership role that advances the San Diego Rescue Mission’s commitment to Christlike compassion and the holistic restoration of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. This position is responsible for cultivating, strengthening, and expanding meaningful relationships with current and prospective church partners throughout San Diego, guiding churches along a strategic pathway from awareness of the Mission, to volunteer and service engagement, to faithful, long-term financial partnership. With an annual fundraising responsibility of approximately $600,000 in church giving, the Director must combine a deep personal commitment to the Gospel and the Mission’s calling with strong relationship development, fundraising, stewardship, strategic planning, and communication skills. As a dynamic and compelling communicator, the Director effectively connects with pastors, church leaders, congregations, and community audiences, communicating the Mission’s vision, sharing stories of transformation, and inspiring others to engage through service, generosity, and partnership. Through intentional engagement, the Director retains and grows high-impact church partnerships, identifies new opportunities for financial and ministry investment, and represents the Mission’s vision, values, and Christ-centered culture with excellence. As a spiritual leader, this position is committed to continual growth as a follower of Christ, prayerfully leads and encourages partners and team members, and invests in the development, coaching, and success of the Church Partnerships Coordinator to maximize the team’s ministry effectiveness and community impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Church Relationship Management
• Cultivate, steward, and grow a portfolio of current and prospective church partners through intentional relationship building.
• Develop and execute engagement strategies that deepen church involvement with the San Diego Rescue Mission.
• Conduct regular meetings, presentations, and follow-up with pastors, ministry leaders, and church staff.
• Church Engagement & Partnership Development
• Identify and create meaningful opportunities for churches to serve alongside the Mission through volunteer experiences, events, donation drives, and other strategic initiatives.
• Guide churches through a progressive engagement pathway from awareness to active participation, to long-term financial partnership.
• Collaborate with internal departments – Programs (Outreach/Lighthouse/Mission Academy) and Development and Community Engagement (Marketing/Events/Volunteer Programs/Donor Cultivation) to ensure churches have impactful and well-coordinated engagement experiences that also meet the needs of Mission guests and students.
• Fundraising & Donor Development
• Raise 600K annually from partner churches
• Retain, steward, and upgrade high-capacity church partners through intentional cultivation and relationship management.
• Identify opportunities to increase financial investment and secure ongoing support from church partners.
• Maintain an active caseload of church partners, establishing annual goals for engagement, retention, and revenue growth.
• Strategic Planning & Administration
• Maintain accurate records of partner engagement, donor activity, and relationship management within Virtuous (SDRM’s CRM).
• Track and report key performance metrics related to church engagement, volunteer participation, and financial partnership.
• Participate in departmental planning, budgeting, and strategic initiatives that advance SDRM’s community engagement goals.
• Leadership & Team Development
• Provide leadership, coaching, and ongoing development for the Church Partnerships Coordinator.
• Establish clear goals, provide regular feedback, and cultivate professional and spiritual growth within the team.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture that reflects the Mission's values.
• Spiritual Leadership
• Demonstrate a vibrant and growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ through consistent spiritual disciplines and Christlike character.
• Integrate biblical principles into leadership, decision-making, and relationship building.
• Pray regularly for church partners, team members, donors, volunteers, and those served by the Mission.
• Model the Mission's Christian values in all interactions and responsibilities.
• Mission Representative
• Serve as an ambassador of the San Diego Rescue Mission by communicating its mission, vision, values, and impact with authenticity and excellence.
• Represent the organization at church services, conferences, community events, and networking opportunities.
• Share compelling stories of transformation that inspire churches toward greater partnership.
• Support and participate in ministry-wide activities and chapel services as applicable.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to uphold trauma-informed practices and ensure client dignity.
  
  

Staff Expectations

As a representative of San Diego Rescue Mission, all employees are expected to:

• Adhere to the Statement of Faith, upholding biblical principles in all aspects of work and life.
• Be prepared to share the hope you have in Christ. As a representative of Christ, be ready to gently and respectfully share the Good News of Jesus Christ at all times.
• Live out the Mission, Vision, and Values of the SDRM by safeguarding the Mission, pursuing the Vision, and reflecting our core values—Faith, Compassion, Excellence, Integrity, and Fun—in both your personal and public life. Remain focused on serving, demonstrating a deep desire to see God transform the lives of those experiencing homelessness.
• Intentionally spend time in God’s Word, prayer, staying rooted in a biblical community (local church, ministry, small group) to deepen your relationship with Christ.
• Model servant leadership in all interactions, encourage and support SDRM staff in their walk with Christ, putting the needs of others before yourself.
• Foster a coachable, approachable, and humble spirit, remaining open to feedback, growth, and guidance.
  
  

Qualifications

Qualifications

Education

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree
  
  

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years working in a nonprofit, ministry, or human services environment
• Experience working with individuals facing homelessness, trauma, or addiction preferred
  
  

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to function effectively in a dynamic, faith-based environment
• Strong oral and written communication and administrative skills
• Capable of maintaining emotional resilience in challenging client situations
  
  

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• This role may require walking, standing, lifting up to 25 lbs., and working irregular hours, including evenings or weekends.
• Environment includes residential program sites and client-facing spaces.
  
  

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

San Diego Rescue Mission is an equal opportunity employer and a faith-based organization. All employment decisions are made based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, age, disability, or any other status protected by federal or California law. As a religious organization, SDRM exercises its rights under the Civil Rights Act Section 702 and applicable California law to employ individuals who share its Christian beliefs and values.