Director of Development and Stewardship

Petrus Development; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Petrus Development seeks a Director of Development and Stewardship to lead fundraising activities for the Saints Philip and James Church. This role involves managing donor relationships and implementing comprehensive annual fundraising efforts to advance the Church's mission.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree, fundraising experience, strong organizational skills, and exemplary interpersonal skills. Responsibilities include donor engagement, strategic planning, and overseeing fundraising campaigns.

Qualifications

• Practicing Catholic in good standing who upholds Church teachings.
• Track record of securing significant major and principal gifts.
• Ability to quickly learn donor databases and communications platforms.

Responsibilities

• Identify and cultivate relationships with potential major donors.
• Engage alumni, parents, parishioners, and other benefactors.
• Create development materials including appeal graphics and newsletters.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Strong organizational capabilities

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking skills

Writing skills

Familiarity with donor databases

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Bloomerang

MailChimp

Canva

Job description

Posted: June 2026
Status: Open

Organization:

SS. Philip and James Church & University Parish ( Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD)

Position Description

Saints Philip and James Church and University Parish is looking for a Director of Development and Stewardship. The Director of Development and Stewardship leads SS. Philip and James’ fundraising activities at both the campus ministry and the parish at large. This person will work under the direct supervision of the Chaplain & Director of the Catholic Community at Hopkins and ultimately the Pastor of SS. Philip and James. The Director of Development will advance the mission, vision, and strategic plans of SS. Philip and James University Parish, in collaboration with the Dominican friars and other staff to spread the Gospel and the salvation of souls in Baltimore and Johns Hopkins University.

The Director of Development works most closely with the Chaplain to manage donor relationships and implement comprehensive annual fundraising efforts specifically for the Catholic Community at Hopkins. He/She is responsible for broad and creative fundraising and relationship building. The selected candidate will develop and execute a comprehensive major gift strategy and manage the tracking, acknowledgement, and reporting of all gifts. The Director of Development will also play a key role in the planning, budgeting, and oversight of any future capital projects undertaken by the parish and campus ministry.

Qualifications

• Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing who upholds all Church teachings, loves Christ and His Church, is committed to the mission of the Dominican friars and SS. Philip and James, and sees development work as a part of our parish’s mission to evangelize Johns Hopkins University to the saving name of Jesus Christ.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of experience, training, and education is required; master’s degree preferred.
• Track record of securing significant major and principal gifts.
• Strong organizational and leadership capabilities.
• Demonstrated skills in strategic planning, budgeting, research, board development, donor relations, and staff management.
• Exemplary interpersonal, public speaking, and writing skills.
• Demonstrated ethic of accountability in the workplace. High level of initiative and excellent judgment.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to quickly learn donor databases and communications platforms (Bloomerang, MailChimp, etc)

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Major Gift Strategy
  • Identify and cultivate relationships with potential major donors.
  • Personally engage and meet with top donors and prospects.
  • Prepare donor research and prospecting materials to support the Chaplain and Pastor in their major gift conversations.
• Capital Needs
  • Help the University Parish prepare for future capital projects.
• Strategic Planning
  • Develop and maintain an annual development calendar with clear benchmarks and timelines.
  • Plan and execute major annual initiatives including a Giving Tuesday campaign, a year-end appeal, a spring appeal, and various other campaigns as appropriate.
  • Track progress towards annual fundraising goals and provide regular reporting.
  • Support CCH’s monthly donor society, major gift strategy, and grant applications.
• Donor Acknowledgement and Cultivation
  • Engage alumni, parents, parishioners, and other benefactors through monthly donor cultivation efforts and stewardship communications.
  • Oversee all registrations, communications, and post-event follow-up for cultivation initiatives (either in collaboration with Johns Hopkins or hosted by the campus ministry/parish).
  • Ensure timely, personalized acknowledgement of gifts.
  • Pray for the benefactors of CCH and SSPJ, and encourage the rest of the staff to do the same.
• Parish Stewardship Innovation
  • Help the Pastor and parish staff grow and promote giving to the parish through Offertory Appeals, bequests, etc.
• Database & System Management
  • Oversee all donor records and gift tracking while maintaining database integrity and reporting accuracy.
  • Generate financial and donor engagement reports.
  • Manage technical backend of online giving platforms and digital campaigns.
  • Coordinate with parish bookkeeper and Office Manager for reconciliation and compliance with archdiocesan policies.
• Communications & Design
  • Create development materials (often using Canva), including appeal graphics, newsletters, and event collateral.
  • Draft appeal letters, follow-up communications, annual reports, and impact updates that clearly articulate the mission and impact of CCH.
  • Assist with the maintenance of the donor-facing portions of the CCH website and social media presence.