The Pacific School of Religion (PSR) in Berkeley, CA, seeks an experienced professional to serve as Director of Development, supporting its ambitious Fearless Campaign launch. Reporting to the Executive Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships, and collaborating with PSR’s hands-on president, this role manages the annual fund, leadership giving, donor relations, events, and development communications.
We seek candidates with experience engaging progressive, diverse individuals, including alumni, donors, and community members. The ideal candidate will advance PSR’s mission to cultivate spiritual leaders who challenge extremism and champion grace and radical inclusion. PSR, while non-denominational, partners with the United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church, and the Disciples of Christ.
If you’re driven to help shape a world where all can thrive, join PSR’s dedicated team committed to fostering meaningful change.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Mid-level leadership annual fund giving personal solicitations, including in-person and via phone, email and other channels
• Responsible for coordination and day-to-day elements of fundraising program, specifically annual fund, Alumnx relations, and congregational relations
- Manage operational support including the effective use of Development’s CRM/database
• Manage department communications in respect to scope of work.
• Help implement and monitor strategies to achieve department goals
• Effective oral and written communicator
• Supervise student workers, contract staff, and volunteers when applicable
GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
Solicitation (approximately 60 % of effort):
• Carry a portfolio of 75 – 100 mid-level donors and prospects. Work with the Executive Director of Development to identify, research, and create strategies for cultivating and moving donors along the pipeline and meeting fundraising targets.
• Manage the Annual Fund strategy including annual appeals, special appeals, and e-appeals. Manage all aspects of the Annual Fund process, including writing, segmenting, producing, mailing, and tracking appeals. Produce compelling collaborate, develop giving incentives, and appropriately thank and recognize donors. Utilize data and best practices to create programs for acquisition, retention, and upgrades. Provide opportunities and incentives for monthly, payroll, and endowment giving and coordinate fundraising with PSR centers, especially CLGS and Ignite.
• Ensure an effective stewardship plan for donors at all levels that is functional and systematic while also meeting diverse needs of donors. Manage annual recurring scholarship and major donor reports.
• Collaborate with the Development team on the annual report and generate the honor roll of donors.
• Manage administrative systems and functions for the Development Department, with the assistance of Development Associate, including gift processing, donor acknowledgements, and reporting. Oversee reporting, list generation, and donor communications for accuracy and strategic impact. Ensure that data management systems are optimized and regularly evaluated to adapt to changing needs. Complete regular assessments and implement updates to procedures and protocols.
• Work with Executive Director of Development to establish development priorities, annual calendar, and fundraising goals. Actively participate in implementing and monitoring strategies to achieve goals and respond to departmental and institutional needs. Assess, analyze, and evaluate fundraising programs to identify issues and need for change and provide recommendations for modifications and adjustments.
• Other duties as assigned.
Relationship Management (approximately 40% of effort):
• Co-manage communications in collaboration with the Communications department to develop and produce online, print, and social media communications, news items, newsletters, and magazine such as monthly e-news and posts for web or social media.
• Write and edit content for e-news, print communications, website pages, and social media outlets including letters, e-mails, announcements, and alumnx profiles. Ensure that messaging is clear, precise, accurate, compelling, and supports PSR’s mission and values.
• Collaborate on projects with the President’s Office, Business Office, Enrollment and Marketing, Student Life, Academic Affairs, Financial Aid, and other centers and affiliates.
• Supervise student workers, contract staff, and volunteers, when applicable.
• Stay informed about best practices and current state of the field by collaborating with colleagues, peer institutions, professional groups, conferences and Raiser’s Edge, NXT database.
REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience Requirement(s):
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum of three years’ experience in fundraising within higher education or non-profit organizations
• Management, supervision, recruitment, and retention experience with staff and volunteers
• Experience using social media, online marketing software, website management, and other online tools such as donation platforms, survey tools, and community engagement
• Experience using Raiser’s Edge fundraising software
• Proficient with personal computers and technology, especially MS Office Suite
• Must have a current driver’s license, acceptable driving record, access to a car, and be able to travel overnight
Certifications & Licenses:
Bachelor’s degree strongly encouraged, or work experience equivalent.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including content creation and public speaking
• Ability to connect with a diverse constituency with varying interests, backgrounds, and beliefs
• Capacity to work collaboratively and across departmental lines at a small, diverse institution
• Skills in a wide range of areas within higher education development
• Commitment to racial, gender, sexual orientation, and economic justice and ability to work effectively in a multicultural and diverse community
• Self-starter, highly motivated, and successful at achieving ambitious fundraising targets
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects and priorities with efficiency, give careful attention to detail, and demonstrate organizational and management skills
