Director of Development

Job Description:

Primary responsibility is for the overall operational administration of activities related to annual giving, while also playing a role in building other long-term philanthropic support for Louisville Seminary, such as major gifts, planned giving, and/or grant writing.

Department: Advancement Office

Supervision: Vice President for Advancement

Responsibilities:

The Director shall have primary responsibility for designing, implementing, managing, and evaluating a comprehensive, creative, and compelling giving program.

  • Through participation in overall Institutional Advancement Office strategic planning and goal-setting, preparation of fundraising materials, and reporting of progress
  • Through formulation of an evolving case for support, which is commensurate with the Seminary’s mission and priorities and designed to generate greater financial support from alums, trustees, employees, friends, corporations, and foundations
  • Through personal contact with donors
  • Prepare and analyze various strategic fundraising tools and reports
  • Through direct mail, e-mail, and digital campaigns
  • Through donor retention, stewardship, recruitment, and upgrade strategies
  • Through identifying, preparing, and submitting viable grant proposals to foundations
  • By managing an annual budget for the annual giving program
  • Work with other departments (Enrollment and Student Success, Communications, Black Church Studies, and Academics) in designing strategies to enhance fundraising

Participating with the larger Advancement team to staff public events, special events, and community activities, as well as other responsibilities identified by the VP as assigned.

Experience and Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree preferred
  • The ideal candidate will have 3-5 years of successful fundraising experience; annual giving program experience is preferred
  • Major Gifts, Planned Giving, or Grant Writing experience is highly valued
  • Experience with cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding annual prospects and donors
  • Experience in faith-based, church-related, or higher education organizations is a plus
  • Must be able to work independently and as part of a team while having the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritizing their completion.
  • Excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills
  • Ability to represent the Advancement Office and Louisville Seminary professionally
  • Must be capable of working with sensitive information with complete confidentiality
  • Must be flexible with work schedule and available to work weekends and evenings, and overnight travel periodically, as necessary
  • Ability to respond with sensitivity and awareness to those with diverse cultural, ethnic, social backgrounds, values, attitudes, and languages
  • Solid knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications
  • Knowledge and experience with donor management software; Raiser’s Edge experience preferred
  • Social media knowledge, experience, and understanding is desirable
  • Knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of Louisville Seminary is highly valued, and a graduate of Louisville Seminary is preferred

Physical Requirements:

  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working at a computer

Compensation:

Full-time, exempt position offering a full range of benefits, including 403b pension benefit and health insurance.

Application Process:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested applicants, please email a cover letter and resume to Emalee Rose at erose@lpts.edu.

Pre-Employment Conditions:

A background screening is required.

About Louisville Seminary:

Founded in 1853, Louisville Seminary offers an inclusive and diverse learning community, welcoming students from wide ecumenical backgrounds while maintaining its long, historic commitment to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Louisville Seminary is led by the Holy Spirit to educate people to proclaim the Gospel, to care for all, and to work for justice in communities everywhere. It is distinguished by its nationally recognized marriage and family therapy and field education programs, the scholarship and church service among its faculty and a commitment to training individuals to participate in the continuing ministry of Jesus Christ. For more information, call (800) 264-1839 or visit lpts.edu.
Louisville Seminary is committed to providing our employees an environment that is inspiring, creative and respectful. Louisville Seminary is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, age, creed, sexual orientation or any other protected class.