The Diocese of San Jose seeks a dynamic and mission-driven leader to serve as its Mission Advancement & Stewardship (MAS) Director. The Mission Advancement & Stewardship (MAS) Director provides strategic leadership and direction for a comprehensive fundraising and stewardship program that fosters a culture of generosity and supports the mission of the Diocese, its parishes, schools, and ministries. Core initiatives include the Annual Diocesan Appeal, parish offertory, major gifts, planned giving, grants, and partnerships with The Catholic Foundation.
Working closely with the Bishop, Chief Operations Officer and Chief Finance Officer, the MAS Director establishes fundraising priorities, sets measurable goals, and ensures accurate financial reporting and budgeting. In collaboration with the Office of Communications, the MAS Director oversees the development of clear, compelling, and mission-aligned messaging for diverse audiences.
The MAS Director strengthens and expands existing programs while identifying and developing new revenue streams to maximize the Diocese’s philanthropic potential. This role leads the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all stewardship and development efforts, including major gifts, planned giving, corporate matching, grants, and long-term advancement strategies.
The MAS Director supervises development staff, serves as liaison to The Catholic Foundation’s funding and grantmaking activities, and manages a portfolio of major donors. In partnership with the Bishop, the MAS Director plays a key role in cultivating and securing leadership-level gifts.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Other duties may be assigned)
Vision, Strategy & Leadership
- Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive diocesan fundraising and stewardship strategy across annual, major, capital, grant, and planned giving.
- Advise and support the Bishop in establishing philanthropic priorities and advancement strategies.
- Collaborate with parishes and schools to strengthen local fundraising efforts and coordinate diocesan-wide initiatives.
- Provide regular performance reports and analysis to the Bishop, COO, CFO, and Cabinet.
- Partner with the Office of Communications to deliver donor-centered, mission-driven messaging and storytelling.
Major Gifts, Donor Relations & Engagement
- Manage a portfolio of major and leadership donors, overseeing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship in collaboration with senior leadership and clergy.
- Build and sustain relationships with key donors, foundations, and Catholic-aligned funding partners.
- Design and implement personalized donor engagement strategies aligned with donor values and mission impact.
- Ensure timely donor acknowledgment, recognition, and accurate documentation in the donor database.
- Establish and achieve annual fundraising and donor engagement goals.
- Partner intentionally with the Superintendent, principals, and school leadership to strengthen advancement efforts within Catholic schools:
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- Support the development of school-based major gift strategies aligned with diocesan priorities.
- Assist schools in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding donors, including alumni and parent communities.
- Encourage alignment between parish, school, and diocesan fundraising efforts to present a unified mission.
- Provide guidance, tools, and formation to school leaders to build sustainable advancement capacity.
Campaigns, Appeals & Special Initiatives
- Lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of the Annual Diocesan Appeal.
- Direct capital campaigns and special fundraising initiatives, ensuring strong participation and pledge fulfillment.
- Develop campaign strategies, materials, timelines, and training for parish staff and volunteers.
- Monitor results, analyze performance, and implement strategies to increase participation, retention, and revenue.
- Ensure consistent communication of impact aligned with diocesan priorities.
Planned Giving & Legacy Programs
- Promote legacy giving as an expression of faithful stewardship.
- Educate and guide donors on planned giving vehicles in coordination with legal and financial advisors.
- Identify and cultivate planned giving prospects and manage the diocesan legacy society.
- Ensure accurate documentation, tracking, and stewardship of planned gifts.
- Establish and meet annual planned giving goals with pastoral sensitivity.
Stewardship & Parish/School Engagement
- Promote a diocesan-wide understanding of stewardship as a way of life rooted in gratitude, discipleship, and shared responsibility for the Church’s mission.
- Develop and deliver comprehensive formation resources tailored to parishes, schools, and ministries at various stages of stewardship maturity:
- Actively partner with pastors, parish leadership teams, the Superintendent, and principals to strengthen local stewardship efforts:
- Lead and continually enhance the annual Stewardship Conference as a key moment of formation, inspiration, and collaboration:
- Work with pastors and parish leaders to identify, form, and engage the gifts of parishioners in service to the Church’s mission.
Leadership, Finance & Operations
- Recruit, supervise, and develop advancement staff; foster a high-performing, mission-centered team.
- Support volunteer leadership, including the Bishop’s Development Advisory Board.
- Oversee departmental budgeting, revenue forecasting, and financial analysis.
- Ensure accurate gift processing, compliance with donor intent, and adherence to financial, legal, and ethical standards.
- Manage development operations, systems, and CRM (including ParishSOFT); establish KPIs, dashboards, and standard operating procedures.
- Coordinate effectively with finance, communications, parish support, and ministry teams.
- Data, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement
Establish clear metrics and feedback loops to measure effectiveness and guide decision-making.
External Relations & Professional Leadership
- Manage relationships with external vendors and consultants.
- Represent the Diocese in professional associations and remain current on best practices in Catholic fundraising and stewardship.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Demonstrated success in overseeing successful fundraising programs, including annual fund campaigns
- Proven ability to cultivate and solicit major gifts of $500,000 or more
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills are
- Possesses a sound working knowledge of the Catholic faith and of the Church hierarchy, especially related to stewardship and charitable giving.
- Must maintain up-to-date personal certification for diocesan Safe Environment program in compliance with The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (USCCB) and related diocesan requirements.
- Demonstrated success in overseeing successful fundraising programs, including annual fund campaigns
QUALIFICATIONS TO PERFORM THE JOB SUCCESSFULLY:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability or physical demands required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position
Education and/or Experience: Minimum of bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Non-Profit Administration, or related area of study. Advance degree or certification in Philanthropy, or related field preferred. Minimum of five to seven years in a leadership capacity in fundraising or related work experience, preferably in a non-profit/religious environment and multicultural community. Three or more years in stewardship education a plus, preferably in the Catholic Church.
Language Skills: Strong ability to communicate, orally and in writing. Bilingual skills in Spanish, Vietnamese or any language a plus.
Leadership Skills: Strong ability to provide direction, inspiration, communication, and guidance. Exhibit confidence and commitment.
Computational Skills: Excellent mathematic, calculating, accounting and budgeting skills required.
Reasoning Ability:
- Analytical Problem Solving: able to use a systematic approach in solving problems through analysis of problem and evaluation of alternate solutions; use logic, mathematics or other problem-solving tools in data analysis or in generating solutions.
- Decisiveness: able to make decision quickly on available information and take action; make commitments and not change decision when challenged; deal with emergencies as necessary.
Technical Skills: Technology skills including by not limited to knowledge of computer, ability to use a variety of programs; skill in Internet and email use; knowledge and ability in the use of basic business machines.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: None
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods, use hands in repetitive motion tasks, handle objects and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand or move about and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Large group presentations require extended use of voice. The position demands high levels of energy to interact with numerous individuals and groups, and to work long hours each day, weekends and evenings.
Physical Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work primarily in an individual office with a door. The noise level is generally quiet. The employee will also be required to attend on and off-site meetings with varying environments.
Working Conditions: The employee must be physically present in the office much of the time and travel to parish and school sites as required. He/she just be able to work cooperatively with other members of staff and be able to multi-task. Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends, and with all levels of Church hierarchy.
Other Requirements:
- Must be a practicing Catholic and have in-depth knowledge of Church structure, culture, and its
- Ability to articulate and communicate the vision, mission, and philosophy of the Diocese of San
- Proven leadership ability with community, religious, social and professional
- Familiarity with Santa Clara County, and the roles and responsibilities of parishes and dioceses in the S.
- An eagerness to collaborate with
- Ability to build professional trust, partner with stakeholders, and lead collaboration within and among diocesan
- Exceptional communication
- Adept at collecting, analyzing, and responding to multiple forms of
- Ability and willingness to operate within a complex, culturally and economically diverse environment, including a multicultural work force.
Salary Range: $170,000–$200,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting a resume and cover letter to jobs@dsj.org
