Director Transformative Giving

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

The Mission Advancement unit of the LCMS works closely with Synod’s Communications unit to support the mission and ministry efforts of the Office of National Mission, the Office of International Mission, and Pastoral Education which all report to the Chief Mission Officer. The Chief Mission Officer, on behalf of the President, shall supervise fundraising activity of the national office according to the policies established by the Board of Directors of the Synod.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the Executive Director, Mission Advancement.
Relates to, collaborates with and supports other Directors within Mission Advancement
Supervises select Mission Advancement staff and interacts with the staff of other Mission Advancement subunits (sections).
Working relationships will also include other departments of the Synod, entities and partners as they relate to specific programs and projects.

Essential Job Functions

The Director – Transformative Giving is responsible for implementing strategies, plans, and activities designed to manage the interdependent relationship efficiently and effectively between the LCMS and its donor constituents, specifically those who God blesses with the capacity, commitment, and personal interest for supporting the Synod’s national and international work in significant and transformative ways.

Alongside other section directors, and under the leadership of the executive director of Mission Advancement, serve on the Mission Advancement management team (cabinet) to strategically plan and carry out the unit’s work of fund-raising, contributor care and constituent relations.

Provides the executive director of Mission Advancement with collegial support and counsel on all aspects of the unit’s work, including the development of case statements, policies and procedures, staff and volunteer collaboration activities, publicity and public relations plans involving LCMS Communications, special events, and the receipting and reporting on mid- and major- (transformative) gifts and grants.

Offers candid input to the executive director regarding how to best manage all of the department’s human, material and financial resources.

Assists the executive director in completing all work required to develop the unit’s annual operating budget, including revenue projections and the cost of personnel and activities required to meet fundraising goals.

Serves as the team lead in recruiting, orienting, training, mentoring and supervising the unit’s team of advocates, the grants/foundations program, mid-level program coordinator(s), select managed giving program(s), research, and administrative support staff. Draws on staff involvement as appropriate from other parts of Mission Advancement. Holds the team of advocates, program coordinators, researchers, and the grants/foundations team accountable for work to be performed under the unit’s annual and long-range plans, and its policies and procedures.

Functions as a model for other mission advocates, building relationships with a tightly defined portfolio of major donors and major gift prospects. Designs and implements strategies and activities to move prospects and donors to higher levels of giving. Serves as a model of professionalism for other staff.

At the direction of the executive director assumes management responsibility for the funding of select initiatives that do not fall readily into either the campaigns/special programs, member engagement, missionary support and pastoral formation/care areas.

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the President, the Chief Mission Officer or the executive director of Mission Advancement.

Education and Experience

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree; a master’s degree in a related field is preferred
Professional fund-raising certification is required (CFRE, CDE or equivalent)
Six or more years’ experience in fund development, including manager-level experience in a non-profit environment

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated ability to set and achieve goals.
Ability to function in a management system that emphasizes results and accountability.
Demonstrated ability to rapidly build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, major gifts colleagues and other Mission Advancement staff members in order to strengthen teamwork.
Above average knowledge of and familiarity with the Synod structure and leadership, rostered workers, auxiliaries and partners of the Synod.
Ability to plan, organize, execute and evaluate fund raising strategies and activities; open to positive improvements and new approaches in resource development and fund raising.
Strong communication skills, both written and oral, including giving presentations.
Strong working knowledge of Christian stewardship principles and the ability to apply those principles in a fundraising environment.
Ability to relate easily to clergy and lay leadership as well as to a variety of people in order to secure their interest, involvement and investment in the work of Synod.
Willing to travel frequently.
Knowledge of financial matters and a willingness to use technology to enhance productivity.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position is responsible for directly supervising several other staff members in Mission Advancement, including but not limited to:

Mission Advocates (including deployed personnel)
Congregation and District Relations Advocate
Grants/Foundations Manager
(Mid-Level) Program Coordinator(s), including managed giving program(s)
Portfolio Managers (Research staff)
Administrative Support Staff

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The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

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Director Transformative Giving