The Chief Advancement Officer serves as the senior advancement executive responsible for developing, implementing, and leading a comprehensive philanthropic strategy that advances the mission, ministries, and long-term sustainability of the Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Catholic Schools, and all mission related activities throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Working closely with the Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia, Archbishop, Curia leadership, pastors, seminary leadership, board members, and key stakeholders, this position provides strategic leadership for annual giving, major gifts, capital and special campaigns, planned giving, donor engagement, stewardship, parish advancement initiatives, and development operations.
The executive will cultivate a culture of philanthropy across the Archdiocese while building strong relationships with major donors, foundations, corporations, clergy, parish leaders, and volunteers. The successful candidate will be a visionary leader with demonstrated success securing transformational gifts, leading high-performing advancement teams, and executing sophisticated fundraising strategies that generate significant and sustainable revenue growth.
This position serves as a key member of the Archdiocesan leadership team and is responsible for advancing philanthropic support for the Archbishop's pastoral priorities, Catholic education, priestly formation, parish vitality, charitable ministries, and other strategic initiatives.
Duties/Responsibilities
Strategic Philanthropic Leadership
• Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year advancement strategy aligned with the Archbishop's vision, Archdiocesan priorities, and long-term financial objectives.
• Serve as the principal architect of the Archdiocese's fundraising strategy, driving sustainable growth in annual, major, planned, and campaign giving.
• Advise the Archbishop, Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia, and senior leadership on fundraising opportunities, philanthropic trends, donor engagement strategies, and revenue forecasting.
• Establish fundraising goals, key performance indicators, and performance dashboards to measure organizational success.
• Lead strategic planning efforts related to philanthropic growth, donor engagement, and mission advancement initiatives.
• Foster a culture of stewardship and philanthropy throughout the Archdiocese and its affiliated ministries.
• With a "mission support" mindset, develop strategies for resources, training, and outreach to support parish CSA leaders in their execution of the annual appeal.
Major Gifts and Principal Gifts
• Maintain a portfolio of high-capacity donors, foundations, corporations, and prospects.
• Develop strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward transformational donors.
Campaign and Revenue Growth
• Lead the design, planning, and execution of comprehensive fundraising campaigns, including capital, endowment, comprehensive, and special initiatives.
• Establish long-term revenue growth strategies across annual, major, planned, and institutional giving programs.
• Identify emerging philanthropic opportunities and recommend innovative approaches for expanding donor support.
Foundation, Corporate, and Planned Giving
• Direct foundation and corporate engagement strategies to secure significant institutional funding.
• Oversee grant development, stewardship, and reporting processes.
• Provide strategic leadership for planned giving, estate gifts, charitable trusts, donor-advised funds, and legacy society programs.
• Collaborate with legal and financial advisors to facilitate complex gift arrangements.
Team Leadership and Development
• Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing advancement team through coaching, succession planning, and professional development.
• Establish accountability standards and performance expectations throughout the department.
• Recruit, retain, and develop top advancement talent.
• Foster collaboration among departments, parishes, schools, and ministries.
Advancement Operations and Stewardship
• Ensuring fundraising operations reflect industry best practices in donor management, gift processing, reporting, compliance, and stewardship.
• Oversee CRM strategy, fundraising analytics, prospect management systems, and donor data governance.
• Ensure exceptional donor experiences through comprehensive stewardship and recognition programs.
• Promote transparency and accountability through comprehensive reporting and financial oversight.
• Responsible for fiscal integrity by preparing and adhering to an annual budget for projects.
• Lead the process to identify and implement software and tools related to gift processing and gift administration. Collaborate with key partners in all aspects of management of those systems.
• Oversee fundraising operations for non-CSA fundable objectives, including the creation of the financial case for support, and monitoring/reporting on progress.
• Provide CSA program management, including development of annual calendar and ensuring key partners meet timeline for deliverables.
• Lead the reconciliation and distribution of gifts to the Donor Designated Fund. Ensure timely communication with beneficiaries and communication with donors.
• Ensure timely recognition and receipt of all giving through CSA, gift catalog, and SHMS.
• Works closely with diocesan staff and Foundation trustees to develop and conduct stewardship education activities and materials for use by parishes and schools throughout the diocese.
Supervisory Responsibilities
• Manages a team of 4+ employees and oversees daily operations.
Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Required
• Demonstrated record of securing transformational gifts.
• Proven success leading comprehensive advancement programs generating multimillion-dollar annual fundraising results.
• Extensive experience directing capital campaigns, endowment campaigns, and major gift initiatives.
• Exceptional relationship-building abilities with high-net-worth individuals, clergy, business leaders, foundations, and community stakeholders.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior leaders, trustees, donors, and volunteers.
• Advanced strategic planning and organizational leadership capabilities.
• Deep knowledge of donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and philanthropic best practices.
• Experience managing fundraising technology platforms, analytics, and data-driven decision-making.
• Strong financial acumen, budget management, and forecasting skills.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, as needed.
Preferred
• Experience within a Catholic diocese, Catholic higher education institution, seminary, healthcare system, or other faith-based organization.
• Knowledge of Catholic stewardship principles and ecclesial governance structures.
• Experience working directly with bishops, pastors, boards, and major benefactors.
• Experience managing high value fundraising programs.
Education and Experience Requirements
Education
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Master's degree strongly preferred in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy, Public Administration, Theology, Communications, or related field.
• CFRE, CAP, or equivalent professional fundraising certification preferred.
Experience
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible fundraising and advancement leadership experience.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of senior leadership experience managing professional development teams.
• Demonstrated success securing major and principal gifts and leading complex fundraising initiatives.
• Experience overseeing comprehensive advancement programs, campaign strategy, fundraising operations, donor relations, and organizational growth.
Physical Requirements
• Prolonged sitting and working at a desk with repetitive motion working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time.
• May involve some standing, bending, and walking.
Travel Requirements
• Must have reliable transportation and ability to travel throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Additional Requirements
• Must agree, upon acceptance of an offer of employment with the Archdiocese of Detroit, not to engage in, nor to endorse, any actions or beliefs contrary to the teaching and standards of the Roman Catholic faith and morality.
• Must be a Catholic in good standing and adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Must demonstrate understanding, respect and support for Catholic Church teaching, mission, and values.
• Affinity for mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations and a commitment to serving the Catholic Church in Southeast Michigan.
• Knowledge of the Roman Catholic faith, its institutions, policies and practices a plus.
• Must have a valid driver's license and safe driving record
Other Duties
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
