Director Of Development Jobs in Athens, AL (NOW HIRING)

Position Title: Associate Dir. of Development Employment Status: Regular Part-time

Internal Class Title: Associate Dept Director Job Classification: S-21

Department: Development Wage Class: Exempt

Accountable to: Manager and Speaker/Director Date Written: July 2026

Job Summary

This position serves by planning and coordinating the fundraising activities for Breath of Life media ministry, building quality relationships with donors and potential donors, planning and executing projects, and communicating the organization's vision and mission to potential donors so they can participate in funding its evangelistic goals.

Authority & Accountability:

As delegated by and accountable to the Speaker/Director and/or the Manager/Treasurer.

Essential Position Functions:

This position is performance-based. There is an expectation that the efforts will generate confidence in the ministry reflected in a rhythmic increase in donations for the ministry. The Speaker/Director and/or the Manager/Treasurer will develop and outline specific expectations for this role.

• Be a Spiritual and personable leader who understands the importance of donor relationships as a vital spiritual ministry.

• A mature Christian who is in full agreement with the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
• One who maintains a close, growing relationship with Jesus Christ as personal Savior from sin and Lord oflife.
• One who is able to discern the spiritual condition of donors and understand how to encourage them to a greater understanding of the spiritual dimension of estatestewardship.
• One who views the development of donor relationships as a vital spiritualministry.
• Willing and able to travel strategically to meet with donors in their homes or other preferred locations.
• One who knows and understands the workings, the culture, and the ministry atBreath of Lifein all its departments and is conversant with the strengths of its people.
• Be an ethical and professional leader who is certified and accredited in gift planning and trust services.
• RepresentsBreath of Lifeas a field representative at ministry functions and with individual donors.
• Constantly search for opportunities to communicate with people about the vision and mission ofBreath of Life Ministryand its Planned Giving & Trust Services Department, which is designed to facilitate donors' goals of helping to fund the mission of Christ to seek and to save lost people.
• Represent the ministry and/or speak at seminars, major donor events, conferences, convocations, and Partnerships as assigned.
• Continuously be in contact with donors in a healthy balance of phone and written communications and face-to-face visits.
• Cultivate and maintain long-term, meaningful relationships with donors, providing ongoing spiritual encouragement and personalized stewardship guidance that inspires current and future charitable giving in support of the ministry's mission.
• Develop grant proposals and opportunities to secure additional sources of funding forBreath of Life Ministry.

• Initiate phone, email, hard-copy correspondence, and other contacts with donors on a consistent and regular basis to achieve:
• 15 face-to-face donor visits per month on average, including time away from the job for vacation days and holidays. (175 per year). One visit may be at a Partnership event if a meaningful conversation occurs. These visits may include customer care service visits for existing gift plan donors, in the role of Trust Officer.
• Participate in setting realistic territory goals, develop a territory marketing/communication plan, develop a plan to immerse donors in the ministry ofBreath of Life, and set up a schedule designed to fulfill the required level of donor visits.
• Complete reports that are required by the PGTS department or Breath of Life.
• Maintain updated donor records and files. Make sure all donor data is properly entered in the database so that planned giving donors are properly treated in direct mail as major donors and Partners.
• Submit contact reports weekly.
• Submit travel expense reports at least one time per month.
  • Participate in regularly scheduled phone/video meetings and share the progress and activities of the previous week along with plans for the upcoming week/s.
  • Fulfill other responsibilities and duties as assigned by the ministry management.

• Assist with and/or lead development responsibilities, providing successful project management of tasks and initiatives.
• Possess a working knowledge of development best practices; trends in non-profit, religious development; fundraising tools and technology, including donor databases, email and online campaigns, and donor research.
• Designs and frequently updates the development department strategy.
• Plans donor events.
• Implements internet fundraising strategies.
• Creates donor acquisition campaigns.
• Assists in developing and implementing short-term and long-term plans to meet strategic goals and objectives.
• Oversee the management, handling, and recording of donations.
• Assist with writing assignments, including donor letters, donor receipts, targeted appeals, advertisements, and other forms of external department communication.
• Develop and maintain donor recognition programs.
• Utilize Raiser's Edge, the donor management database, or other donor databases that may be used by the organization.
• Plan and manage projects and events related to development, including:
  • Donor acquisition campaigns
  • Internet and in-person fundraising strategies
• Develop marketing messages to be communicated externally via social media, website, email, and print, and ensure messages are clear and current.
• Assist in the coordination of special events, which may include camp meetings, conventions, and other external events.
• Fulfill other responsibilities and duties as assigned.

Position Specifications:

Qualifications, Scope, and Complexity of Duties:

• • Education: Minimum of a college degree or equivalent experience. NAD Trust Services Certification is required (if not already certified, must obtain certification within two years of employment in the position).
  • Experience: Minimum of 1 year in fundraising environment or donor development; Planned Giving and Trust Service experience is preferred.
  • A minimum of seven (7) Years of professional work experience is required.
  • Member: Embrace the mission and values of Breath of Life and be a member in good standing of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Skills, scope, and Complexity of Duties:

• • Necessary organizational skills to handle the job assignment
  • Ability to exercise direction, independent judgment, make decisions, and assume responsibility.
  • Good personal relationship skills
  • Understand or be willing to receive training continually.
  • Flexibility to adapt to urgent projects or unusual situations.

Interpersonal Relationships:

• Within Ministry:
  • Speaker/Director
  • Manager/Treasurer
  • Other Department Directors
  • Office staff
  • AMM Support Staff
    
• Outside Ministry:
  • Trust Officers of other SDA entities
  • Donors and personnel at events, as well as all attendees
    

Working Conditions:

• General Working conditions of an office
• Travel flexibility and travel hazards
• Physical requirements: requires driving, standing, walking, time at a desk, reaching, climbing, and lifting (maximum of 50 lbs.)

Specific requirements:

• • Will require variable or weekend work on occasion
  • No special clothing or safety gear required