Project Development Director Jobs in Indianapolis, IN

HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

REPORTS TO:  Director of Advancement

DIRECT REPORTS: Indirectly, campaign-related staff, contractors, and volunteers

POSITION OBJECTIVE: The Develpment Director serves as the lead strategist and driver of fundraising campaigns at Heritage Christian School, with primary responsibility for directing the annual Heritage Fund, the current two-year $6 million comprehensive campaign, and future capital campaigns supporting campus expansion and strategic priorities.

This role provides frontline major gift leadership, campaign architecture, donor portfolio management, and executional oversight across all phases of fundraising: planning, quiet phase, public phase, and closeout. 

Working in close partnership with the Director of Advancement, Head of School, and key volunteer leaders, the Heritage Fund Manager builds strong donor relationships, advances solicitations, manages campaign pipelines, and ensures disciplined movement of prospects through the gift cycle.

The Development Director plays a critical role in advancing a culture of generosity and positioning Heritage Christian School for long-term philanthropic sustainability.

QUALIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: The employee must be a Christian with an authentic and a mature personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who agrees to the HCS Statement of Faith, Charter of Core Values and Employee Covenant in both their professional conduct and personal lifestyle. The employee is committed to incorporating these qualities and standards in carrying out the calling to Christian education. In addition, the ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships, representing Christ and HCS professionally and positively with the HCS community-at-large, including faculty and staff, Board members, parents, volunteers and others is crucial to the success of this role.

EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s in business or related field of study. 5+ years of experience in fundraising, development, or campaign leadership. Demonstrated success securing major gifts. Experience with annual funds and capital campaigns. Proficiency with donor CRM systems

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

• Relationship builder

• Strategic and analytical thinker

• Results-oriented and disciplined

• Comfortable with asking for gifts

• Organized project manager

• Collaborative team player

• Ability to attend evening and weekend events

• Ability to use computer and standard office equipment

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and manage overall strategy for the Heritage Fund, current $6M campaign, and future capital campaigns

• Develop campaign frameworks including case for support, gift range charts, pyramids, naming opportunities, and phased timelines

• Establish solicitation strategies for lead, principal, major, and leadership annual gifts

• Partner with Director of Advancement to align campaign priorities with institutional strategic plans

Major Gift & Leadership Annual Giving

• Manage a portfolio of major and leadership annual gift prospects and donors

• Conduct qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits

• Personally solicit major gifts and campaign commitments

• Prepare tailored proposals and gift conversations in partnership with the Director of Advancement and Head of School

• Advance donors toward multi-year commitments and stretch giving

Volunteer & Leadership Engagement

• Recruit, train, and support campaign cabinet members and key volunteers

• Prepare volunteers for peer-to-peer cultivation and solicitation

• Coordinate solicitation assignments and track outcomes

• Provide clear briefing materials, talking points, and follow-up support

Campaign Management & Execution

• Manage day-to-day execution of campaign plans

• Maintain campaign prospect pipelines and stage movement

• Monitor progress toward goals and adjust strategies as needed

• Ensure timely production of proposals, pledge agreements, and acknowledgments

• Oversee campaign calendar and milestone tracking

Collaboration & Integration

• Work closely with Director of Advancement on strategy, forecasting, and reporting

• Collaborate with Advancement Manager on operational execution, reporting, and materials

• Partner with Communications/Marketing to ensure strong campaign messaging and visibility

• Coordinate with Finance on pledge recording, receipting, and reconciliation

Reporting & Analytics

• Produce regular campaign progress reports and dashboards

• Track solicitation activity, close rates, average gift size, and pipeline health

• Use data to inform strategy and resource allocation

Stewardship & Donor Experience

• Ensure timely and meaningful acknowledgment of gifts

• Participate in design of stewardship touches and recognition programs

• Support donor events and engagement opportunities

• Promote strong retention and long-term relationships

Supervisory & Leadership 

• Provides functional leadership for campaign-related staff, contractors, and volunteers

• May supervise campaign support personnel as the department scales

The above description covers the most significant duties performed but does not restrict the administration’s right to assign or reassign other reasonable duties, responsibilities, or expectations to this job at any time, with or without advance notice.  The information contained in the job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Ability to work in a standard office environment with frequent use of a computer, telephone, and other office equipment for extended periods of time. Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and through written and electronic communication.  Ability to remain stationary for extended periods.  

Ability to move throughout the school campus and event venues. Ability to occasionally lift, carry, move, and transport materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Ability to travel locally and occasionally regionally.  Ability to maintain focus and productivity in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions, multiple deadlines, and shifting priorities. Visual ability to read printed and digital materials, analyze reports and donor data, and prepare presentations and communications. Manual dexterity sufficient to operate computers, mobile devices, presentation equipment, and standard office technology.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  Work is primarily performed in a professional office and school environment, both indoors and outdoors.  Position requires frequent participation in meetings, fundraising events, donor visits, school functions, and community engagement activities both on and off campus. The environment may include moderate noise levels associated with school operations, events, and large gatherings. Evening and weekend work is periodically required to support fundraising initiatives, donor cultivation activities, campaign events, and school programs. May involve local and occasional regional travel.  

WORK SCHEDULE:  Position works the calendar year (does not follow the academic calendar).  Schedule: Monday-Friday,  typical hours 7:30am - 4:30pm, but may flex depending on meetings and events.