Rural Development Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Organization

Founded in 1890, the Catholic Diocese of Dallas serves a rapidly growing and diverse Catholic population of approximately 1.4 million people across nine counties in North Texas, including Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, and Rockwall. The Diocese encompasses 69 parishes, five quasi-parishes, four chapels and churches, and a network of 36 Catholic schools, serving urban, suburban, and rural communities throughout the region.

Under the leadership of the Most Reverend Edward J. Burns, who has served as Bishop since 2017, the Diocese continues to expand its pastoral, educational, and charitable ministries in one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. Bishop Burns also plays a prominent role nationally within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and other Catholic organizations, further elevating the Diocese’s visibility and engagement.

In 2021, the Diocese launched a Synod as a comprehensive, post-pandemic pastoral initiative to discern priorities and guide long-term renewal. This process engaged thousands of clergy, religious, and lay faithful across the Diocese through listening sessions, and its preparatory phase culminated in a Synod Assembly in 2024, where delegates working in consultation with the Bishop reflected upon a broad set of resolutions.

Building on this work, Bishop Burns issued a Post-Synodal Pastoral Letter and Plan in December 2025, “The Hope of the Gospel,” which establishes a unified vision for the Diocese and outlines a multi-year implementation phase through 2031. This period is focused on strengthening evangelization, formation, and missionary discipleship, while also advancing organizational effectiveness and stewardship across parishes, schools, and diocesan ministries.

Together, these efforts reflect a Diocese that is both rooted in tradition and actively positioning itself for sustained spiritual, pastoral, and institutional growth in the years ahead.

The Opportunity

The Chief Development Officer (“CDO”) will serve as the chief development leader for the Catholic Diocese of Dallas and a member of the Diocesan leadership team. This individual will play a central role in strengthening and expanding a culture of philanthropy across the Diocese and the broader community, ensuring that fundraising efforts are aligned with its mission, pastoral priorities, and long-term vision.

As the Diocese enters the implementation phase of its Synod (2025–2031), this role represents a shift toward a more integrated and strategic approach to development. The Chief Development Officer will be responsible for overseeing and advancing all philanthropic activities in support of diocesan ministries, including capital campaigns, the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, planned giving, special events, and other revenue-generating initiatives.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely with Bishop Burns and other senior leaders, the Chief Development Officer will help translate diocesan priorities into clear funding strategies while ensuring coordination across a large and decentralized network of parishes, schools, and ministries. This includes providing guidance and support to local leaders, strengthening development practices across the system, and establishing consistent principles, policies, and processes that enhance overall effectiveness.

The CDO will also be responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major donors, while expanding engagement with both Catholic and broader philanthropic communities. In addition to direct fundraising, this individual will provide leadership and direction to a team of nine development professionals and oversee the development infrastructure, including systems, analytics, and team capabilities. The CDO will evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising programs to ensure continued growth and sustainability.

This role requires a leader who can operate at both a strategic and tactical level—someone who can manage complex fundraising efforts, guide organizational change, and build trusted relationships across a wide range of stakeholders. Ultimately, the CDO will be instrumental in ensuring that the Diocese has the resources necessary to support its ministries and fulfill its mission across North Texas.

Working closely with Bishop Burns and diocesan leadership, the Chief Development Officer:

• Leads, manages, and administers significant fundraising campaigns ($100M+).
• Develops and maintains a clear understanding of the fundraising priorities of the Diocese and oversees Diocesan fundraising initiatives.
• Manages daily operational standards, procedures, and responsibilities for all Diocesan capital campaigns, annual appeals, golf tournaments, and monitors parish campaigns.
• Works closely with the Business Office to ensure adherence to all audit standards.
• Develops and implements a strategic plan for all Diocesan advancement initiatives.
• Develops or updates appropriate advancement principles.
• Oversees the Bishop’s Annual Appeal and the Bishop’s Invitational Golf Tournament and evaluates continued opportunities to increase revenue.
• Oversees Diocesan Sunday collections, including frequency, coordination with parishes, and management of special or emergency collections when needed.
• Identifies, engages, cultivates, and solicits prospective donors.
• Seeks philanthropic support through annual giving, direct mail, memorials, grants, special events, capital campaigns, and planned giving programs.
• Serves as a resource to local estate and tax professionals for consultation in the areas of planned giving.
• Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of fundraising programs.
• Reviews and recommends all fundraising activities for the Diocese.
• Participates in public relations activities with various groups to encourage their support.
• Works with groups such as advisory groups and boards for planning, organizing, and evaluating programs for which funds are needed.
• Establishes and maintains high visibility in the Diocese and community at large to promote and to be associated with the Office of Development.
• Works with the staff of Diocesan organizations to develop fundraising and grantsmanship techniques.
• Monitors and acts in response to activities at the local, state, and federal level which may affect fundraising programs or the not-for-profit status of the Diocese.
• Prepares and obtains approval for an annual budget that is based on specific annual goals.
• Selects appropriate staff and manages human capital in a manner that ensures maximum utilization and creates a sense of respect and loyalty; manages financial resources prudently and effectively; plans and organizes all tasks and resources in a manner that results in achievement of strategic goals and objectives.
• Acts as a fundraising and grantsmanship consultant to pastors, boards, principals, presidents, and directors as needed.
• Develops or updates advancement principles and policies with the various Diocesan entities, including parishes and schools.
• Conducts other duties as assigned.