Development Officer — Legion of Christ College, Cheshire, Connecticut
The Legionaries of Christ are seeking a mission-driven and results-oriented Development Officer to join our team at The Legionaries of Christ Novitiate & College of Humanities (Legion of Christ College) in Cheshire, Connecticut. This hybrid role offers the opportunity to support vocations to the priesthood by cultivating meaningful relationships with benefactors who share in our Catholic mission.
Legion of Christ College, founded in 1982 in Cheshire, Connecticut, is a principal center of formation for the Legionaries of Christ worldwide. The seminary provides schooling for Legionary brothers in their first four years of formation towards the priesthood. As part of their training, they also perform mission work in locations across North America. Following their formation in Cheshire, the men study philosophy and theology in Rome before being ordained to the priesthood.
Position Overview
Reporting to the Director of Development, the Development Officer plays a key role in advancing the fundraising goals of the Novitiate & College of Humanities, a principal seminary and center of formation for the Legionaries of Christ worldwide. This individual will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, helping to ensure the sustainability and growth of our seminary college’s mission.
If you have:
- A proven record of fundraising success
- A passion for the Catholic faith
- Strong relationship-building skills
- A desire to help young men discern the priesthood
Then we encourage you to apply.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and manage a portfolio of donors and prospects through personal outreach (calls, visits, and digital engagement).
- Secure financial support for annual, special, and planned giving initiatives.
- Share the mission and spiritual impact of the Legionaries of Christ through storytelling and relationship-building.
- Guide benefactors on their spiritual journey, serving as a faith-filled companion and resource.
- Represent the college at events, retreats, and fundraisers to strengthen donor relations.
- Meet or exceed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including donor visits, solicitations, and funds raised.
- Maintain accurate records in the donor database and assist in development reporting.
- Participate in team meetings, ongoing training, and bi-annual national gatherings.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 3–5 years of successful fundraising experience, preferably within Catholic organizations.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated success engaging with donors and presenting compelling cases for support.
- Highly organized with keen attention to detail and the ability to work independently.
- Technologically proficient (MS Office, Excel required; Microsoft Teams and Salesforce preferred).
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel.
- Practicing Roman Catholic (required).
- Familiarity with the mission of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi strongly preferred.
Personal Qualities
- Mission-driven.
- Collaborative team player with a positive, solutions-oriented mindset.
- Self-starter with a strong sense of accountability and initiative.
- Adaptable and open to feedback and growth.
- Compassionate, patient, and an attentive listener.
- Contributes to positive culture of organization.
Benefits
LC Territorial Center, Inc also offers its team members a robust benefits package that includes:
- Hybrid of remote/work from home and in office day.
- Several 100% employer-paid insurance benefits: basic life ADD and short-term disability
- Other employer-employee cost shared insurance benefits for employee and family: medical, dental, vision, HSA and PPO
- Optional employee paid benefits: FSA, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity, long-term disability, additional life insurance
- A retirement plan with a 25% match on the first 6% deferred
- Generous paid time off and paid holidays (vacation, holidays, personal and sick leave) Spiritual enrichment opportunities (retreats, daily Mass, prayerful work environment).
- Paid parental leaves at 100% of base salary
- Spiritual enrichment opportunities (retreats, daily Mass, prayerful work environment).
- Supportive, mission-centered team environment.
How to Apply
Interest candidates can apply online:
Please provide:
- A thoughtful cover letter expressing your interest in the role and alignment with the Catholic mission.
- Your wage expectations.
- A current resume.
The Legionaries of Christ
The Legionaries of Christ, founded in 1941, is a Roman Catholic congregation of priests whose mission is to form apostles and Christian leaders to build up the Kingdom of Christ. Numbering about 1,000 priests worldwide, the Legionaries are part of the global Regnum Christi family, a federation that also includes laity, Consecrated Women, and Consecrated Men. The legionaries minister in education, youth work, and other pastoral ministries. They strive with zeal to evangelize, to promote the Catholic faith and social justice, and to perform various works of mercy. In the United States, there are Legionary communities in Dallas, California, Connecticut, Houston, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Orleans, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.
