As the Church Engagement Officer, you will intentionally develop, maintain and expand relationships between Buckner and assigned churches and individuals in the West Texas Region (Amarillo, Lubbock and Midland), as appropriate. Actively and strategically engage churches to participate with Buckner in meaningful ways that meet the objectives of both entities. Qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward targeted churches for the purpose of engaging them in Buckner ministries as appropriate and beneficial for the church and Buckner. Qualify new church relationships to determine their capacity and propensity for participating in the programs and ministries of Buckner. Support the goals of the Buckner International by proactively seeking funding opportunities from churches and individuals.

About the position:

• Works directly with church leadership to understand the church's vision, mission, values, objectives, and measures of success
• Builds a core understanding of the philanthropic potential early in the relationship, and proactively presents funding opportunities as appropriate and timely
• Identifies the ministry planning cycle of the church, including its Fiscal Year and key organizational structures related to its ministry operations and fiscal stewardship
• Speaks and teaches at churches, conferences, forums, and workshops on church-based strategies and best practices to engage congregations with the overall work of Buckner
• Coaches church ministry leadership teams how to start, lead, and grow effective ministries that support vulnerable children and families through Buckner core programming
• Identifies open doors and next steps to optimize church engagement opportunities that support the Buckner mission of following the example of Jesus as we serve vulnerable children, families, and seniors
• Effectively cultivates church relationships towards lifetime biblical stewardship and generosity
• Grows Church Engagement portfolio by expanding relationships with new churches, networks, conventions, and denominations that align with Buckner's deeply held religious beliefs and reflect the beauty and diversity of the Church
• Designs strategic ministry initiatives in collaboration with the Senior Director of Church Engagement that engages churches and yields measurable results

As a Church Engagement Officer, you must:

• Requires in-depth understanding of a comprehensive field of knowledge as evidenced by the attainment of a Bachelor's Degree in a related field. Bachelor's Degree in a related field required.
• Requires 5 or more years of successful experience working with churches, relationship management, or a closely related performance area. A particular understanding of churches, religious organizations and/or other church-related organizations is required.
• Prior experience preparing and presenting project proposals.
• Living in West Texas is preferred but not required.
• Strong sense of diplomacy and demonstrated success in developing strong collaborative relationships with organizational peers and outside colleagues. Requires ability to relate positively, influentially, and sensitively to a broad spectrum of persons in a variety of multi-tiered relationships and settings.
• Ability to relate cross-culturally in various cultural contexts.
• Recognized ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization.
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills, including an ability to synthesize large amounts of information and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue; strong commitment to producing measurable results.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced, high volume, multi-faced, results-oriented work environment and to analyze issues, identify priorities, manage projects, and make decisions expeditiously.
• Experience developing, directing, and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.

EOE