Position Summary
The Director of Finance and Development is a senior leadership position responsible for the financial integrity, operational stewardship, and philanthropic growth of the Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes. The Director reports directly to the Pastor/Rector and serves as his principal advisor and trusted partner on all matters of parish finance and development. This individual will serve as the chief financial steward for all five canonical parishes while playing a lead operational role in the Cathedral's upcoming capital campaign, working closely with the engaged philanthropic counsel firm and volunteer campaign leadership to ensure the campaign's success. The Director will also manage the cluster's day-to-day finance function, including supervision of bookkeepers, and will serve as the parishes' primary point of contact with the diocesan finance office.
This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced finance and development professional to apply their gifts in service of a historic Cathedral and a thriving multi-parish Catholic community at a pivotal moment in its history.
Key Position ResponsibilitiesFinancial Management, Administration & Staff Oversight (Five-Parish Cluster)
- Serve as chief financial steward for all five canonical parishes of the cluster: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sacred Heart/St. Dominic, Saint Christopher, Saint Louis, and Saint Peter.
- Oversee preparation of annual operating budgets for each parish, in consultation with the Rector/Pastor and the Cluster Finance Council.
- Direct monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting for each parish and for the cluster as a whole, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with Diocese of Portland financial policies.
- Ensure proper internal controls over cash handling, offertory counting, deposits, accounts payable, and payroll across all parish locations.
- Prepare and present financial reports to combined and individual parish finance councils as required.
- Coordinate annual diocesan financial reporting, audits, and internal control reviews, serving as the parishes' primary point of contact with the diocesan finance office.
- Oversee management of parish investments, restricted funds, endowments, and special collections in accordance with diocesan and canonical requirements.
- Monitor and manage cash flow across the cluster, including coordination of shared services and cost allocation among the five parishes.
- Directly supervise two part-time parish bookkeepers, providing training, workflow oversight, and quality control of day-to-day bookkeeping across the cluster's parishes.
- Oversee HR compliance and policy implementation across the cluster, including payroll, benefits administration, and adherence to diocesan and employment-law requirements.
- Provide a structured and collaborative knowledge-transfer process with the current Director of Finance and Administration during a planned phased transition, ensuring continuity of financial operations and institutional knowledge.
Capital Campaign & Development Leadership
- Serve as the parish internal liaison and project manager for the Cathedral capital campaign, working hand-in-hand with the engaged philanthropic firm throughout the planning, quiet, and public phases of the campaign.
- Coordinate the gathering, organization, and reporting of financial and donor data needed to support feasibility studies, case-for-support development, gift tables, and campaign progress reporting.
- Partner with the Rector, campaign counsel, and various campaign leaders and committees to help cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift donors.
- Partner with the Director of Communications and campaign counsel to help shape donor-facing campaign materials, messaging, and progress updates, ensuring the case for support is communicated clearly and consistently across print, digital, and in-person channels.
- Lay groundwork for an ongoing culture of philanthropy at the Cathedral and across the cluster beyond the campaign itself, including annual appeal support and planned giving awareness.
Requisite Background, Skills & QualificationsFaith & Mission
- Practicing Roman Catholic in good standing, with a genuine commitment to and understanding of the teachings, mission, and pastoral life of the Catholic Church.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate the Church's mission into financial stewardship and donor engagement, recognizing that this role is a ministry of stewardship as much as a finance function.
- Comfort and credibility engaging with clergy, religious, donors, and parishioners across a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and languages reflective of the cluster's diverse community.
- Willingness to support and participate in the sacramental and parish life of the Cathedral and cluster as appropriate to the role.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field required; CPA, MBA, or CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) credential preferred but not required.
- Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive financial management experience, ideally including nonprofit, parish, diocesan, or other faith-based or mission-driven organizational settings.
- Demonstrated experience supporting or managing a capital campaign, major gift fundraising effort, or comprehensive development program, ideally within a religious, nonprofit, or institutional advancement context.
- Experience supervising staff, including bookkeeping or accounting personnel, with a demonstrated ability to mentor, train, and manage performance.
- Experience working with outside professional consultants (e.g., campaign counsel, auditors, financial advisors) and presenting financial information to volunteer boards or councils.
Technical & Professional Skills
- Strong working knowledge of nonprofit and/or fund accounting principles (GAAP), budgeting, and financial reporting; familiarity with parish or diocesan accounting structures strongly preferred.
- Proficiency with accounting and donor management software (e.g., QuickBooks, ParishSOFT, Sage, Raiser's Edge, eCatholic, or similar platforms); ability to learn new systems quickly.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear financial reports and donor-facing materials for varied audiences — from parish staff to major gift donors to diocesan officials.
- Working knowledge of marketing and communications principles — including donor messaging, basic content/social media awareness, and campaign collateral — sufficient to partner effectively with the Director of Communications and campaign counsel; hands-on design or production experience is a plus but not required.
- High degree of discretion, integrity, and professionalism in handling confidential financial and donor information.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple parish entities, a capital campaign, and a small finance team simultaneously.
- Collaborative, relationship-oriented working style; comfortable serving as a trusted advisor to a single Pastor responsible for five parishes, and managing the complexity of a shared, multi-site parish cluster.
- Diplomatic and professional in working with diocesan offices and other outside stakeholders.
Application for the Position
This is a full-time, exempt position based at the Pastoral Offices, 307 Congress Street, Portland, Maine, with regular presence required during office hours 9am-5pm. To apply for the position, please submit to indeed or email the Rector/Pastor, Fr. Seamus Griesbach a cover letter, resume, and three professional references. An initial phone interview will be scheduled with qualified applicants.
About the Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes
The Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes consists of five canonical Roman Catholic parishes: the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sacred Heart/St. Dominic, Saint Christopher, Saint Louis, and Saint Peter. These parishes serve the heart of Portland, Maine, and its island communities within the Diocese of Portland, all under the leadership of a single pastor who also serves as Rector of the Cathedral. At the center of the cluster stands the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Mother Church of the Diocese and seat of the Bishop and one of the most treasured architectural and spiritual sites in Maine. The cluster celebrates Mass in English, Spanish, French, and Polish, and sustains an active sacramental, formational, and charitable life across its parishes.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $65,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Dependent health insurance coverage
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- What experience do you have working in Catholic organizations?
- Do you have experience with Catholic parish financial management and development?
Education:
Experience:
- Financial management: 5 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Portland, ME 04101 (Required)
Work Location: In person
