The Organization:

At Caring Network, we’re mission-minded people—living out our faith by meeting pregnant and abortion-minded women in crisis with love, compassion, and support. From our grassroots beginnings to today’s growing network, we’re driven by a shared calling: to glorify Christ, stand for life, and walk alongside women who need hope.

The Position:

The Church Relations Development Officer will represent the ministry of Caring Network by increasing and helping to build new long-term partnerships with churches, church leaders and denominations across the state of Illinois. They are responsible for sharing what God is doing through Caring Network, and securing meaningful church partnerships to facilitate new support and funding of this ministry.

This role reports to the Church Partnerships Director, works in close collaboration with the President, and partners with the VP of Development and the Development Team to generate and implement an initial state-wide church engagement strategy. 

Responsibilities:

• This role is responsible for the strategic growth of the church partnership support base for Caring Network, both financially and in long-term donor giving bases. They identify, initiate, and cultivate new relationships with churches, pastors, denominational leaders, and ministry partners, beginning in Cook and DuPage Counties and moving outward into the state of Illinois.
• In collaboration with the Church Partnerships Director, they will research and identify which of these prospective churches to grow the support base for Caring Network partnership, while ensuring a seamless transition to the Church Partnerships Team for continued engagement, stewardship, and long-term relationship development.
• Call, connect and engage new church partners including meeting with pastors, missions and social outreach teams, and life-affirming committees. 
• Engage in face-to-face connections with new churches, helping to establish short-term giving and leading to long-term sustainable giving.
• Serve as one of the relationship managers to church partners, providing stewardship and impact reports as needed.
• Collaborate with Special Events Manager to organize events in the city of Chicago and in strategic locations across Illinois.  This will include recruiting volunteer churches and partners.
• Develop and maintain technology to schedule and communicate with churches. In addition, use Virtuous database to track statistical information and church engagement records.
• Participate in bi-monthly Development Team meetings, quarterly Church Relations Team meetings, and others as requested.

Qualifications:

• A committed Christian who demonstrates a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and is a participant in a local church.
• Exhibit a strong commitment and dedication to the pro-life position and enthusiasm for the mission and strategy of Caring Network.
• Agree with and be willing to uphold Caring Network’s Statements of Faith and Principle and Core Values.
• Bachelor’s Degree required, advanced degree or CFRE a plus.  
• 3–5+ years of successful relationship development, ministry partnership development, and casting vision for new ministry opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to engage pastors, church and ministry partners through strong interpersonal communication and vision casting.  
• Preferred experience in sales or development. 
• Experience as a church leader, pastor, or work in a ministry role engaged in church relations is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.  
• Experience in effective public speaking.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
• Able and willing to travel across the state of Illinois and the Midwest.
• Available to work periodic evenings and weekends as required.
• Comfortable with participating in prayer with co-workers and ministry partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
• Will be based out of the Glen Ellyn administrative office, open to a hybrid or remote schedule. 
• Must have reliable transportation to travel throughout greater Chicagoland and Illinois.

Salary & Benefits:

• $80,000-$95,000, based on experience
• Generous PTO policy including substantial vacation time and sick time
• 10 paid company holidays PLUS Christmas Break
• Paid maternity leave, paternity leave
• Low to no employee cost for health, dental, and vision insurance; discounted rates for dependents.
• 403(b) with company match
• Short-term and Long-Term Disability
• FSA/HSA Program
• Caring, Empowering, Mission-Driven Culture!

#INDM