About AFTAU

American Friends of Tel Aviv University (AFTAU) works in the US to raise awareness and funds to support Tel Aviv University and advance its three-part mission of education, research and community building. AFTAU shares the innovative work the University contributes to the world and builds bridges between the US and Israel. AFTAU raises an average of $24-45 million per year, with an operating budget of ~6M.

As a national non-profit, AFTAU is headquartered in New York City, with offices currently in Florida, Los Angeles and Northern California — and more expansion planned.

About TAU

Tel Aviv University (TAU) is a globally top-ranked university, a leading research institution and a center of discovery. As Israel’s largest public institution of higher learning, TAU is home to 30,000 students, including 2,100 international students from over 100 countries. Among its many rankings and accolades, TAU has been named a Reuters “Top 100 Innovation University” and a Top 100 “Most International Universities in the World.” The University encompasses nine faculties, 35 schools, 400 labs, 18 performing arts centers, and 17 affiliated hospitals in its network.

Position Overview

AFTAU seeks a dynamic, proven and results-oriented fundraiser to serve as the Vice President of the Western Region. This accomplished development professional will join AFTAU at an exciting time of growth, further expanding the organization’s reach and impact.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit, able to create and build upon long-lasting relationships across the western region, with a primary emphasis in LA, Northern California and San Diego. The key focus will be identifying, researching, managing and implementing all cultivation and solicitation plans for a personal portfolio. While focused on the Western region, this position is empowered to collaborate with colleagues in other regions and pursue relationships throughout the national system.

The position will also provide supervision and mentorship to other members of the western development team covering relevant colleagues throughout the region and partners with Marketing and Alumni Relations to plan donor events and support the CEO and board members with managing their donor relationships.

The ideal candidate will bring strategic and systemic thinking along with outstanding organizational, interpersonal and communication skills necessary to build strong and trusted relationships with staff, donors and board members.

This position will report to the Chief Executive Officer.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Strategy & Planning: In collaboration with the CEO and Board, creates a robust development plan for the Western region, including goals and strategies that both expand and steward the donor base. Includes KPI’s for all members of the Western region and utilizes a variety of engagement tactics including parlor meetings, speaker series and other high-impact programming.
2. Moves Management: Identifies and manages a personal portfolio of major donors through prospecting, cultivation, direct solicitations, and stewardship. (AFTAU defines a major donor as $5K and above.) Meets benchmarks for increasing financial support and building AFTAU’s visibility. Supports the CEO and Board Members with navigating their prospect and donor interactions.
   a. Collaborates with relevant team members to maximize institutional, corporate and planned giving within the Western region.
3. Lay Leader Collaboration: Cultivates and nurtures assigned AFTAU Board relationships. Creates and staffs a regional, development lay committee. Recruits, engages and stewards committee members to maximize their engagement and support of AFTAU.
4. Supervision: Recruits, trains, supervises and mentors additional development professionals in the Western region ensuring their optimal contributions to increasing both donors and contributions.
5. Marketing & Engagement: Collaborates with the Marketing and Alumni Relations teams to maximize branding, messaging and visibility of AFTAU among donors, prospects and community partners. Represents AFTAU at relevant community gatherings and fosters a regional culture among lay leadership, donors, and staff.
6. Development Operations: Works with the development team to refine research, data entry, and acknowledgment processes as needed. Tracks and reports progress in the CRM using specific metrics.
7. Performs other relevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Proven fundraising success with an emphasis on individual giving of five- and six-figure gifts. Proven track record of achievement with all stages of moves management and demonstrated ability to cultivate, grow and retain donor and board relationships.
• Demonstrated success supervising and mentoring staff and working on a collaborative team.
• Knowledgeable about the western region Jewish philanthropic community.
• Exceptional communications skills and the ability to motivate and inspire new prospects and existing donors.
• Self-motivated, organized and detail-oriented, with the capacity to independently set goals, manage priorities and use time and resources effectively.
• Proven success working remotely and ability to work evenings, weekends and travel (as needed).
• Fluent in the use of donor management database systems to maximize fundraising results.
• Commitment to promoting the mission of Tel Aviv University.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Applicants must be located on the west coast with a preference for LA or SFO.

Compensation

AFTAU offers competitive compensation, excellent benefits and a supportive workplace culture. The salary range for this position is $200,000 – 240,000 per year (commensurate with experience).

To Apply

For this position AFTAU is working with a search partner.
Please click here to submit your cover letter, resume and salary expectations.

American Friends of Tel Aviv University is an equal opportunity employer. AFTAU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by relevant law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.