JCC MetroWest, West Orange, NJ 07052 – Full Time, Exempt
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

JCC MetroWest is seeking a mission-driven Director of Development to lead the organization’s philanthropic strategy and scale fundraising efforts to ensure long-term, sustainable financial growth. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Development will oversee and lead all aspects of donor stewardship and resource development, working closely with the CEO, senior staff, Board members, and lay leaders.

The Director of Development is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that supports the JCC’s mission, values, and community priorities. Areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to, annual and special campaigns, major gifts, corporate partnerships, capital campaigns, grants, security funding initiatives, and legacy and endowment giving.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Fundraising

▪ Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic and tactical fundraising plan encompassing:

• Annual campaigns
• Capital and special campaigns
• Major and mid-level gifts
• Legacy and endowment giving
• Corporate and foundation support
• Donor stewardship initiatives
• Grant research and writing

▪ Serve as the lead staff member for development and campaign-related activities.
▪ Assess, evaluate, and report on the effectiveness and success of all development programs and initiatives, using measurable goals and outcomes.

Donor Engagement & Major Gifts

▪ Maintain, cultivate, and expand relationships with a portfolio of major donors ($5,000+).
▪ Actively participate in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, including personal major gift asks.
▪ Develop and implement strategies to identify, engage, and attract new major donors.
▪ Champion and help build a strong donor-centered culture throughout the organization.

Grant Funding & Institutional Support

▪ Research and identify public and private grant opportunities.
▪ Prepare, submit, and manage grant applications and reporting requirements.
▪ Oversee the receipt, tracking, and compliant expenditure of all awarded grant funds.

Systems, Data & Accountability

▪ Oversee daily management and integrity of the organization’s donor and financial platforms, including:

• DonorPerfect
• Bloomerang (Qgiv)
• Stripe

▪ Ensure timely, accurate tracking of donor activities, prospect strategies, and engagement histories.
▪ Oversee accountable to high standards of data accuracy, follow-up, and donor stewardship.

Collaboration & Community Engagement

▪ Collaborate with the Marketing Department to develop and implement donor communications.
▪ Work closely with Community Engagement, Older Adults, Membership, and Camp departments to plan special events that maximize philanthropic impact and strengthen donor relationships.
▪ Partner with program staff to identify prospective donors and deepen relationships.
▪ Represent JCC MetroWest at community-wide events and all JCC fundraising activities.

Additional Responsibilities

▪ Mobilize, support, and train Board members and volunteers to actively participate in fundraising efforts.
▪ Establish and staff a Development Committee to research, plan and assign prospects to committee members or staff for solicitation.
▪ Ensure donor correspondence and acknowledgments are accurate, timely, and meaningful.
▪ Uphold and model the JCC’s internal service standards of respect, kindness, teamwork, and communication.
▪ Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer.

This list of responsibilities is not intended to be exhaustive. JCC MetroWest reserves the right to revise this job description as organizational needs evolve.

Qualifications

Required

▪ Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
▪ Minimum of 5 years of experience in a significant resource development role, including 3–5 years in a senior management capacity.
▪ Experience with planned giving a plus
▪ Demonstrated success with personal solicitation of major gifts.
▪ Strong written and verbal communication skills; inspirational and persuasive communicator.
▪ Proven ability to develop and execute strategic fundraising initiatives with measurable outcomes.
▪ Grant writing and grant management experience.
▪ Strong organizational, leadership, and team management skills.
▪ Experience leading and collaborating with both professional staff and volunteers.
▪ Knowledge of and experience managing fundraising budgets.
▪ Proficiency with donor databases, prospect research tools, and fundraising technology.
▪ Strong command of Microsoft Office and ability to learn new web-based platforms.
▪ High degree of discretion with demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and data security.

Preferred

▪ Personal commitment to Jewish values and familiarity with Jewish traditions.
▪ Knowledge of the JCC movement.
▪ Candidates from related sectors (e.g., higher education, nonprofit health and human services, or public sector organizations) with sophisticated development experience are encouraged to apply.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

▪ Primarily based in a professional office environment.
▪ Availability to work evenings and weekends as required by fundraising and community events.
▪ Ability to travel locally to meetings, donor visits, and events.

Compensation & Benefits

▪ Salary: $125,000 annually
▪ Benefits include:

• Health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Free family JCC MetroWest fitness center membership
• 403(b) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off

Application Process

Qualified candidates should email a cover letter and resume to: Sandy Zwickel, Director of Human Resources, at szwickel@jccmetrowest.org.

JCC MetroWest is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.

About JCC MetroWest

JCC MetroWest has proudly served the community for over 149 years, providing inclusive educational, cultural, and recreational programming in a welcoming and supportive environment.