The Development Director serves as the JCC’s chief fundraising strategist and philanthropic leader. This role is responsible for securing $2M annually in unrestricted support and preparing the successful launch of a separate $4.5M two-year campaign. The Director will oversee a streamlined team focused on annual giving, data management, and donor stewardship. With the organization facing a $10M capital deficit and a $2.5M annual shortfall, this position is pivotal to the JCC’s long-term sustainability and impact.

This is a unique opportunity for a bold, data-driven, and relationship-centered professional to lead transformational fundraising in a community with shifting donor dynamics and high expectations for excellence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

· Develop and implement a 3–5 year comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes:

o Securing $1.5M+ annually in operating funds

o Launching and managing a $4.5M campaign over two years—separate from annual giving—focused on programmatic areas, capital, and mission-based investment

o Strengthening donor pipelines across individual, foundation, and institutional sources

· Work closely with the CEO, Board, and senior team to align development efforts with organizational priorities

· Define and track performance metrics to monitor progress and report to leadership

Major Gifts & Donor Stewardship

· Personally manage a portfolio of 50-75 top prospects and donors giving at the $2,500+ level.

· Secure $350-$500k annually in major gifts, building toward multi-year and legacy commitments

· Lead donor engagement strategies, including:

o Customized cultivation and stewardship plans

o Executive-level solicitations with support from the CEO and Board

o Quarterly touchpoints, briefings, and exclusive donor experiences

· Design and manage a Donor Recognition Program:

o Tiered levels for annual and campaign gifts

o Naming opportunities, private events, and personalized acknowledgments

o Recognition across digital, print, and on-site platforms

Grant Strategy & Oversight

· Lead the identification, cultivation, and submission of foundation, government, and corporate grants

o Maintain a pipeline of 15+ active opportunities per quarter

o Secure $500K+ annually in restricted and unrestricted grant funding

· Oversee the grant lifecycle: research, writing, budget alignment, compliance, and reporting

Team Management, Data Oversight & Infrastructure

· Supervise one or more direct reports and provide guidance, training and support.

Qualifications

· 3-5 years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, with emphasis on major gifts

· Proven ability to secure major gifts and manage high-value donor relationships

· Strategic thinker with experience managing multi-year campaigns and complex portfolios

· Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to mentor staff and collaborate cross-functionally

· Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

· Familiarity with donor management software (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge)

· Understanding of Jewish communal values and a deep respect for diverse community traditions preferred

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Non-Profit Administration, Business Administration, Communications or similar field. Master’s Degree in fundraising is a plus.

Other Requirements:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to:

· Sit for periods of time

· Use of computer keyboard

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform within the described work disabilities to perform within the described work environment.

Normal office environment