Inspired by the work we do every day, the JCC is an organization centered by Jewish values and focused on creating meaningful experiences and opportunities to enrich, connect, and positively impact our community.

We pride ourselves on our inclusive and welcoming workplace and celebrate the diversity of our employees.

We value all members of our team in a supportive environment in which everyone is treated with appreciation and respect and positioned to do their best work every day.

SUMMARY:

The JCC of Baltimore is seeking a visionary, relationship-centered leader to serve as its Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), a key architect of the organization’s philanthropic growth and long-term sustainability. The ideal candidate will be a strategic and inspiring advancement professional with a demonstrated record of building meaningful relationships with JCC leadership, prospective donors, and community partners to translate mission into compelling opportunities for impact. This leader will champion a comprehensive advancement strategy encompassing grants, endowment growth, governance partnership, and external collaborations. As a trusted partner to the CEO and Board, the CAO will help shape the JCC’s future by aligning fundraising strategy with the JCC’s mission and board priorities, deepening community engagement, strengthening civic and philanthropic partnerships, and ensuring the resources necessary to advance a vibrant, connected Jewish community for generations to come.

Working as part of the C-suite team, the CAO reports directly to the CEO. This role is primarily Monday through Friday year-round, with occasional evening or weekend hours required based on organizational needs, meetings, JCC and community events, emergencies, and other JCC responsibilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Development & Fundraising Leadership and Execution

• Set resource development goals in partnership with the CEO.
• Create and implement strategies for cultivating and soliciting JCC vendors, board, past chairs, corporate sponsors, and foundations.
• Lead and execute the full lifecycle of at least two annual major fundraising events, including overseeing and coordinating each event’s volunteer-led committee.
• Identify and pursue grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government sources.
  • Provide oversight and hands-on execution of the grant writing process, ensuring high-quality proposals that align with funder and JCC priorities.
  • Manage and cultivate relationships with current and prospective foundation funders.
  • Ensure timely and accurate grant reporting and compliance with funder requirements.
• Execute targeted fundraising campaigns for capital improvements and conduct high level fundraising presentations and conversations.
• Manage donor and sponsor recognition systems, including invoicing, personalized thank-you touchpoints and stewardship communications.
• Work closely with Associated development team to ensure aligned vision and strategies around Financial Resource Development
• Ensure accurate data entry in organization development platform; run development reports; and track grant payment/ completion.

Governance & Executive Leadership

• Partner closely with the CEO and Board Chair on all governance matters.
• Strengthen board engagement through meaningful agendas, strategic discussions, and structured leadership opportunities (Executive Committee, standing committees, Councils, task forces).
• Design and implement annual Board Retreat, Board self-assessments, and other mission-driven board engagement activities in consultation with leadership.
• Serve as thought partner to the Governance Chair; prepare materials, guide conversations, and ensure best-practice governance.
• Lead the annual board nomination and onboarding process with the CEO, Immediate Past Chair, Board Chair, and 1st Vice Chair.
• Plan and execute the JCC annual meeting in consultation with the Board Chair and CEO
• Conduct quarterly Past Chair meetings, ensuring insight-sharing and strategic alignment.
• Ensure newly elected board members understand their roles, expectations, and the organizational mission (orientation, onboarding, resource development).

External Relations & Strategic Partnerships

• Research and cultivate relationships with potential community partners.
• Serve as staff liaison for all large-scale community partnerships (ex. LifeBridge Health)
• Serve as JCC liaison to community business organizations including but not limited to Owings Mills Corporate Roundtable, Chambers of Commerce, etc.
• Represent the JCC on internal Associated committees and task forces as needed.
• Work with the Executive team to identify sponsorship and partnership opportunities.

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Strategic Planning & Organizational Leadership

• Participate as a senior leadership team member in organizational visioning, long-term planning, and leadership development.
• Contribute to annual budgeting on behalf of grant acquisition and renewal.
• Provide thought partnership to staff involved in leadership identification and development.
• Maintain high-functioning internal processes for events, communications, and donor engagement.
• Maintain detailed and accurate donor and sponsor files.
• Oversee acknowledgment systems and stewardship calendars.
• Ensure compliance with donor intent and privacy standards, IRS regulations for contributions, and ethical fundraising standards.
• Establish and track realistic KPIs for fundraising, board engagement, and grant outcomes.
• Work with CEO and leadership to identify emerging opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proven advancement leadership experience with at least 5 years of progressive responsibility in fundraising and resource development, including major gifts, annual and capital campaigns, special events and endowment growth, with a demonstrated record of meeting or exceeding revenue goals.
• Experience with grant making process including private foundations, corporate partners and federal, state and county government,
• Demonstrated success in cultivating and stewarding relationships with diverse donors, community partners, and civic stakeholders, with a strong track record in partnership development and cross-agency collaboration.
• Strong governance partnership skills, including experience working closely with board members and lay leadership (Chair/Vice Chair), facilitating strategic conversations and implementing best practices around governance, supporting board development, and advancing succession planning and other board-related policies.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to clearly and persuasively articulate the JCC of Baltimore’s mission and impact to varied audiences.
• Strategic thinker with experience developing and executing comprehensive fundraising plans aligned with organizational priorities and long-term sustainability.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously in a dynamic nonprofit environment.
• Collaborative leadership style characterized by integrity, accountability, adaptability, and the ability to build strong cross-functional relationships.
• Advanced financial and analytical competency, including experience with fundraising databases, data-driven decision-making, grant management, compliance oversight, and presenting clear, compelling reports to senior leadership and board members.
• Knowledge of the Baltimore Jewish Community and a passion for Jewish culture, heritage, traditions, community, and Israel
• Educational background: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE preferred.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Salary (or Salary Range): $135,000-$150,000

Benefit & Perks: The JCC offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous time off, paid holidays, health, dental and vision insurance, 401(k) employer match, FSA/HSA options, life insurance, long term disability, complimentary membership to the Jewish Community Center, discounts on programs including preschool and summer camp, and wellbeing programming.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and incumbent will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by supervisor or other management, as required. The JCC reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the needs arise. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In keeping with our Jewish values, we are dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, citizenship, veteran's status, physical or mental disability that does not prohibit the performance of essential job functions (with or without reasonable accommodation) or any other basis protected by federal, or applicable, state or local law. We welcome everyone interested in our mission to join us. If you require accommodations, please contact us and we will make every effort to meet your needs.