Chief Development Officer
Administration
Maryland, USA · Newton, MA, USA · New York, NY, USA · Boston, MA, USA
USD 130k-150k / year
Posted on Aug 12, 2026
Put yourself at the intersection of history, feminism, Judaism, and social change. Help lead a dynamic team at a nonprofit working to strengthen the voices and impact of Jewish women and gender-expansive Jews. The Jewish Women’s Archive (JWA) is a global organization devoted to collecting and promoting the stories and voices of Jewish women*, to ensure a more accurate historical narrative and a more inclusive future. Founded in 1996 as an innovative online archive, JWA has become the world’s largest source of information on Jewish women and has built a wide range of leadership, online, and public programs that provide education and insight and spark conversation and change. JWA enters its fourth decade with a new, timely strategic plan to build on its strong foundation, meet the moment, and expand its impact. *JWA embraces expansive understandings of Jewishness and gender. We include Jews from all backgrounds and those who are non-binary, genderqueer, or gender-questioning. Position SummaryThe Chief Development Officer (CDO) plays a core role in JWA’s success, leading our development efforts. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, Judith Rosenbaum, the CDO will serve as a hands-on organizational leader responsible for setting and articulating a compelling fundraising strategy and executing the day-to-day management of the organization’s fundraising activities, including individual, foundation, and legacy giving. The CDO will work in close partnership with the CEO and other senior staff and build relationships with Board members, foundation officers, and individual donors to raise the $2M annual operating budget and ensure JWA’s sustainability. With a new strategic plan and a significant matching grant towards the plan’s implementation, this is an exciting time to advance JWA’s momentum and impact. Primary Responsibilities- Lead all fundraising activities for JWA, including identifying and cultivating individual and institutional prospects and managing a portfolio of major donors.- Design and implement major donor strategy to fund annual and strategic plan campaigns, including managing events to expand stakeholder base.- Support the CEO’s development efforts, including designing individual donor strategies and implementing rigorous moves management.- Develop and, in partnership with JWA’s communications staff, execute a comprehensive strategy for donor appeals and grass-roots campaigns.- Manage foundation relations and craft grant proposals and reports.- Cultivate board members as donors and networkers; manage relevant board committees such as the development committee.- Expand and enhance JWA’s planned giving program.- Oversee management of donor database, donation processing, and acknowledgments, including partnering with the COO on refining JWA’s development infrastructure as a part of the strategic plan.- Drive data analysis and benchmarking against goals.- Serve as part of JWA’s senior leadership team.- Supervise the Development & Executive assistant.- Represent JWA with local and national stakeholders. Required Skills and Experience- At least 5 years of success in senior leadership and fundraising.- Proven track record of increasing an organization’s fundraising revenue and soliciting major gifts from existing and new prospects.- Strong commitment to and passion for the mission of JWA and the ability to articulate the importance of the organization’s work to prospective and current funders.- Demonstrated ability to develop, foster, and sustain donor relationships.- Ability to work successfully with individuals at all levels within the organization, including board members, donors, and staff.- Strong oral and written communicator, including grant writing experience and excellent presentation skills.- Strong organizational, time, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, short-term needs, and long-term planning.- Fluency with digital platforms, e.g., Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, DonorPerfect (or similar CRM), grant database.- Ability and willingness to travel.- Strong attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and receptivity to feedback.- A commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and passion for social justice. Personal Qualities and Mindset- Drive to achieve results: Track record of accomplishing ambitious goals and getting results even when there are obstacles; plans backwards and involves stakeholders appropriately; manages multiple projects successfully.- Strategic thinking and implementation: Keeps the big picture in mind; defines priorities and sets goals to advance the organization as a whole; knows how to execute and track against goals.- Hands-on mindset: Comfortable as the primary development staff member and excited to be involved at all levels of the fundraising process.- Relationship-building: Enjoys working with people, collaborating with colleagues, and maintaining strong relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders; builds alliances even when interests compete.- Innovation and experimentation: Thinks outside the box and shares new ideas or approaches; welcomes new information and unfamiliar ways of thinking; entrepreneurial and willing to experiment and learn.- Kindness and generosity: Values being part of a larger team; shares ideas, welcomes feedback, offers assistance, and asks for help.- Positive attitude and sense of humor: Takes work seriously but doesn’t take self too seriously; knows when to laugh at and learn from mistakes. Salary, Benefits, and Location- Salary range: $130,000–$150,000, commensurate with experience.- Generous benefits package, including health and dental insurance, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, paid parental leave, 403(b) contribution, FSA, QTA, paid federal and Jewish holidays, professional development funding, and hybrid work model.- JWA’s office is located in Newton, MA, with a hybrid schedule. Candidates in the Boston and New York City areas are preferred, though we are open to remote candidates. JWA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter to the JWA website. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.