ABOUT THE SYNAGOGUE: TEMPLE SHOLOM OF CHICAGO

Temple Sholom of Chicago, founded in 1867, is a community of historical significance with a dynamic and modern approach to Reform Judaism. The temple is located in the heart of Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood and includes 1,000+ diverse households.

Our welcoming community continues to be a force for good in the areas of inclusion, education, and social justice. We are proud of our thriving preschool (Gan Shalom), innovative religious school & adult education classes, wide-ranging community programming and social events, our beautiful High Holy Day & Shabbat Services, as well as our meaningful social justice initiatives through Sholom Justice. We strive to be a light to all, to be active in the Chicago community and nationally, and to live out our Shema Statement as “a sacred community that embraces, inspires and matters.”

ABOUT THE POSITION: DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

Temple Sholom seeks a dynamic professional to serve as our Development Associate. The Development Associate serves as a central source of connection at Temple Sholom. This front-facing role works closely with clergy – especially the Senior Rabbi – and staff, board members and lay leaders to create meaningful opportunities for connection, steward & deepen relationships, and drive investment in Temple Sholom.

The role has many opportunities for professional growth and learning through internal and external training, and networking with professionals in similar positions.

This position requires a flexible work schedule beyond traditional business hours.

KEY RESPONSIBLITIES:

Leadership

• Embody a growth mindset - see the big picture, take initiative, and seek creative and innovative ways to enhance Temple Sholom’s development initiatives, while ensuring that this work contributes to the congregation’s mission to embrace, inspire, matter.
• Provide assistance, guidance, training, and feedback to ensure that staff and lay leaders are equipped to execute development initiatives that reflect Temple Sholom’s voice and values.
• Support staff and lay leaders in efforts to create opportunities to engage with individuals and groups who are not necessarily active at the temple, with the goal of building connection and stewarding member relationships.

Development Strategy & Implementation of Initiatives

• Work closely with lay leaders, the Senior Rabbi and other Clergy, and Executive Director to devise and implement fundraising strategy and outreach initiatives.
• Plan, promote and implement Temple Sholom’s Annual Fund campaign. Collaborate with volunteer Development Committee to solicit Annual Fund donations of more than $1,000+ through direct outreach to donors. Train volunteers and staff to be effective solicitors & stewards.
• Support individual initiatives – including Temple Sholom’s annual Distinguished Speakers Series – and ensure that donors are appropriately recognized.
• Participate in temple related and outside community events to meet & engage prospective donors and steward existing donors. Identify and cultivate prospective donors, volunteers, and new organizational lay leaders.

Data Management

• Work with the Administrative & Member Services and Financial Services departments to ensure accurate, timely and secure collection/storage of donor and prospect information, as well as gift entry and acknowledgement.
• Track donations against annual budget goals and, in conjunction with Financial Services staff, reconcile monthly donations.
• Maintain member and giving data in Temple Sholom’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, ShulCloud.
• Analyze giving data to inform stewardship, outreach, and specific development initiatives.

Other Duties As Required

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• One to five years of progressive experience in a non-profit development function, preferably in a faith-based or community setting, including involvement with various modes of fundraising (i.e., Annual Giving, Major Gifts and Planned Giving).
• Customer service experience and engagement with clients, donors, and volunteers.
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines while balancing multiple projects & initiatives.
• High school diploma or equivalent; undergraduate degree in communications, marketing, non-profit management, business, or similar field a plus.
• Experience using a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform (e.g., Shulcloud, Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge).
• Familiarity with Reform Judaism, Jewish education, and/or Jewish communal life in Chicago a plus.
• Must bring a positive attitude and enjoy working within a small, mission & results driven community-oriented organization.

SKILLS

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including staff, board members, lay leaders, congregants, external partners, and donors.
• Self-starter with strong administrative and organizational skills, a high level of attention to detail and effective time & resource management.
• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to be effective independently.
• Creative thinker who can envision new possibilities in all areas of development.
• Event planning skills a plus.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook & Teams; along with a willingness and capacity to learn new systems and software as necessary.
• Experience and skill with current and emerging social media and outreach platforms, such as Constant Contact, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

To be considered for this position, please submit a COVER LETTER and RESUME, along with SALARY REQUIREMENTS, to:

Jeremy Perlin

Executive Director

Temple Sholom of Chicago

E-Mail: jeremy@sholomchicago.org

NO PHONE CALLS + FOR FULL CONSIDERATION, CANDIDATES MUST INCLUDE A COVER LETTER.