Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement
Build Community. Inspire Generosity. Shape the Future of Jewish Charleston
About the Jewish Federation of Greater Charleston
The Jewish Federation of Greater Charleston brings people together to build, strengthen, and sustain Jewish life throughout our community, in Israel, and around the world.
As the community's convener, connector, and catalyst, Federation invests in people, partnerships, philanthropy, education, security, and community engagement to ensure Jewish life continues to thrive for generations to come. We strengthen Jewish life by bringing people together, inspiring philanthropy, investing in our community, and building a vibrant Jewish future locally, in Israel, and around the world.
As our community continues to grow, so does the opportunity to strengthen relationships, cultivate leadership, and create meaningful pathways into Jewish life. We believe authentic relationships build strong communities—and that philanthropy is inspired by trust, belonging, and shared purpose.
This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the next chapter of Jewish Charleston. This role is designed for a talented relationship-builder who is excited to make an immediate impact while growing professionally alongside a dynamic and evolving Federation. As the organization continues to expand, there will be opportunities for increased responsibility, leadership, and professional growth.
Why Charleston?
Charleston offers the rare opportunity to build a meaningful career while enjoying an exceptional quality of life.
Rich in history, culture, and coastal beauty, Charleston is home to one of America's oldest Jewish communities and one of its fastest growing. The Greater Charleston Jewish community is welcoming, collaborative, and increasingly diverse, spanning historic downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, Summerville, Johns Island, and the surrounding Lowcountry.
Joining the Jewish Federation of Greater Charleston means becoming part of an organization that is investing in the future of Jewish life through innovation, collaboration, and community-building.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement is a relationship-centered professional responsible for helping individuals and families deepen their connection to the Jewish Federation and the broader Jewish community.
Working in close partnership with the CEO, this position offers meaningful responsibility from day one, ongoing professional development, and the opportunity to assume increasing leadership and responsibility as both the individual and the Federation continue to grow.
The Director will manage a portfolio of annual campaign donors, create meaningful programs and engagement opportunities, cultivate volunteers and lay leaders, and strengthen relationships with community and business partners.
Across each area of responsibility, the Director will focus on one central goal: working with the CEO to build trusted relationships that lead to deeper engagement, volunteer leadership, community investment, and philanthropy.
The ideal candidate is passionate about building authentic relationships and helping people connect more deeply to Jewish life. She/he is an articulate communicator who can inspire generosity by clearly communicating Federation's mission, impact, and vision for the future, while making a compelling case for philanthropic investment.
Primary Responsibilities
Philanthropy & Donor Relationships
In collaboration with the CEO, strengthen Federation's Annual Community Campaign by cultivating authentic relationships that inspire generosity and strengthen Jewish life.
Responsibilities include:
• Manage and grow a portfolio of annual campaign donors and prospective supporters.
• Help conduct donor visits, stewardship meetings, and annual solicitations.
• Cultivate sponsorship opportunities and corporate partnerships that support Federation initiatives.
• Partner with the CEO to identify, cultivate, and transition prospective major gift donors.
• Maintain accurate donor information, relationship activity, and moves management within the CRM.
• Support campaign volunteers and peer-to-peer fundraising efforts.
• Help foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization and community.
Community Engagement, Programs & Events
Develop and implement a year-round engagement strategy that increases Federation’s visibility, brings people together, and creates meaningful pathways into Jewish life.
Responsibilities include:
• Build relationships with individuals and families across generations and throughout Greater Charleston.
• Welcome newcomers and connect them with relevant Jewish communal opportunities.
• Develop and manage a consistent calendar of meaningful Federation programs, events, and engagement opportunities.
• Plan and execute community programs, campaign events, donor stewardship experiences, educational opportunities, and volunteer gatherings.
• Collaborate with volunteers, community partners, marketing, and operations to deliver high-quality experiences.
• Ensure programs and events advance Federation’s mission, strategic priorities, and relationship-building goals.
• Manage and support key Federation engagement programs, including PJ Library and Jewish overnight camp initiatives, overseeing day-to-day administration, participant communication, outreach, and coordination with national partners.
• Use thoughtful follow-up to help participants move toward deeper engagement, volunteerism, leadership, and philanthropy.
• Measure success through relationships built and deepened, community participation, volunteer engagement, donor cultivation, sponsorship growth, and overall impact—not attendance alone.
Volunteer Leadership, Affinity Groups & Community Partnerships
Partner with lay leaders and community organizations to expand Federation’s reach and create meaningful opportunities for engagement, leadership, and philanthropy.
Responsibilities include:
• Recruit, engage, develop, and steward volunteers and lay leaders.
• Support and strengthen current priorities, including Women’s Philanthropy and young-family engagement.
• Help identify and cultivate future campaign and engagement affinity groups based on evolving community interests and needs.
• Continue and sustain collaborative relationships with synagogues, Jewish agencies, schools, businesses, civic organizations, foundations, and other community partners.
• Develop strategic partnerships and sponsorship opportunities that extend Federation’s reach, increase its impact, and support programs and initiatives.
• Help lay the groundwork for future engagement models, including a Federation Connectors initiative that broadens peer-to-peer connection and community belonging.
• Represent Federation with professionalism, warmth, integrity, and enthusiasm while strengthening its role as the convener and connector of Jewish life throughout Greater Charleston.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate is an energetic relationship builder who combines warmth with professionalism, initiative with accountability, and creativity with disciplined execution.
Qualifications include:
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Three or more years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas: fundraising, philanthropy, advancement, community engagement, relationship management, nonprofit leadership, higher education, hospitality, sales, marketing, or another relationship-driven field. Fundraising experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated success building authentic relationships and engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Relevant experience working with volunteers, donors, community organizations, or membership-based organizations is highly desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Familiarity with Jewish communal life is preferred; passion for strengthening Jewish community is essential.
Core Competencies:
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
• Relationship Building: Builds authentic relationships that inspire trust, engagement, and long-term commitment.
• Initiative & Ownership: A proactive self-starter who identifies opportunities, takes ownership, and follows through with excellence.
• Professional Judgment & Maturity: Exercises sound judgment, navigates ambiguity with confidence, balances competing priorities, and collaborates effectively with volunteer leaders, donors, board members, and community stakeholders.
• Organization & Execution: Manages multiple priorities, meets deadlines, and consistently delivers high-quality work with attention to detail.
• Results Orientation: Sets clear priorities, follows through on commitments, measures success, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes.
• Communication & Influence: Communicates with clarity, warmth, diplomacy, and professionalism while representing Federation with credibility.
• Inspiring Communication: Communicates with clarity, authenticity, and enthusiasm while effectively articulating Federation's mission, impact, and the case for philanthropic investment.
• Resilience & Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic environment, remains composed under pressure, adapts to changing priorities, and approaches challenges with optimism and flexibility.
• Community & Philanthropic Mindset: Believes meaningful engagement and meaningful philanthropy strengthen one another and is passionate about helping people find their place in Jewish life.
Our Culture:
At the Jewish Federation of Greater Charleston, we believe strong communities are built by working together.
We are relationship-driven, collaborative, entrepreneurial, and committed to excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
We value people who lead with curiosity, embrace accountability, communicate openly, and consistently follow through on commitments. We believe trust is earned through integrity, professionalism, responsiveness, and respect.
Jewish communal work is meaningful, dynamic, and often complex. Success requires thoughtful judgment, adaptability, resilience, and the ability to navigate competing priorities, multiple perspectives, and diverse stakeholder relationships while keeping our mission at the center of every decision.
We hold ourselves to high standards, embrace accountability, work with one another, continually learn and improve, and recognize that every interaction is an opportunity to strengthen our community.
Compensation & Benefits:
Salary: $85,000–$90,000, commensurate with experience.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Charleston is committed to investing in its people and fostering a culture where talented professionals can grow and thrive.
The successful candidate will receive ongoing professional development opportunities, mentoring, and access to the extensive learning resources available through the Jewish Federation system.
Benefits include:
• Retirement savings plan with up to a 3% employer match
• Generous paid time off, including Jewish holidays
• Professional development and continuing education support
• Flexible work arrangements, where appropriate
• Opportunity to help shape a growing organization and make a lasting impact on Jewish life
As part of the Federation's long-term organizational strategy, we are actively working toward expanding our employee benefits package, including employer-sponsored health insurance, as the organization continues to grow.
What Success Looks Like:
Within the first 12–18 months, the primary focus of this role will be to strengthen annual campaign efforts, deepen community engagement, cultivate volunteer leadership, and build meaningful relationships that inspire philanthropy and long-term connection to Jewish life. Success will be demonstrated by:
• Building trusted relationships with a portfolio of annual campaign donors, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners.
• Leading meaningful community engagement programs, events, and stewardship experiences.
• Strengthening Women's Philanthropy and young-family engagement while identifying opportunities to expand future affinity groups.
• Expanding volunteer leadership and meaningful pathways for community members to engage with Federation.
• Developing new sponsorships and strategic partnerships that strengthen Federation's impact and visibility.
• Becoming a visible and trusted ambassador for the Federation throughout Greater Charleston.
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to Tair Giudice, Chief Executive Officer, at tair.giudice@jewishcharleston.org . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.