Senior Development Officer

About the Senior Development Officer position:

The Senior Development Officer (SDO) is a high-profile role working with some of the Federation’s highest-level donors and most senior lay people. The SDO is accountable for generating new and increased current and deferred gifts that support the Federation and its programs, matching the philanthropic interests of identified donors with the mission and goals of Federation. In addition, over time, the Senior Development Officer will manage a small portfolio of Supporting Foundations.

The full-time SDO is an integral part of the Federation’s senior development team. Reporting to the Managing Director, Philanthropic Planning, the SDO will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts (current and deferred) prospects, primarily focusing on endowment gifts for the Federation; initiating, maintaining, and growing these relationships to maximize their long-term value and benefit to the Federation. The SDO will communicate with and steward donors throughout the year developing creative opportunities to acknowledge their support. The SDO will also maintain a portfolio of prospects for the Campaign for Jewish Needs and solicit current gifts for high priority projects. The SDO will marshal the varied resources and diverse talents of Federation’s Board, staff, lay leaders, volunteers, and friends to achieve Development goals by bringing in new business.

Essential Functions:

1. Successfully fundraise for current, supplemental, and future gifts for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland
• Work with department leadership and other Development Officers to identify opportunities for Major Gifts inclusive of all opportunities available to Federation donors and develop a pipeline for future major gift prospects.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward a group of high priority prospects, taking into account their individual desires and interests as well as the community’s needs and priorities, creating customized solicitation strategies based on strategic objectives of the Federation and the interests of the donor. Contacts and/or meets with 12 to 15 donors per month, with the majority of those contacts being in the form of face-to-face meetings.
2. Develop strategic direction and plan for own work, as well as recommend strategies for achieving the overall development goals of Federation.
3. Serve as the staff liaison for each assigned donor prospect, ensuring that each donor‘s development plan encompasses the broad spectrum of Federation activity and that each donor is provided with technical planning and fiscal support in the creation and implementation of their plans. Work collaboratively with other members of the Federation staff, lay leaders, professional advisors, Federation partner agencies and synagogues to ensure the best outcome for the donor and the community.
4. Maintain a portfolio of major gifts individuals (e.g. 100 prospects for gifts of $10,000 or higher) and sustain a program of donor stewardship activities. Monitor all contacts with assigned prospects to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations.
5. Prepare timely interaction notes and other appropriate progress reports and maintain accurate records of donor activity.
6. Conduct prospect research as needed.
7. Solicit both current and deferred major gifts with a primary focus on endowment gifts.
8. Adhere to the highest ethical standards, with a commitment to excellence.
9. Participate in the implementation of the Federation’s development plan.
10. Maintain a working knowledge of current tax laws, investments and planned giving opportunities; use knowledge in prospect cultivation and solicitation.
11. Keep abreast of institutional and communal priorities and programs.
12. Participate in special events, recognition and stewardship programs as appropriate.
13. Write acknowledgement letters as needed to enhance relationships with donors. Write or assist in drafting proposals, newsletters, brochures, pamphlets and other materials as necessary.
14. Assist with publicity arrangements on important gifts, programs, accomplishments or events.
15. Support and enhance Federation’s presence with its many constituencies, promoting a collaborative, donor focused approach to development.
16. Participate in ongoing professional development.
17. Articulate the value of supporting the goals and mission of Jewish Federation of Cleveland, as well as priority programs
18. Perform Solicitations and Assignments to Execute Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs.
• Perform Campaign Solicitations
• Serve as Campaigner Manager and work with lay solicitors

Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

1. Extensive knowledge of fundraising principles and techniques.
2. Ability to produce tangible fundraising results in a goal-oriented environment, including successful track record of closing current and/or deferred major gifts in the six-and seven-figure range.
3. Excellent research, writing and interpersonal communication skills with a high level of emotional intelligence.
4. Accomplished oral and written communication and presentation skills.
5. Ability to empathize with donors, clearly communicate our organization's mission, and effortlessly move from high-level strategic thinking to frontline solicitation.
6. An understanding of and ability to articulate the accomplishments and goals of a complex organization.
7. The intelligence, maturity and sound judgement necessary for interacting with major donor prospects, trustees and staff.
8. Ability to mentor other fundraising staff.
9. Proficiency in database systems.
10. Knowledge of the Jewish community, culture, and traditions.
11. Ability to work well with diverse population.
12. Travel and the ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary.
13. Strong commitment to the Federation’s mission and an ability to interpret this mission. Knowledgeable about the Jewish community, culture and traditions.
14. Ability to understand the needs and interests of leadership, high net worth individuals and major gift donors to develop relationships between them and the Federation; ability to be both analytical and relationship oriented in approach. Ability to work successfully with lay leaders.
15. Ability to operate independently and deal effectively and persuasively with senior leadership.
16. Ability to combine “big picture” thinking with attention to detail and absolute reliability.
17. Successful experience in making cold calls as well as developing cultivation and solicitation strategies.
18. Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated record of completing assignments.

Education, Training and/or Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in related field, master’s degree preferred.
2. At least five years of development experience, including major gift development.
3. A demonstrated record of successfully closing gifts of $10,000+.
4. Experience managing staff.
5. Experience designing and executing donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
6. Experience with Jewish communal work, fundraising and development, and non-profit organizations.
7. Thorough background in fundraising best practices and donor databases for managing donor and solicitation records.

About the Federation:

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland is the only organization in Cleveland that focuses on the health and vitality of the entire Jewish community. For more than 115 years, the Federation has created the critical scale necessary to drive meaningful social change and provide relief in times of crisis in ways no one person or organization could do alone. As Jewish Cleveland’s hub for innovative solutions and collaborative services, the Federation is able to change and improve lives in Cleveland, Israel, and around the world.

If you are qualified and interested in this exceptional opportunity, please send your resume and cover letter, and apply here.