What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Donor Engagement position at The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington?
Inspire. Engage. Lead.
Are you a passionate relationship builder who thrives on connecting people to a meaningful mission? Do you have a proven track record in fundraising and donor engagement, with the ability to cultivate strong relationships and drive impact? If so, we invite you to step into the role of Director of Donor Engagement at Federation! This role will influence significant outcomes in:
- Relationship Building & Engagement – Strengthening connections with donors and volunteers, fostering meaningful engagement to advance Federation’s mission and vision.
- Fundraising & Stewardship – Cultivating and managing donor relationships, soliciting annual gifts ($1K-$10K ), and engaging donors in legacy conversations to drive financial resource development.
- Strategic Donor Development – Leading donor retention and acquisition efforts through a cohort-based engagement model, including small group activities, large-scale events, and immersive experiences.
- Leadership & Collaboration – Working closely with volunteer lay leaders to set strategy and oversee a development officer in executing donor engagement initiatives.
Join a passionate team where your leadership, creativity, and strategic vision will make a lasting difference. If you’re ready to inspire generosity and drive meaningful engagement, we want to hear from you!
Key Responsibilities:
Resource Development (Fundraising)
- Serve as aâ¯relationshipâ¯managerâ¯to deepen and strengthenâ¯connection with donors and prospects.
- Personally cultivates, solicits, and stewards a portfolio of donors and prospects, securing gifts and having transformational giving conversations through face-to-face solicitations
- Utilizes considerable initiative, independence, innovation, and responsibility for developing new methods and techniques for relationship building and cultivating a pipeline of prospective donors who can give at the $1K-$10K level annually.
Volunteer Partnership
- In partnership with Next Gen Co-Chairs, identity, initiate, and develop solicitation efforts, enhance current engagement initiatives, and foster opportunities for organizational and communal leadership development, including leading the Next Gen Board. Recruit, retain, and pipeline Board members through their leadership journeys in order to serve the programs and groups of Next Gen and develop their own leadership skills.
- Leads and collaborates with leadership to fulfill donor acquisition and retention goals.
- Collaborate with all lay leadership groups to form one cohesive leadership team driven towards common goals. Break down leadership silos and help lay leaders build relationships with each other.
- Work alongside lay leaders to identify, recruit, and train the next generation of leaders aligned with Federation’s inclusion and belonging principles.
Engagement Opportunities
- Works with team members to develop and implement programming, events, and immersive travel experiences that further Federation’s philanthropic goals
- Works closely with key donors and constituencies (including, but not limited to, National Young Leadership Cabinet) and with the Donor Engagement team, to develop and implement cross-organizational engagement and fundraising strategies
- Foster existing partnerships with organizations and partner agencies in the community to enhance donor experience
Team Management
- Directly manages one development officer
- Responsible for implementing and evaluating individual and team metrics on an ongoing basis to ensure that goals are being met and professional growth is fostered
- Partners with colleagues across the Development team and across the organization to enhance the philanthropic engagement and leadership development of all donors, prospects, and lay leaders
- Serve as a representative for Federation’s inclusion and belonging principles. Work towards strengthening vibrant Jewish life in Greater Washington
The above job duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work for employees in this position, but this is not intended as an exclusive or all-inclusive inventory of all duties required of employees in this job.
Background, Qualifications and Success Factors
- 6-8 years of experience in total FRD fundraising, donor engagement, customer service, sales, and relationship or account management
- Experience in management, leadership development, and mentorship and a proven record of maintaining a collegial work environment
- Strong donor-relations skills: proven ability in cultivating prospects and creating donor engagement strategies that lead to greater philanthropic support
- Demonstrated experience articulating a vision, translating it into executable strategy and driving cross-functional teams to deliver to established priorities with measurable positive impact on outcomes
- Data-driven decision-maker who is comfortable with analytics and data management
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Experience in management of membership or volunteer operations and working with volunteer committees
- First-hand knowledge of the Jewish community, its customs, and practices
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; comfortable with Customer Relationship Management software (CRM) and open to new technology
Our Commitment to Inclusion
In building our professional team, The Jewish Federation strives to model our vision of an inclusive community and vibrant future. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite and encourage applications from all candidates of all backgrounds and identities who are passionate about enhancing talent management in the Jewish community, including but not limited to women, Jews of color, Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews, people with disabilities, immigrants, LGBTQIA people, and people who come from low-income backgrounds. We know that no applicant's experience will align 100% with the listed qualifications. Don't let that hold you back! We encourage you to apply and look forward to meeting you.
Organizational Vision, Mission, and Function
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington envisions an open, connected, and vibrant Jewish community that cares for each other, fosters Jewish learning and journeys, embraces Jewish peoplehood and Israel, and acts as a force for good in the world. As a mission-driven non-profit organization, we work to inspire, build, and sustain vibrant Jewish life in a changing world by mobilizing our community in common purpose, intentional innovation, and effective action.
A People-Friendly Workplace
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington is a dynamic and collaborative workplace offering a people-friendly environment, including:
- Excellent health care and retirement benefits
- Generous vacation and sick leave
- 6 weeks paid Parental Leave after 1 year
- Commuter bonus
- Hybrid work schedule
- Opportunities for continued professional development
- Access to the JPRO Network, which connects, educates, inspires, and empowers professionals working in the Jewish nonprofit sector
Salary : $1,000 - $10,000
