Director of Development & Stewardship

Director of Development & Stewardship

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to Executive Director and International Director (Sr. Leadership), the Director of Development & Stewardship will assume substantial responsibility for the fundraising efforts of the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning.  In conjunction with Sr. Leadership, they will create and implement a strategic and comprehensive annual resource development and stewardship plan that engages donors of all levels and utilizes different modes of solicitation (e.g. face-to-face, phone, crowdfunding, mailings, events, email).  In this key role, the Director of Development & Stewardship is part of the organization’s management team.  They are supported by the Operations Administrator- Executive and Development.

The Director of Development & Stewardship will specifically be responsible for:

1. Major Donors, Foundations, and Prospects

• Develop and manage portfolios of major gift prospects, providing strategic guidance for cultivation efforts by Sr. Leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Collaborate with Sr. Leadership to conceptualize and develop funding opportunities for major gifts that align with the organization's mission and strategic goals.
• Work closely with donors and stakeholders to understand their interests and craft personalized giving opportunities that inspire significant investments in Melton’s work.
• Manage the process of developing relationships with foundations and pursuing grant funding opportunities.

1. Annual Campaign

• Develop campaign theme, communication strategy and implementation plan for annual campaign.
• Work across departments, especially Travel and Online Learning, to ensure cohesive strategies around relationship building and fundraising.
• Build relationships with current small and mid-level donors to increase the size and/or frequency of their giving.
• Develop and implement annual process for soliciting lapsed donors.
• Identify donors with larger annual gift capacity to transition relationship to Sr. Leadership or Board of Directors

• Marketing & Communications
• Regularly communicate with donors to provide updates on impact of their contributions including through built-in communications methods, social media, etc.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to develop and execute effective donor communications and marketing materials including annual campaign collateral, annual reports, thank you letters, brochures, case for support, etc.
• Create targeted messaging for different donor segments, including personalized appeals, stewardship reports, and updates on program impact.
• Work with the communications team to ensure consistent brand messaging across all channels, all aimed at attracting and retaining donors to achieve fundraising goals

1. Development Committee/Board of Directors

• Support the Sr. Leadership in activating the Board of Directors as ambassadors for fundraising through strategy sessions, committee work, and training, as needed, to develop a culture of philanthropy
• Be a resource for board members to turn to with questions, requests, and suggestions.
• Serve as staff liaison to Development Committee, overseeing board and volunteer efforts around fundraising.
• In partnership with Development Co-Chairs, set calendar of Development Committee meetings, determine annual goals and recruit new committee members

1. Stewardship & Gift Processing

• Serve as an influential philanthropic leader for the organization, implementing exceptional donor stewardship strategies. 
• Plan annual donor appreciation events and oversee other donor stewardship efforts such as birthday cards and personalized communication
• Work with Operations Administrator- Executive and Development to oversee gift processing, database management and all formal stewardship letters. Also, help to ensure that accurate and confidential donor records are properly maintained.
• Respond to donor requests, comments, and inquiries.

1. Melton’s Legacy Society

• Work on developing and implementing strategies and marketing plan for promoting legacy giving.
• Coordinate 1-on-1 conversations with prospects.
• Develop and implement Legacy donor stewardship.

To be successful in this position, you will bring:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to craft compelling and persuasive donor communications and marketing materials that resonate with potential donors.
• Excellent interpersonal and listening skills to work effectively and collaboratively with staff and lay leaders, as well as the ability to build relationships with diverse donors.
• Strategic thinking ability to identify challenges and opportunities and develop creative solutions to meet fundraising goals.
• Proven skills in managing several competing priorities and complex issues creatively and effectively. This may include long-range strategic fundraising, donor development, and volunteer engagement alongside day-to-day operations.
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and as a team leader training and directing staff and volunteers.
• Cultural competency across the denominational spectrum of Jewish life.
• Deep commitment to the vision and mission of the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, with the ability to serve as a passionate, compelling professional spokesperson and ambassador for the organization.
• A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years professional experience in fundraising required. Ideally the candidate has served in several different fundraising capacities, working on annual campaigns, major gifts development, foundation relationships/grants and legacy giving.
• Character Qualities: Accountable, Organized, Creative, Flexible, Loyal, Enthusiastic, Dependable, Disciplined, Diligent
• Technical Skills: Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and donor database software

The Director of Development is a full-time position that can be done remotely.  Salary range is $100,000-$130,000 and will be commensurate with experience.   Benefits include health insurance, 403b, and time off for major Jewish and U.S. holidays.  To apply, please email [email protected] with letter of interest and resume.

About Melton:

The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning engages adult learners in a life-enhancing study of Jewish texts and ideas that nurtures and deepens Jewish community worldwide. Through classes (both in-person and online) and travel seminars, Melton learners find Jewish texts and ideas accessible and relevant to their lives. They become part of a worldwide movement of committed learners who are empowered to enrich Jewish life.

Melton is the largest pluralistic adult Jewish education network in the world, with over 40 Melton communities throughout the United States, Canada, and South Africa. More than 50,000 learners have experienced Melton’s professionally developed curriculum and lively interactive classes.

Inventor and activist Florence Zacks Melton z”l (1911-2007) envisioned The Florence Melton Institute in 1986 as a project of the Melton Centre at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She sought to bring to life a comprehensive and sophisticated program of Jewish learning for adults.   Melton attributes its values of accessibility, open-mindedness, integrity, community, and innovation to her enduring vision.

Melton’s main offices are in Jerusalem and New York City.   Our team culture is collaborative, dedicated, flexible, thoughtful, fun, and mission driven.