American Friends of Ariel National Executive Director 

American Friends of Ariel (AFA) www.friendsofariel.org is a non-profit organization based in Boca Raton, Florida, dedicated to supporting the City of Ariel, the capital of Samaria, Israel. Ariel serves as a leader in education, industry and immigrant absorption. The city’s diversity has become a vehicle for integration between Israelis from different walks of life—new immigrants and native Israelis, secular and observant, seniors and singles. Ariel’s location and unsurpassed achievements captures the world’s attention. The city’s population, its strategic significance to Israel’s security and survival, and its contribution to Israel’s economic growth all contribute to Ariel’s consensus status as an integral part of the State of Israel.

AFA is poised for growth and global presence. The National Executive Director of AFA will be a crucial partner in the forthcoming development and success of the organization to meet the needs of the City of Ariel. The National Executive Director of AFA will have the opportunity to both manage a professional and sophisticated team as well as be a primary partner to donors and colleagues in the USA and Israel. Building and maintaining strong relationships with existing donors and strategically expanding the fundraising portfolio to support AFA’s growth is a paramount priority.

The successful candidate must be an experienced professional who is a "go-getter" and must combine sophisticated leadership with an entrepreneurial spirit. The ideal candidate will be collaborative, results-oriented, and have a clear passion for AFA’s mission and the City of Ariel. Candidates may come from a variety of backgrounds such as having held a leadership role in the corporate sector or nonprofit sector. Experience working with or serving on a Board of Directors is essential.

Position Overview:

The National Executive Director of AFA is a visionary leader who will grow the organization, building on its existing strengths and accomplishments. In this key leadership role, the National Executive Director is responsible for guiding the organization's strategic direction, fundraising and public awareness efforts, and overall operations. The National Executive Director plays a critical role in ensuring the organization's financial sustainability and expanding its impact in support of the City of Ariel’s mission. Opportunities for growth and stability of financial outcomes will be a primary responsibility for the next National Executive Director. The capital goals of AFA will be a key challenge for the next National Executive Director as the organization looks to grow its national footprint.

The National Executive Director will take a leadership role in board and volunteer development throughout the USA and will work with the National Board to develop and implement fundraising strategies in alignment with national campaigns and projects.

Position will be based in the United States, will be regularly in contact with AFA National Board and city leadership and associates in Ariel. Domestic travel required. Some international travel may be required.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive growth-oriented strategic plan to achieve the organization's mission and goals in collaboration with the AFA board.
• Provide visionary leadership to engage stakeholders and partners in advancing the AFA’s objectives.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability within the organization.
• Work effectively in partnership with AFA and the leadership of beneficiary organizations.

Fundraising and Resource Development:

• Execute fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation and stewardship, grant writing, and major gift solicitation.
• Develop and implement effective fundraising strategies to both secure existing financial support and increase funding for the organization's programs and initiatives.
• Cultivate relationships with foundations, corporations, individuals, and government agencies.
• Build and sustain the relationships and structures to execute the capital goals of AFA.
• Engage and support AFA board members in fundraising efforts.

Organizational Management:

• Lead and motivate staff to deepen their engagement with AFA and Ariel.
• Provide opportunities for staff advancement and growth.
• Provide coaching, direction, and oversight for beneficiary organizations.
• Maintain and retain a high-performance AFA team.

Program Development and Oversight:

• Work closely with the AFA and beneficiary organization boards to align programmatic initiatives with the organization's goals.
• Monitor program outcomes and impact, ensuring they align with the organization's mission and strategic priorities.
• Identify opportunities for program growth and development.
• Build awareness of AFA’s work.
• Develop partnerships with other organizations to enhance AFA fundraising and awareness.

Financial Management:

• Develop and manage the organization's annual budget.
• Ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency in financial operations.
• Monitor financial performance and report regularly to the Board of Directors.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including the AFA board members, donors, and partners.
• Represent the organization at conferences, events, and public forums to raise awareness and support for its mission.

Board Relations:

• Engage in consistent collaboration with Board leadership, ensuring they are regularly apprised of organizational performance and strategic initiatives, while also delivering regular updates to the full Board of Directors.
• Collaborate with the Board on strategic planning and policy development.
• Implement Board decisions.
• Ensure that Board committees have sufficient leadership, membership, and staff support.
• Work with the Board and leadership to:
• Identify and recruit new members and engage them in governance and fundraising activities, including working to broaden the diversity of AFA Board membership;
• Orient and onboard new board members;
• Cultivate board members for future leadership roles, providing guidance and opportunities for growth.
• Create effective board meeting agendas, incorporating input from board members and executive leadership to ensure that key topics and discussions are included to support informed decision-making.

Qualifications and Skills:

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in resource development and nonprofit management, with a focus on major gift cultivation.
• Passionate commitment to the mission and values of AFA.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and donor relations.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to translate vision into action.
• Experience working in international and/or cross-cultural settings is a plus.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in relevant software and technology.
• Entrepreneurial, creative, calm under pressure, poised, persuasive, inspires confidence.

Benefits:

• Days off for all work-prohibitive Jewish holidays, in addition to the secular US holidays
• 3pm close-of-business on Fridays
• Flexible expense account for mileage and donor meetings
• Opportunities to travel to Israel