Reconstructing Judaism seeks a highly motivated, relationship-driven, Vice President for Strategic Advancement (VPSA). Reporting to the Executive Vice President, this role requires a visionary leader who will work collaboratively as part of our senior leadership team to set development and communication strategies for the organization, lead and inspire a high-performing advancement team, achieve growth-focused development and communication goals, and report to Board and stakeholders on strategy, activity, metrics, and results. As a member of the organization’s President’s Cabinet, this professional will work with the President/CEO, Board of Governors, and other senior leadership to increase funding and constituent engagement to collectively implement the mission of the organization. Reconstructing Judaism currently has an annual operating budget of $5 million, over 60% of which comes from philanthropic support from individual and institutional donors.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
FUNDRAISING AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (75%)
• Design, implement, and lead a comprehensive and sustainable development strategy within co-created budget parameters to increase philanthropic revenue through diversified revenue streams, including individual and institutional donors.
• Expand Reconstructing Judaism’s areas of giving, including endowment, foundation and legacy giving.
• Lead the day-to-day operations of the development department, including assessing and adjusting systems and tools toward greater efficiency and effectiveness.
• Identify and secure new donors at all levels.
• Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects.
• Provide strong thought partnership to the President/CEO; support and leverage the President/CEO in fundraising opportunities.
• Proactively work with members of the Board of Governors to maximize their potential as connectors, ambassadors, stewards and solicitors.
• Serve as lead professional for the Board’s Development Committee and report regularly to the Board of Governors on development activities and results.
• Build the infrastructure necessary to create and instill a culture of philanthropy within the organization. Ensure that philanthropy and fundraising best practices are integrated into all aspects of Reconstructing Judaism’s work.
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS (25%)
• Amplify Reconstructing Judaism’s work and impact by developing and implementing strategies to capture and share powerful stories from within the Reconstructionist movement, including affiliated communities, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, our digital platforms and other key programs and initiatives.
• Create and execute a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy that encompasses Reconstructing Judaism’s distinctive identity, vision, and values and ensures all branding and messaging across organizational platforms align with Reconstructing Judaism’s mission and goals.
• Guide and oversee the work of a small, in-house communications team as well as external consultants responsible for social media strategy, media relations, print, audio and video communications to engage constituents and expand our reach.
• Use data and analytics to measure the effectiveness of marketing and communications and adjust strategies as needed.
• Provide leadership and guidance, in collaboration with outside consultants when appropriate, during times of crisis.
• Work closely with other departments to ensure a cohesive and unified communication, marketing, and brand strategy approach, with particular focus on increasing the impact of programs and initiatives and maximizing earned revenue.
EXPERIENCE, COMPETENCIES, AND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES
• 5 years of Development leadership and management experience including motivating and holding teams accountable.
• Proven success in setting and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies: annual and transformational campaigns, major giving, endowment giving, program-specific donor contributions, and foundation support.
• Demonstrated track record of identifying, engaging, and securing five and six-figure gifts; managing major donors and foundations; and building multi-year pipelines toward strategic revenue goals.
• Superb interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to inspire and build relationships with diverse constituents as well as internal staff and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of trends in prospect identification, donor relationships, and research.
• Enthusiasm for the mission and vision of Reconstructing Judaism.
• Ability to articulate and demonstrate Reconstructionist Judaism’s distinctiveness and approach.
• Familiarity with fundraising systems and the current philanthropic landscape, especially within the Jewish communal sphere.
• Experience and success in overseeing various aspects of strategic communications, including marketing, social media, writing, media relations, crisis communications, and video production.
• Commitment to social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Ability to take initiative, self-motivate, track multiple concurrent tasks and projects, and to respond to changing needs as required.
• Ability to “manage up” in helping to leverage the President and CEO’s effectiveness as a fundraiser.
• Ability to balance competing priorities, to balance management responsibilities with other tasks, and to meet critical deadlines.
• Willingness to travel as needed for this role (up to 10%)
We know that many people – particularly those from historically marginalized groups – don’t apply for jobs unless they meet all listed qualifications. As an organization committed to diversity, if many of the qualifications listed above apply to you (even if not all of them), we still want to hear from you.
Benefits:
We offer excellent benefits including health insurance, 401(k), generous paid vacation and sick time, and ample time off for major Jewish and American holidays. We offer a family-friendly, dynamic, and progressive workplace.
This is a full-time, exempt, benefit-eligible position.
Salary:
$115,000- $130,000, commensurate with credentials and relevant leadership/management experience.
Location/Travel:
This is a hybrid position, with a combination of onsite and remote work. Those who live outside of the Greater Philadelphia area and are unable to relocate may also be considered.
To Apply:
Please send cover letter and resume demonstrating your alignment with the role and the required competencies/experience to [email protected]. Submissions without these items cannot be considered. No phone calls please.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We encourage those interested in applying to do so as soon as possible.
Diversity is a core value of our organization. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to economic, social, and racial justice. We do not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected classes.
About Us:
Reconstructing Judaism is the central organization of the Reconstructionist movement. We train the next generation of rabbis, support and uplift congregations and havurot, foster emerging expressions of Jewish life, and encourage people to be their best selves — always helping to shape what it means to be Jewish today and to imagine the Jewish future.
Reconstructionists approach Judaism — and life — with deep consideration of the past and a passion to relate it to the present. We have originated many of the core innovations of today’s Judaism and lead efforts to make our congregations and havurot even more groundbreaking, inclusive and relevant.