Director of Development
Akiva School & Kehilla Upper School — Nashville
Role Summary
The Director of Development leads fundraising strategy and donor engagement for Akiva School (K–6) and Kehilla Upper School (7–12). This role is responsible for increasing philanthropic support, expanding the major donor base, cultivating and retaining donors through stewardship, and preparing the schools for endowment campaigns.
This role serves as part of the leadership team and is measured by fundraising growth, major gift development, and long-term philanthropic capacity.
About the Schools
Akiva School is a Kindergarten through 6th-grade Jewish day school committed to excellence in both General and Judaic Studies. The school provides students with rich opportunities to learn, explore, and shape their identities as Jews and Americans. Within a nurturing yet rigorous environment, Akiva fosters intellectual curiosity, deep Jewish commitment, and strong moral character.
Kehilla Upper School of Nashville is an inclusive and growing institution grounded in Jewish values. Its mission is to cultivate engaged learners and passionate leaders who strive to contribute to something greater than themselves. Embracing a pluralistic ethos, Kehilla is building an innovative model of Jewish secondary education in Nashville.
Together, these schools are central pillars of Jewish life and education in the Nashville community. The Director of Development will play a key leadership role in advancing these schools, including preparing for, and potentially leading, a major capital campaign to support facilities, endowment, and programmatic initiatives.
The Three Core Objectives
1. Grow Annual Philanthropy
Own and drive the annual fundraising program across both schools. Bring a data-driven insight-led approach.
Success Metrics:
- Increase annual campaign revenue from $1.2MIL → $1.5MIL (Akiva + Kehilla)
- Increase average gift size to $500
- Increase size of Annual campaign donor pool
- Increase number of Legacy donors (88-100)
- Increase the number of $5K+ donors
- Build positive relationships throughout Jewish greater Nashville and Middle, TN
2. Build and Close a Major Gift Pipeline
Develop relationships that lead to transformational gifts.
Success Metrics:
- Build a portfolio of 75–125 qualified donor prospects
- Secure 10–15 new major gifts annually ($10K+)
- Cultivate lead donors capable of $50K–$250K+ gifts
The Director personally manages high-capacity donors and partners with the Head of School and Board members on major solicitations.
3. Cultivate / Lead the growth of the Endowment
Strengthen infrastructure and relationships to support long-term growth.
Success Metrics:
- Identify lead prospects
- Develop a compelling case for support
- Build an endowment leadership committee
What the Role Does Not Primarily Do:
The Director should not spend the majority of time on:
- Running small events
- Managing marketing
- Processing gifts
- Updating databases
These functions should be supported administratively.
Ideal Time Allocation:
- 50% — Donor meetings
- 25% — Donor cultivation & strategy
- 15% — Board & leadership engagement
- 10% — Campaign strategy
Reporting Structure
This position reports to the Head of School for Akiva and works closely with the Board Chair and board members leading development for the respective schools.
Compensation:
Base Salary - $125,000-$135,000, commensurate with experience. Competitive benefit package offered.
Candidate Profile
- A natural relationship builder
- Comfortable and confident in asking for major gifts
- AI demonstrated fluency
- Deep CRM experience
- Strategic in managing and growing donor relationships
- Connected (or able to quickly connect) within Nashville’s philanthropic community
- Experienced in working with board-level and high-capacity donors
Experience in Jewish nonprofit organizations is helpful but not required; what matters most is a strong understanding of mission-driven fundraising and the ability to translate vision into philanthropic support.