Development Director

J. The Jewish News of Northern California has been serving the Jewish community for 130 years. We are in growth mode, winning over 15 national and local journalism awards this year alone and increasing revenue year over year. J.’s deep community relationships with over 2,500 individual donors giving an average gift of $300 per year fuel our annual budget of $2.8M.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a dynamic, strategic and relationship-driven Development Director to lead our fundraising efforts. You will be joining a staff of 20, including a full-time Development Associate who you will supervise.

You will be responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive development strategy that sustains our mission and fuels our growth. We believe the right person can increase individual and foundation giving by 10%-20% over the next five years.

The ideal candidate understands the specific nuances of the Bay Area Jewish community and possesses the interpersonal skills to engage multi-generational donors alongside the analytic rigor of data-driven campaign management.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Work closely with the CEO and Board Development Committee to develop and implement an annual fundraising plan to meet or exceed revenue goals through annual individual giving, major gifts, grants and legacy giving.
• Major Donor Cultivation: Manage a portfolio of high-net-worth prospects. You will build authentic relationships with and solicit these donors, and support the CEO and board members to develop these relationships and connect their passions to our impact.
• Quarterly Campaigns: Oversee our quarterly fundraising campaigns with the support of the development associate.
• Grant Management: Oversee the grant lifecycle, from prospecting through reporting
• Events & Community Engagement: Lead the strategy for cultivation events that resonate with a Bay Area audience.
• Board Partnership: Act as the primary liaison to the Board Development Committee, empowering Board members to become effective ambassadors and solicitors.
• Internal Management: Supervise the full-time development associate and engage as a member of the senior management team.

Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years of professional fundraising experience, with a proven track record of closing five- and six-figure gifts.
• Jewish Communal Literacy: Deep familiarity with Jewish customs, values, and the organized Jewish communal landscape.
• Bay Area Fluency: An understanding of the Bay Area’s philanthropic culture
• Data-Driven Approach: Proficiency with donor databases and a data-informed approach to pipeline management.
• Communication: Exceptional ability to connect with others; strong storytelling skills; the ability to articulate our mission and impact.

Why Join Us?

• Impact: Direct influence on the vibrancy of Jewish life in one of the world’s most innovative cities.
• Compensation: Competitive salary ($105k–$120k) based on experience
• Robust Benefits, including:
  • health insurance (90% employer paid)
  • life insurance
  • 403b
  • short- and long-term disability (STD/LTD)
  • flexible spending plan
  • transit plan
  • generous vacation (including Jewish holidays)

To apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected].