Associate Director of Development

Associate Director of Development

The Tree of Life

Pittsburgh, PA | Full-Time | In-Office
Salary Range: $85,000–$95,000 + Benefits

About The Organization

On October 27, 2018, 11 Jews from three congregations were murdered while worshiping in what was the deadliest antisemitic attack in the United States. In the years since the tragedy, incidents of antisemitism and identity-based hate, often coupled with deadly violence, have continued to rise. The Tree of Life is on a mission to uproot antisemitism by remembering those taken from us and building relationships across difference to repair our world. We are creating a new, locally grounded institution with a broad national impact. The reimagined Tree of Life is a place that will celebrate Jewish life and tradition and remember each victim and the horror that happened here on this sacred ground. It is a place that educates people of all ages and backgrounds, builds connection, and inspires courageous action to create compassionate communities.

Position Overview

The Associate Director of Development will play a critical role in advancing The Tree of Life’s fundraising efforts, with a particular focus on cultivating and stewarding relationships within the Pittsburgh community. Reporting directly to the Chief Advancement Officer, this frontline fundraising position will manage a portfolio of donors and prospects in the $1,000–$25,000 range while helping to grow and strengthen the organization’s local donor pipeline.

The ideal candidate is an experienced relationship builder who is energized by community-based fundraising and thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. This individual will work closely with leadership to support annual fundraising goals, donor engagement strategies, special events, and stewardship initiatives.

This is an in-office position based in Pittsburgh, PA. The person hired for this role must be based in or within regular commuting distance of Pittsburgh and available to attend regular in-person meetings, events, and community engagements.

Key Responsibilities

Frontline Fundraising & Donor Management

• Manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors and prospects, primarily in the $1,000–$25,000 giving range.
• Conduct regular donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship meetings with a strong emphasis on relationship-building and long-term engagement.
• Develop personalized strategies to deepen donor involvement and increase philanthropic support over time.
• Partner with the Chief Advancement Officer on donor strategy, pipeline development, and prospect movement.
• Support the identification and cultivation of new donors within the Pittsburgh community and broader regional networks.

Community Engagement & Relationship Building

• Serve as a visible and engaged representative of The Tree of Life within the Pittsburgh community.
• Build relationships with community leaders, civic organizations, corporate partners, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Attend community events, networking opportunities, and organization-sponsored programs to strengthen local visibility and support.

Events & Donor Engagement

• Support the planning and execution of donor cultivation events, stewardship gatherings, and community engagement opportunities.
• Assist with event follow-up and donor communications to ensure meaningful engagement before and after events.
• Collaborate with internal staff and consultants to ensure donor-facing experiences reflect the organization’s mission and values.

Development Operations & Strategy

• Maintain accurate donor records and engagement activity within the organization’s CRM system.
• Track donor activity and fundraising progress and provide regular updates to the Chief Advancement Officer.
• Assist with proposal development, stewardship reporting, donor correspondence, and other advancement materials as needed.
• Contribute to broader fundraising and campaign planning efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 7–9 years of professional fundraising experience, including direct frontline fundraising responsibility.
• Demonstrated success managing donor relationships and soliciting gifts in a nonprofit, educational, cultural, or mission-driven environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage a wide range of constituents.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.
• Experience with CRM/database management and donor tracking systems.
• Passion for The Tree of Life’s mission and commitment to community-centered relationship building.