Congregation Shearith Israel is a warm, welcoming, and dynamic Conservative synagogue with more than one-thousand-member families located in the heart of Preston Hollow area of Dallas. At Shearith, we strive to be a caring, inclusive, sacred community that is committed to providing pathways to enrich our members Jewish lives, elevate their souls and embrace their Judaism.

Following our 140th anniversary this past year, the synagogue is moving into an exciting inflection point of growth with increased membership, record-setting enrollment in our religious school, and amazing levels of generosity from our congregation. With amazing momentum in our Annual Campaign and a Foundation initiative, we are seeking to add an experienced full-time Director of Development to our team who is committed to working collaboratively with existing lay leadership to help move our stewardship efforts to the next level. This person will be responsible for managing all aspects of stewardship and fundraising at both the Synagogue and the Shearith Israel Foundation.

 The Director of Development will have the creativity and initiative to think strategically about the shul’s different constituencies and how best to engage them in a coordinated way, seeking to align their passions and interests with priority needs. Working with strong lay leadership and an actively involved clergy, this person will implement and monitor the effectiveness of fundraising strategies including major gifts, legacy gifts, corporate sponsorship, annual campaign, capital needs, grants and special events. The Director of Development will work closely with the Foundation President, the Synagogue President, the Klei Kodesh and the respective Boards and Development Committee of both the Foundation and Synagogue. The position will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

Foundation

• Lead the communications function for the foundation
• Manage existing endowment files and the creation of new fund agreements
• Work with executives to define clear goals and create a strong vision for the foundation
• Produce actionable plans to support the foundation’s strategic initiative
• Develop and manage communications strategies that advance awareness of the foundation
• Create communications strategies that help the foundation’s leadership steward all donors

Grants, Events & Revenue Strategy

• Help manage and support the annual development plan with defined goals
• Research, develop and implement fundraising strategies to meet revenue goals
• Synthesize and summarize prospect information clearly and concisely for leadership
• Research donors as needed and make recommendations on request amounts and timing
• Help leadership strengthen and increase existing donor relationships
• Build a pipeline of supporters by identifying new prospects
• Identify and manage grant opportunities to increase funding
• Oversee the writing and submitting of grant proposals and reports

Marketing & Public Relations

• Work with communications department to develop marketing strategies
• Develop materials to enhance the image of the Foundation and Synagogue in the community
• Serve as staff liaison for relevant Boards, Committees, and Sub-Committees
• Work with finance department to develop and manage budgets and objectives
• Foster a philanthropic culture and mindset within the Shearith staff and leadership
• Identify and implement a donor management software program
• Ensure fundraising policies are followed and assure compliance with all IRS regulations
• Maintain current working knowledge of policies and procedures to assist donors
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Experience, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, communications, or related field
• At least five (5) years of experience in development and fundraising
• Success in soliciting and stewarding major gifts
• Success in writing proposals, grant applications, and securing institutional funding
• Experience in event planning and implementation
• Knowledge of the Dallas philanthropic landscape
• Demonstrated excellence in building relationships
• Strong knowledge of database management, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures and data
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills
• Highly detailed and able to manage multiple projects with deadlines simultaneously
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to engage and motivate individuals to achieve goals
• Unwavering dedication to handling confidential information with discretion

Other Qualifications

• Commitment to the community served by Congregation Shearith Israel
• Represent Shearith in a positive, professional manner
• Jewish professional or familiarity with Judaism and eagerness to learn more about Jewish communal life

Shearith offers a competitive salary and benefits package with bonus opportunities. Please forward resume and cover letter to Kyle Queal, Chief Operating Officer: [email protected].