Director of Development

This is an opportunity for an accomplished development leader to help shape the philanthropic foundation of a major new educational and cultural initiative. The Director of Development will lead fundraising strategy across a significant capital project, endowment, major gifts, annual giving, and institutional partnerships, while building the systems and relationships needed for long-term sustainability. Working closely with the Executive Director and Board, this leader will translate a compelling mission into meaningful philanthropic engagement and help establish a culture of philanthropy grounded in education, civic responsibility, and community impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Development & Capital Campaign

• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to achieve multi-year capital, endowment, and operating fundraising goals.
• Lead strategy for principal and major gifts of $50,000+, including prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Develop campaign messaging, case statements, and donor materials aligned with the organization's mission and vision.
• Advise the Board on fundraising priorities, prospect strategy, and campaign progress.
• Develop strategies for sustaining philanthropic momentum beyond the anticipated 2027 opening.

Major Gifts & Donor Relations

• Manage and grow a portfolio of high-capacity individual donors and prospects.
• Create personalized engagement strategies for major and principal gift opportunities.
• Oversee naming opportunities and donor recognition initiatives.
• Establish thoughtful stewardship practices that foster long-term donor relationships and reflect the significance of the mission.

Foundation & Corporate Engagement

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit foundations and corporations whose priorities align with educational, civic, community, security, and capital initiatives.
• Oversee grant proposal development, submission, and reporting.
• Build and maintain long-term institutional partnerships.
• Annual Giving & Community Fundraising
• Develop annual giving strategies that increase donor participation and strengthen the fundraising pipeline.
• Lead community-based fundraising initiatives and special campaigns.
• Strengthen donor retention, engagement, and upgrade strategies.

Development Operations

• Oversee the integrity and effective use of the organization's CRM and donor information systems.
• Establish fundraising metrics, dashboards, and reporting for leadership and Board review.
• Ensure adherence to nonprofit fundraising standards, policies, and ethical practices.
• Build scalable development processes and infrastructure to support organizational growth.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise development staff, consultants, and external partners as appropriate.
• Establish clear goals, accountability, and performance expectations.
• Collaborate with Education, Marketing, Operations, and other teams to align fundraising priorities with programmatic objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• 8–12 years of progressive nonprofit development experience, preferably within a cultural, educational, historical, or other mission-driven organization.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in nonprofit management, philanthropy, business, public administration, communications, Jewish studies, history, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated success securing six- and seven-figure philanthropic commitments.
• Meaningful capital campaign experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of major gifts, donor cultivation, stewardship, foundation relations, and development operations.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience working effectively with senior executives, Board members, and high-capacity donors.
• CFRE or comparable professional credential is a plus.
• A demonstrated respect for Holocaust history and the educational and ethical responsibilities associated with this work.

Key Competencies & Attributes

• Strategic and analytical approach to fundraising
• Exceptional relationship-building skills
• Strong donor-centered communication
• Executive presence and sound judgment
• Entrepreneurial and solutions-oriented mindset
• Collaborative leadership style
• High degree of integrity and discretion
• Strong organizational and project-management skills
• Ability to balance long-term strategy with hands-on execution

Work Environment & Benefits

The Director of Development will work in person in Phoenix and join a growing organization preparing for a significant new chapter. The environment is collaborative, mission-focused, and highly relationship-driven, with opportunities to work across programs and functions.

The compensation range is $120,000–$160,000 annually, commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and professional development support.