About Jewish National Fund-USA (Jewish National Fund-USA):

Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA) is the leading philanthropic organization for the land and people of Israel. Driven by a powerful 122 year legacy of changing lives and livelihoods, JNF-USA is a partner (donor) led, independent 501 (c)(3) non-profit that's attracting 800,000 new residents to Israel's Negev Desert and Galilee through its visionary One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade.

JNF-USA is creating a brighter future for residents living on Israel's frontier as it builds parks, playgrounds, medical centers, schools, resilience centers, bomb shelters, and so much more. In addition, JNF-USA's supports people with disabilities; brings farmers from developing nations to Israel to learn about sustainable agriculture; and makes philanthropic investments in agricultural and water R&D. In fact, thanks to Jewish National Fund-USA, Israel has become the global leader in water recycling. Jewish National Fund-USA is also changing the narrative on university campuses through its work with college student leaders and professors beyond the Jewish faith through its Caravan for Democracy Student Leadership Mission to Israel and Faculty Fellowship Program in Israel and Alexander Muss High School semester abroad program.

If working for an organization that supports the land and people of Israel and Jewish people everywhere excites you, then join us and you needn't wait another minute to change the world.

Position:

Jewish National Fund-USA seeks to recruit an Executive Director to be responsible for developing and implementing short and long-term philanthropic and leadership development strategies with a significant focus on major gift fundraising and leadership development in Illinois.

You will take a leadership role in board and volunteer development throughout your portfolio and will work with the National Campaign Director to develop and implement fundraising strategies in alignment with the National Annual Campaign Plan.

Your energetic leadership will foster a culture of enthusiasm, partnership, teamwork, and excitement to reach individual and community goals. Your team of professional fundraisers and lay leaders will understand how their work locally contributes to Jewish National Fund USA's $1 Billion ten-year goal, and that together, we are building the land of Israel for today and the future of the Jewish people.

The Executive Director's main priorities will include expanding Jewish National Fund USA's annual giving through major gifts, general campaign gifts, new donor identification and cultivation, day to day management of operations, and overseeing all aspects of the annual campaign. Building and maintaining strong relationships with existing donors and strategically expanding the fundraising portfolio to support Jewish National Fund USA's growth in the region is a paramount priority.

The successful candidate must be an experienced professional who is a "go-getter" and must combine sophisticated leadership with an entrepreneurial spirit. The ideal candidate will be collaborative, results-oriented, and have a clear passion for the Jewish National Fund USA's mission and Israel. Candidates may come from a variety of backgrounds such as having held a leadership role in the corporate sector, Senior Development Officer or equivalent in a major nonprofit organization, hospital, museum, historical society, major library, or in the academic arena such as a president and/or dean of a college or university. Experience working with or serving on a Board of Directors is essential.

The Executive Director will first and foremost focus on the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-net worth individuals, foundations and business supporters. The candidate will also supervise a team of the Annual Campaign professionals and with this team help enhance Jewish National Fund USA's profile and ensure that the organization is well positioned in a rapidly evolving and competitive environment.

The office is based in Northbrook, Illinois, the Midwest hub for JNF-USA professionals.

Responsibilities:

• 
  Engage in direct and systematic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-net-worth individuals. Direct responsibility for maintaining and building relationships with a portfolio of major gift prospects. Develop strategic annual and long-term fundraising plans and evaluate progress to goals
• The stewardship of existing major gift donor relationships; identify and cultivate new major gift donors; renew financial commitments of existing major gift donors
• Promote major donor-centric approaches, well-timed solicitation schedules and data-driven program strategy and analysis to increase revenue generation
• Foster relationships with financial advisors, attorneys, donors, and other partners who can facilitate in the promotion and acquisition of major and planned gifts, bequests, and annuities
• Develop the appropriate level of internal communication, reporting and tracking of results
• Supervise, train, and develop fundraising staff in the Illinois. Foster a culture of enthusiasm, teamwork, and collaboration among the fundraising team as well as our passionate and committed lay leaders.
• Build and facilitate philanthropic capacity by maintaining collaborative relations with other organizations throughout Illinois while showcasing Jewish National Fund USA's at its best
• Work with Illinois' leadership to develop Jewish National Fund USA's strategic vision, goal, and strategies and engage a committees to assist in the identification, solicitation, and stewardship of current and new donors
• Research funding sources and trends, with foresight, to help position Jewish National Fund USA's ahead of philanthropic giving changes or trends; utilize best practices and innovative fundraising approaches
• Utilize the Jewish National Fund USA's Salesforce database to manage donor and prospect relationships
• Travel to your areas of supervision will be required, along with travel to Israel

Qualifications:

• At least 8-10 years of progressive responsibility and experience in fundraising, or proven sales experience in a client driven business
• Extensive experience working with senior-level executives
• Strong supervision skills
• Significant experience leading and growing successful fundraising/sales functions including building strategies to strengthen and increase funding from a diverse range of sources including individual donors, private corporations, and philanthropic foundations
• Excellent decision-making skills and the ability to balance multiple data points, stakeholders, and overall funding landscape in designing and implementing fundraising strategies
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and collaborative environment, as well as an interest in advancing the organizations fundraising function to be even more strategic, innovative, and results-oriented
• Strong communication skills including experience in presenting and public speaking
• Experience with Salesforce preferred or similar data management systems
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required

Perks:

• Days off for all work-prohibitive Jewish holidays, in addition to the secular US holidays
• 3pm close-of-business on Fridays
• Flexible expense account for mileage and donor meetings
• Top-notch healthcare (including dental and vision)
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer-paid short and long-term disability
• 403(b) with generous employer contribution
• Opportunities to travel to Israel

Salary range is commensurate with experience.