Director, Jewish Communal Philanthropy

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Director, Jewish Communal Philanthropy to oversee the cultivation, maintenance and strengthening of our relationships with donors supporting HIAS through Jewish institutional pathways, including Federations, Federation-housed DAFs, synagogue charitable giving committees, networks of funders and family foundations. They will identify and pursue opportunities for funding through Jewish communal institutions, working closely with colleagues in Major Gifts, Planned Giving, Institutional Development and Community Engagement, identifying areas for growth and further development. They will research donors and prospects, prepare persuasive proposals and compelling reports, represent HIAS to Jewish communal partners and connect colleagues in Global Public Affairs and other divisions to individual donors and leaders as needed.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Federations, synagogues and small foundations turned inward as local communal needs assumed top priority. Even prior to Covid, HIAS struggled to secure support from many Jewish institutions because we have not had dedicated staff to cultivate this philanthropic niche. Earning greater visibility within these spheres will help affirm HIAS’ stature as a trusted and valued Jewish agency, and increased prominence within Federations and synagogues will attract new individual major donors, most notably those who channel their philanthropy through DAFs housed in Federations or participate in their Planned Giving programs through bequests and other vehicles. This position will also liaise with networks of funders to ensure that we keep abreast of trends and maintain connections with influencers within Jewish communal philanthropy. Reporting to the Vice President, Development, this position will begin with no direct reports, but we expect to build out a team dedicated to Jewish Communal Giving over time, which they would oversee.

Note, this position is based at our headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland or our office in New York, New York, and we will consider a remote option for applicants who live outside of commuting distance to either of our offices and are based in other states in which we are registered (Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Cultivates, grows and manages a portfolio of major Jewish communal philanthropic donors and prospects drawn from Federations, congregations, Jewish foundations and networks, from research to solicitation to stewardship to reporting.
• Sets high-level, long-term and annual fundraising strategy in consultation with the Vice President, Development and the Major Gifts teams, and in close consultation with the Institutional Development and Community Engagement teams.
• Synthesizes HIAS’ key programs and interventions into clear, compelling presentations, proposals and reports for current and new donors.
• Crafts high-caliber, winning letters of inquiry, proposals, acknowledgment letters and reports, weighing in on promotional collateral as needed.
• Builds strong relationships with Development colleagues, partnering closely with Major Gifts, Development Operations and Planned Giving teams, meeting regularly to collaborate; liaises regularly with the Institutional Development team to share content and strategies.
• Consults with Community Engagement, Communications and Programs teams as needed.
• Monitors donor and philanthropic trends in the Jewish communal and humanitarian space.
• Represents HIAS in public settings and at Jewish communal events.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree required; graduate degree in Nonprofit Management/Fundraising, Jewish Communal Service, International Development or another relevant field preferred.
• 6-8 years of progressive leadership experience in institutional advancement, with at least 3 years in management.
• Excellent knowledge of the American and international Jewish communities, including familiarity with the Federation ecosystem and networks of funders.
• Experience at a federation, foundation or other grantmaker preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in fundraising; extensive experience in prospect research; expertise in donor cultivation and retention.
• Deep-seated understanding of philanthropic strategies and vehicles; proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts from institutional grantmakers, including multi-year commitments.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills; the ability to prioritize, manage time efficiently in a fast-paced environment and remain flexible in an ever-changing landscape for refugee issues.
• Comfort in representing HIAS to funders and interacting with a diverse base of supporters.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite, fundraising databases and prospect research tools.
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and accountability while being a team player.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% and ability to attend functions/activities outside of normal work hours.
• An entrepreneurial mindset, innate curiosity and a ready ability to connect with people.

EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION:

All employees are expected to represent the organization in alignment with HIAS’ mission, vision and values. Some employees of HIAS are expected to speak externally on behalf of the organization with clients, donors, affiliates, partners, etc. as part of their work-related responsibilities. Applicants for these roles acknowledge and accept the inherent risk associated with external representation of HIAS.

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.