Director of Advancement

Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford

On-site

West Hartford, CT

About this organization

Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford (JFS) is seeking an experienced Director of Advancement. This position will be a member of the management team with supervisory responsibilities. The Director of Advancement leads fundraising efforts to support the organization’s work while increasing the organization’s visibility and outreach through communications and marketing responsibilities.

Position Summary

The Director of Advancement successfully leads JFS’s fundraising, marketing, communication, and partnership efforts with a focus on sustaining and growing JFS’s positive impact on the Greater Hartford community, in collaboration with key community partnerships. The Director of Advancement will focus on implementing the advancement objectives as outlined in the JFS Strategic Plan.

Utilizing a relationship-centered approach, the Director will engage a wide variety of stakeholders and draw from the experience, expertise, and capacity of JFS staff, board members, donors, volunteers, business leaders, and community partners. This includes communicating the impact of JFS’s programs, securing support from individuals and businesses, and continuing to raise the visibility of JFS in the community based upon its mission and core values.

The Director is a key part of the management team, manages staff and consultants responsible for executing fundraising and marketing activities, and works in close collaboration with the CEO, COO, program staff, Director of Grants, President of the Board, and fiscal department, as well as community partners.

Essential Functions of the Position Include

  • Develop and connect annual donor and partnership engagement goals and coordinate a corresponding calendar of activities including appeals, events, communications, and donor and volunteer engagement. This includes, in partnership with the Volunteer Coordinator, ensuring that donors are connected to meaningful volunteer opportunities and that volunteers are connected to JFS.

  • Coordinate major gift strategies, solicitations, gift processing, donor acknowledgements, and monitor progress towards development goals. 

  • Educate the Board about fundraising strategies, staff the Board’s development and marketing committees, and report key data to track progress and evaluate achievement. 

  • Lead a lay committee and staff to plan JFS’s Annual Event to combat hunger and lead the planning and execution of other fundraising events and activities throughout the year.

  • Oversee formal and informal donor and partnership recognition and appreciation through correspondence, public recognition, and signage including plaques and digital displays.

  • Lead JFS’s marketing and external communication including storytelling, digital marketing including social media, advertisements, press releases, and collateral. Ensure JFS’s public-facing content is branded, clear, and consistent.

  • Serve as a source of information and connection between JFS staff and the community. Develop relationships with and maintain contact information for community and business partners. Represent JFS at community events and activities. 

  • Evaluate partnership opportunities and ensure responsibilities are being met, including co-branding and promotion, in collaboration with the Director of Grants. 

  • Contribute meaningfully to the understanding of the role of JFS in the community, and help consider, navigate, and resolve community, partner, and donor issues in collaboration with the CEO and COO.

  • Supervise employees, contractors and consultants related to development and marketing. 

  • Oversee policies and procedures for fundraising, marketing, and partnerships. This includes maintaining development and marketing budgets and expenses and working with the finance team to ensure compliance with accounting policies and regulations.  

  • Oversee the administration and optimal use of DonorPerfect database and MailChimp software, and utilize WordPress for website updates as needed. 

  • Create data-driven solutions and measurable goals for the annual and Strategic Plans and the operating budget.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • At least five years of relevant fundraising and marketing experience.  Experience in a Jewish communal work or a social service agency is strongly preferred.  

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, and the ability to passionately communicate the impact of Jewish Family Services’ work and mission.

  • Ability to develop relationships and work collaboratively with donors, volunteers, community partners, and businesses at all levels of giving and involvement.

  • Experience leading professional and volunteer teams with organization-wide impact.

  • Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to conceptualize the big picture and manage the details.

  • Discretion with and commitment to protect confidential and sensitive information, must be driven by integrity.

  • Very high-level proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, Powerpoint).

  • Supervisory experience.

  • Familiarity with and/or ability to acquire proficiency with DonorPerfect. 

  • Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.

  • Strong commitment to personal and team excellence.

  • Ability to think strategically and creatively, as well as to implement and follow-through.

  • Ability to work under pressure, with grace and diplomacy.

  • Ability to consistently exemplify organizational mission and values. 

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

  • Must be able to operate computer for most of workday with appropriate rest periods.

  • Must be able to lift 20 lbs.  

  • Must be available to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed, for events.

  • Must be able to be in the physical offices at least part of the weekly schedule (health and safety permitting).

Cultural Competence

Employees will be sensitive and responsive to the ethnic, racial, cultural, socio-economic, religious and national diversity in JFS’s service population and among its employees. This role involves working with members of our community who may be experiencing food and financial insecurity. Whoever fills this role must be empathetic and sensitive to the needs of our clients and have the ability to serve clients without judgement. Understanding of and appreciation for Jewish community and culture is critical.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commitment 

It is the policy of JFS to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status (including civil unions), national origin, ancestry, membership in the Armed Forces, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, hair texture/protective hairstyles or any other characteristic protected by law, and to treat applicants and employees in a non-discriminatory fashion in compliance with all state and federal law.

Covid-19

All JFS employees are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to start date.

TIME COMMITMENT

Full Time Schedule

START DATE

December 1, 2023

EDUCATION

4-Year Degree Required

SALARY

USD $90,000 - USD $100,000 / year

Commensurate with experience

Benefits

Our current benefits available to full-time employees of Jewish Family Services (JFS) include:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance

  • Long-Term Disability Insurance 

  • Group term…

Location

ON-SITE

333 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford, CT 06117, USA
Suite A

Apply to This Job

Instructions:

If you are looking for a dynamic, supportive, mission-driven environment, we hope you will apply. For consideration, please send a cover letter and resume to Katie Hanley, Chief Executive Officer, via email at khanley@jfshartford.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis (until the position is filled). Anticipated start beginning of December 2023 (flexible).