Associate Director, Annual Philanthropy
About The Position
The Associate Director of J Philanthropy provides leadership and operational oversight to advance the fundraising priorities of the St. Louis Jewish Community Center (The J). The role manages the infrastructure, systems, and project execution supporting the Philanthropy Team, including annual fundraising operations, a major capital and endowment campaign, and planned giving initiatives. The Associate Director supervises the Philanthropy Operations Manager and Donor Relations & Grants Associate and serves as the central project manager for major fundraising initiatives. This is a leadership- and execution-focused position rather than a frontline fundraising role, though participation in donor meetings and cultivation activities may be appropriate. The position reports to the Chief Philanthropy Officer and works closely with the Philanthropy Team, staff, and lay leaders. It oversees philanthropy operations, departmental budgets, campaign planning and reporting, annual giving society stewardship, and development of planned giving initiatives. The role also assists with the annual J’la fundraising event and performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- At least five years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit operations, project management, philanthropy operations, program management, or a related field.
- Demonstrated success managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and measurable deadlines.
- Experience supervising staff and coordinating cross-functional teams.
- Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and process-improvement skills.
- Experience with donor databases and fundraising reporting systems; Salesforce or a comparable CRM preferred.
- Ability to develop work plans, track progress, analyze data, and communicate results clearly.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively with senior leadership, volunteers, donors, colleagues, and external partners.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in capital campaigns, endowment development, planned giving, or nonprofit fundraising is highly desirable.
Responsibilities
- Supervise the Philanthropy Operations Manager and Donor Relations & Grants Associate, ensuring operational best practices for assignment processes, acknowledgements, data maintenance and list management, pledge reminders, financial reporting, endowment and restricted fund reporting, and year-end letters and donor listings.
- Identify operational improvement opportunities and develop solutions.
- Manage the department’s expense budget and coordinate with the Philanthropy Operations Manager on oversight of the revenue budget, in coordination with the Chief Philanthropy Officer.
- Work with the CEO to manage the portfolio and help keep donor moves on track.
- Grow and steward the annual giving society, collaborating with the Chief Philanthropy Officer and Events Manager on levels, benefits, and special stewardship opportunities.
- Manage the capital and endowment campaign, including day-to-day project management with the Chief Philanthropy Officer, CEO, campaign leadership, and lay volunteers.
- Develop a comprehensive campaign work plan with timelines, milestones, deliverables, and progress reporting.
- Track campaign progress, prospect activity, solicitations, pledges, and outstanding follow-up with the Philanthropy Team.
- Help hire the feasibility study consultant and manage the consultant’s needs from The J to conduct the study.
- Build campaign recognition for capital and endowment gifts.
- Lead development and implementation of a strategic planned giving program to support The J’s long-term sustainability.
- Develop planned giving acceptance criteria and policies as part of the capital and endowment campaign.
- Partner with the Chief Philanthropy Officer and CEO to identify opportunities to grow The J’s endowment and legacy giving pipeline.
- Coordinate planned giving communications, donor education, recognition opportunities, and engagement activities.
- Assist the Special Events Manager, Chief Philanthropy Officer, and Philanthropy Team with the annual J’la fundraising event.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
