Associate Director of Annual Fund & Alumni Relations

Sinai Akiba Academy•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Associate Director of Annual Fund & Alumni Relations (ADOAFAR) is a pivotal role designed for an innovative, entrepreneurial, and seasoned development professional. As a key leader within our highly collaborative Advancement team, the ADOAFAR is responsible for the strategic vision and execution of all annual fund and alumni relations initiatives. Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy & Donor Relations, this position plays a dual role in both "friendraising" and fundraising. The ADOAFAR will design and implement a robust Alumni Relations program that leverages deep connections to Sinai Akiba Academy, fostering a lifelong sense of belonging and philanthropic commitment within our community. Sinai Akiba Academy is a preeminent private Jewish day school in Los Angeles, serving students in Early Childhood through Grade 8. Sinai Akiba Academy is undergirded by our school mission to engage students in the joy and discipline of learning, and nurture a community of ethical, critical thinkers who, shaped by our evolving Jewish tradition, walk through the world with confidence and humility. Our core values of Kehillah Kedoshah (Sacred Community); Talmud Torah (Academic Excellence); Derech Eretz (Kindness, Empathy, & Respect); Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof (Ethical Responsibility); Avodat Halev (Soulful Intention), and Ahavat Yisrael (Love for Israel) serve as a commitment with the students, families and community members that we serve to energize the present, explore the past, and embrace the future.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
3+ years’ experience and a proven fundraising track record in organizing and managing annual solicitation efforts to meet the financial and engagement goals of an institution
A big-picture, strategic thinker who is flexible, highly detail-oriented, able to multitask easily, and has impeccable follow-through on projects
Strong sense of Jewish identity and commitment to Sinai Akiba Academy’s mission
A skilled communicator who can present a persuasive and compelling case with sincerity and conviction
Comfortable operating in a variety of social settings and building meaningful relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
Proficient at gathering and analyzing meaningful data to aid in the development of effective strategies and plans
Superior written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
Comfort using Google Suite, Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud, and learning other platforms to improve workflow and output

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a dynamic and detailed strategic plan for the Sinai Akiba Fund program
Create targeted, segmented solicitations for parents, grandparents, alumni, alumni parents, friends, faculty and staff
Lead the Sinai Akiba Fund campaign to meet the School’s fundraising goals
Work closely with the Director of Philanthropy and Donor Relations to design the strategy, theme/messaging, and timeline for the Sinai Akiba Fund to increase revenue, deepen engagement across all constituencies
Recruit, retain, train, manage, and steward Sinai Akiba Fund volunteers. Plan and lead committee meetings and partner closely with the Development Chair to execute a successful campaign
Manage a portfolio of mid-level prospects ($1,800–$10,000), guiding them through the full lifecycle of engagement — cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and ongoing relationship management
Organize and help produce all Sinai Akiba Fund materials and communications, including writing appeals and managing the design process for signage, electronic communications, print materials, and other collateral
Research families and organize Sinai Akiba Fund assignments with specific ask amounts and solicitor pairings
Design and execute personalized stewardship plans for Sinai Akiba Fund donors across constituencies, including donor and volunteer appreciation events, thank-you phone calls, and more
Coordinate the development calendar with fundraising events and initiatives
Plan and execute all details of Development events, including goal and strategy creation, pre-event logistics, agenda development, recruitment, staffing, on-site execution, data management, and post-event follow-up. Events include A Night of Gratitude, Giving Tuesday, Grandparents Day, Leadership Circle Dinner, alumni events, and reunions.
Lead the Giving Tuesday strategy, including volunteer coordination, pre-event build-up, matching challenges, incentives, and day-of activations (carline rally, phone sessions, staff lunch)
Collaborate closely with the Development Coordinator to provide reports on Sinai Akiba Fund performance, metrics, statistics, and year-end tax receipts
Recommend and implement changes in strategy to meet program goals and objectives
Partner with the Director of Philanthropy & Donor Relations to develop goals and priorities for alumni engagement, fundraising, and programming
Establish and govern an Alumni Board, including tracking strategic priorities, recruiting committee members, and leveraging alumni to fulfill the larger goals of the Advancement Department
Source meaningful and timely information regarding Alumni and ensure that the Marketing & Communications team has this information for use in social media, monthly alumni newsletters, and other relevant publications
Partner with the Director of Philanthropy & Donor Relations to provide opportunities for alumni and alumni parents to connect and reconnect with one another and with the SAA community through the hosting of events on and off-campus - including but not limited to annual reunions and smaller meet-ups based on professional interests and/or geographic areas
Actively engage alumni and alumni parents in meetings to build relationships, share updates about SAA, and engage them with our programming
Manage Alumni Relations budget
Collaborate regularly with the Admission Office on events, programming, and joint office goals and strategies
Create an alumni program and brand it around touchpoints and milestones, such as birthday gifts, alumni baby gifts, holiday gifts, and special programming
Lead up to ten Alumni evening and/or Sunday events throughout the year to engage alumni
Strengthen the school’s relations with alumni and alumni parents to make certain that programs are designed to foster meaningful relationships that unite the school and these constituencies in a sense of common purpose that builds a pathway to philanthropic support of SAA
Promote a positive culture of giving throughout the school, including, but not limited to, the Sinai Akiba Fund, Gala, Donor Stewardship events, including the Leadership Circle dinner, Grandparents & Special Friends Days, and various other programs and initiatives throughout the year
Coordinate gift preparation, acknowledgment, pledge invoicing, and fulfillment, as well as Annual Report lists, in conjunction with the Director of Philanthropy and Donor Relations and the Development Coordinator
Learn, use, and apply technology as required by School to enhance learning, provide feedback to students and parents, and engage with colleagues. Technology includes but is not limited to JagNet, Google Workspace, Paylocity, and any other School approved software.
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Head of School in support of the school’s mission