Director, Donor Engagement and Travel

Jewish Federation of Cleveland•Cleveland, OH

19h

About The Position

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland is seeking a dynamic and detail-driven professional to design and execute high-impact missions to Israel and destinations around the world. Our missions serve as strategic experiences that deepen relationships, strengthen community, and inspire philanthropy. As the Director, Donor Engagement and Travel, you will create meaningful journeys that bring donors, leaders, and young professionals closer to Federation’s work and to one another. You will serve as the creative partner and logistical director behind the experiences that move hearts and drive impact.   This position is full-time and reports to the Managing Director, Campaign. 

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred.
7+ years of experience with development travel/stewardship or related field like a travel agent or equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and skills required.
Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills, verbal, and written communication skills.
Demonstrated exceptional customer service skills. High-level attention to detail.
Maintain a high level of confidentiality and professional integrity.
Strong knowledge of basic office computing, including MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), Zoom, and basic database skills required.
Strong experience and ability working with CRM databases.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Experience in developing and managing large budgets.
Experience and demonstrated ability to coordinate and prioritize workflow processes including managing multiple tasks, setting schedules, meeting deadlines, organizing, and planning.
Ability to build trusted relationships; work effectively, respectfully, and collaboratively with lay leadership and colleagues across departments and at all levels of the organization.
Ability to manage multiple priorities with demonstrated organizational skills.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced work environment and adapting to rapidly changing priorities and needs.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Jewish organizations/institutions, either as an employee, volunteer, or participant preferred.

Responsibilities

Design and execute high‑touch donor engagement strategies tailored to major donors, VIPs, leadership groups, and emerging leaders that deepen relationships through immersive travel experiences in Israel and other global destinations.
Leverage missions and travel programs as strategic tools to cultivate, steward, and retain donors across giving levels.
Serve as a primary relationship partner for select donors, engaging them before, during, and after travel experiences to strengthen philanthropic commitment and long‑term connection to the Federation’s mission.
Collaborate closely with Development staff to align donor travel experiences with individual philanthropic interests, giving strategies, and stewardship plans.
Create meaningful pre‑trip and post‑trip engagement touchpoints—including briefings, learning opportunities, follow‑up conversations, and impact reporting—to extend donor engagement beyond the travel experience itself.
Partner with lay leaders and professional staff to curate mission content that inspires generosity, Jewish connection, and a deeper understanding of Federation priorities.
Translate immersive experiences into sustained donor involvement by identifying next‑step opportunities for leadership, advocacy, and increased giving.
Utilize donor insights gained through missions and programs to inform personalized stewardship approaches and enhance overall donor engagement strategies.
Measure and evaluate the impact of travel‑based engagement on donor satisfaction, retention, and philanthropic growth, using insights to refine engagement strategies.
Manage logistics including budgets, vendors, airlines, tour operators, and speakers.
Provide guidance and support to Lead Staff in preparation of mission proposals from initial concept to final approval.
Ensure seamless participant experience from recruitment through follow-up
Manage calls from potential participants, answering general and specific informational questions regarding missions.
Review mission participant applications and monitor special requests. Work in consultation with mission lead staff, lay leadership, and tour operators, ensure itinerary and participant experience for each mission is consistent with goals and objectives.
Create, implement, and monitor a follow-up plan with mission participants upon return from a mission, in coordination with Campaign, Leadership Development, and other Federation departments.
Track participation and outcomes in CRM systems to support fundraising strategy. With mission lead staff and overseas land agent, review and maintain the accuracy of all lists: participant, rooming, bus, land only, special requests, seating requests, dietary requests, celebrations, etc.
Develop strong working relationships with mission lead staff, from various Federation departments, and with varying mission-facilitation/implementation experience.
Travel with delegations as needed to provide on-site leadership and support.
Serve as the local ambassador for JFNA national travel initiatives, engaging community members in unique, mission‑driven experiences that deepen their connection to the broader Jewish people and collective impact.
Manage relationships with all travel vendors and service providers.
Maintain accurate records in CRM of all vendors, speakers, and mission contacts.
Prepare and manage necessary materials for missions, including pre, post, and during mission documentation.
Serve as a contact for professional and volunteer leadership seeking to travel to Israel, acting as a point-to-point concierge for our donors.
Schedule, organize, and implement ”Mini Missions” (local agency site visits) for pre-determined groups based on goals and objectives set by the Development Department or other departments where appropriate.
Where appropriate, assist with logistics and planning for speaker visits.
Other duties as assigned.