Director of Annual Giving: JFund

JCC Greater Boston•Newton, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join a team where creativity, strategy, and relationship-building come together to fuel our mission and transform lives! Under the direction of Senior Director, Giving & Events, the Director of the JFund is responsible for designing and executing JCCGB's Annual Campaign strategy, managing a personal donor portfolio, and building the systems, relationships, and culture that will sustain and grow the $3M Annual Campaign. This position offers an exceptional and entrepreneurial candidate the chance to make a difference by building a program and growing resources for an organization with a powerful track record. We are seeking an experienced fundraiser who has architected an Annual Campaign, closed major gifts, made data-driven decisions, and consistently thinks outside the box. JCC Greater Boston is in the silent phase of our organization’s most ambitious comprehensive campaign. We are seeking a bold fundraiser with experience developing and executing an Annual Campaign strategy designed to drive revenue. Our Annual Fund: The JFund serves as a tool to grow a pipeline of donors, particularly those with major gift capacity. The JFund is also our greatest engagement tool for participation, celebrating and stewarding gifts of every level. The role will require proven experience successfully closing annual and leadership gifts, leveraging data to drive strategic decision-making, and innovative thinking to support overall fundraising growth across the organization. This leadership will not only strengthen unrestricted fundraising through the campaign but also help grow restricted support in program innovation and other key priority areas. The ideal candidate is genuinely energized by donor relationships — who finds a handwritten note to a $500 donor as satisfying as closing a $50,000 gift. Someone who can work with urgency without manufacturing it. Who is honest about what the data says even when it's inconvenient. And who believes that JCC Greater Boston is a worthy investment for our community and wants to be part of its impact. JCC Greater Boston is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston’s core values - Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation - which resonate with many who do not identify as Jewish.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field (communications, marketing, business administration, PR, etc.) required.
5+ years of progressive fundraising experience, with at least 2 years managing an annual fund or portfolio.
A demonstrable track record of closing gifts, creating annual fundraising plans, strategies, architecture, forecasting and reporting.
Strong data skills: knowledge of building a segmented strategy, understanding of retention analysis, and strong aptitude around using a CRM as a management tool.
Excellent written and verbal communication — able to simultaneously write a compelling appeal letter and make an ask as normal course of business.
Enthusiasm for and knowledge of the Boston Jewish community, with an authentic connection to JCC Greater Boston's mission and values.
Must have a valid driver’s license and be able drive a motor vehicle and to pass a MRV review.
Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC's discretion to meet this minimum hiring criteria.
This role requires a highly strategic, donor-centered, and results-driven professional with demonstrated success in annual fundraising, a deep understanding of donor motivation, and a commitment to building long-term, mission-aligned relationships.
Must have strong competency in all Microsoft Office Suite programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), social media literacy, and proficiency in Microsoft Outlook/Team.
Exceptional interpersonal, listening, and communication skills (written and oral), with the ability to build and sustain strong relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and donors.
Proven ability to set priorities, manage multiple projects, and achieve goals with attention to detail and high-quality standards
Creative, energetic, and self-motivated professional who takes initiative and adapts effectively to evolving needs.
Strong organizational, time management, and project leadership skills from design through implementation.
Demonstrated discretion and professionalism in handling confidential information.
Strong organizational and research skills, including the ability to generate, document and interpret data.
Knowledge of the Boston Jewish community is desirable.

Nice To Haves

Experience with capital campaign preparation or execution, preferred.
Familiarity with planned giving concepts and legacy donor stewardship, preferred.
Experience with Raiser's Edge, Salesforce NPSP, or a comparable CRM, preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and Drive the Annual Campaign: Design and manage JCC Greater Boston’s $3M JFund from strategy through execution — segmentation, solicitation timelines, messaging, acknowledgment, and analysis.
Consistently achieve the $3M annual campaign goal, providing clear accountability metrics for each gift officer at every tier of the gift pyramid, while developing a strategy for long term growth.
Build multi-channel campaign strategies across direct mail, digital, phone, and in-person solicitation, events, calibrated to different donor segments.
Manage a personal portfolio of 175–225 mid-level and major donors, with a focus on gifts of $1,000 and above and a clear plan for upgrading donors over time.
Analyze and track metrics around donor retention, average gift size, new donor acquisition, and pipeline growth — and use them to make decisions and reports.
Enhance current forecasting tools to accurately and confidently forecast the campaign from fiscal year start to end.
Partner with the Development team members to embed JFund goals, messaging, and cultivation moments into the JCC's major annual fundraising events.
Use events as cultivation vehicles, identifying attendees who are ready for a deeper conversation.
Project manages all direct mail efforts; works with Development Team on creating and implementing direct email campaign, including list management and segmentation.
Works with Marketing and IT Departments to implement these initiatives.
Oversee the production and mailing of materials including Rosh Hashanah and Chanukah card mailings, and any other printed materials of this type.
Oversees the integrity and strategic use of the Development CRM, ensuring moves management, prospect tracking, and gift data are accurate and actionable.
Work with the Finance Team and Development Team members to set clear expectations around gift processing, acknowledgements, reporting, and data hygiene.
Build and Steward Donor Relationships: Develop a year-round stewardship program that treats every donor as a relationship — with touchpoints calibrated to giving level and engagement history.
Lead lapsed donor recapture efforts and build a systematic pipeline for converting first-time donors to recurring and mid-level donors.
Work with our Major Gifts Officer on our 1983 Legacy Giving Circle, including prospect identification, recognition, and stewardship communications that honor legacy commitments and inspire new ones.
Work with our Institutional Giving Manager on all Corporate and Foundation giving strategies.
Meet with team regularly to assure that Corporate and Foundation giving is integrated into the Annual Campaign, that we are constantly seeking and researching new opportunities, and we share our story based on the criteria needed to successfully capture funding.
Ensure every donor at every level feels the impact of their gift — through stories, data, and personal connection.
Partner on the Comprehensive Capital Campaign: Work with the Senior Director of Giving & Events and CDO to build and qualify a major gift prospect pipeline that can support the imminent comprehensive campaign.
Prepare regular annual campaign reports for the Senior Director of Giving, & Events and CDO, board development committee, and senior leadership — with analysis and figures.
Collaborate with the Senior Director of Giving & Events and CDO on major gift strategy for all frontline fundraisers’ portfolios of prospects giving $25,000 and above, including briefings, proposals, and follow-up.
Position Annual Campaign relationships and messaging to create blended asks, assuring that the campaign goals and annual campaign goals are met with each family.
Build a Culture of Philanthropy: Be the internal champion for a fundraising mindset — helping program staff, board members, and senior leaders understand their role in donor relationships.
Create opportunities for program partnerships that serve both community-building and fundraising goals.
Identify and engage governance and committee volunteers who can deepen their connection to the JCC through giving and leadership.
Actively model JCC Greater Boston’s mission, vision, and values, fostering a positive, welcoming, inclusive culture where individuals feel valued, respected, and supported to succeed.
Lead with integrity, positivity, and accountability, building trust and modeling the behaviors that strengthen organizational culture.
Maintain a safety-first, solution-oriented mindset that prioritizes inclusion, risk awareness, and high standards of service and accountability.
Set and communicate a clear vision aligned with organizational priorities and lead change with clarity, empathy, and resilience.
Build collaborative partnerships across teams, volunteers, vendors, and community stakeholders while representing the organization with professionalism.
Drive operational excellence through sound judgment, data-informed decision-making, and responsible financial stewardship.
Provide calm, decisive leadership in complex or high-pressure situations while promoting continuous improvement and professional growth.
Attend JCCGB All Staff meetings, and other meetings and trainings as assigned.
Perform other duties as required to support departmental and organizational success.

Benefits

Competitive cost-sharing Health and Dental Insurance
JCC Sponsored/Paid Health Reimbursement Account
JCC Sponsored/Paid Group Life Insurance/LTD Coverage
Generous paid time off supporting a quality work-life balance
Tax-deferred 403(b) retirement savings plan
Voluntary Supplemental Vision Insurance
Additional Voluntary Supplemental Life/ADD coverage for you and your family
AbilityAssist Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Norton Cyber Security Program
LegalEase Insurance program
JCCGB Perks! This position is eligible for a free individual membership to JCC Greater Boston's top class fitness, recreation and wellness facility in Newton – offering virtual and in-person programs including indoor swimming, many fitness classes, and workout facilities, as well as discounts to many JCCGB events, classes, outdoor pool, and more!
Complimentary individual membership includes: Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal-Sidman
Access to group fit classes, Arts & Culture adult programming at member rates
Discounts on a variety JCCGB's fitness/wellness programs and services
Free wellness events!
Discounted child care at JCCGB Early Learning Centers and after-school program
Discounted JCCGB camp tuition