Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer

The Jewish Federations of North America•Hartford, CT

10h•$175,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford seeks an accomplished, strategic, and relationship-driven Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer to lead its philanthropic enterprise. Reporting to the President & CEO and serving on the senior leadership team, the SVP & CDO sets strategic direction for fundraising, drives revenue growth, deepens donor engagement, expands and diversifies the donor base, and strengthens the people, systems, and practices needed for sustained success. The role provides strategic leadership across the Annual Campaign; major and principal gifts; Women’s and Men’s Philanthropy; real estate and corporate partnerships; sponsorships and targeted philanthropic initiatives; planned and legacy giving; endowment, including the Now & Forever Endowment Campaign; and development operations, data, and CRM. As an active frontline fundraiser, the SVP & CDO cultivates, solicits, and stewards significant donors and prospects, develops strategies for top philanthropic families, builds a pipeline of new major donors and next-generation philanthropists, and partners with the CEO and volunteer leadership on high-level relationships. The first-year priorities include maintaining Annual Campaign momentum, strengthening major and principal gift strategies, advancing the Now & Forever Endowment Campaign, building an integrated pipeline for legacy and endowment giving, clarifying team priorities and accountability, and supporting effective adoption of the new CRM. Success will be reflected in sustained philanthropic revenue growth, stronger donor acquisition and retention, deeper major-donor relationships, progress on campaign priorities, and a collaborative, high-performing Development team. The position is full-time and exempt, based in West Hartford, Connecticut. It requires significant in-person donor and community engagement, regular attendance at meetings and events, occasional evening and weekend commitments, and periodic travel. The anticipated salary range is $175,000–$200,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Requirements

Progressively responsible fundraising experience, including leadership of a development function, comprehensive fundraising program, or complex campaign.
Demonstrated record of personally securing significant major gifts, including six-figure commitments, and developing long-term donor relationships.
Experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing fundraising teams.
Broad experience across fundraising disciplines, with demonstrated expertise in major gifts, donor cultivation and stewardship, and comprehensive development strategy.
Strong strategic planning, forecasting, budgeting, and financial management skills, including setting measurable goals and evaluating fundraising performance.
Experience leveraging CRM systems, moves management, data, and development operations to support fundraising effectiveness.
Ability to build trust and strong working relationships with donors, volunteers, boards, CEOs, colleagues, and community partners.
Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, including the ability to inspire donors and articulate a compelling philanthropic vision.
Strong emotional intelligence, sound judgment, resilience, discretion, and ability to navigate complex organizational and interpersonal dynamics.
Ability to translate broad philanthropic strategy into clear priorities, disciplined execution, and measurable results.
Deep appreciation for Jewish values, Jewish community, Israel, and the diversity of Jewish life, and commitment to Federation’s mission.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience is preferred.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with annual giving, endowment, planned and legacy giving, and volunteer-driven philanthropy.
Experience in Jewish communal organizations or the Federation system is strongly preferred.
Accomplished candidates from other mission-driven philanthropic environments with a strong connection to Jewish communal values are encouraged to apply.
Advanced education or relevant professional credentials are valued.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop the Development team, establishing clear roles, goals, portfolios, performance expectations, and accountability.
Foster a collaborative, results-oriented team culture based on trust, clear communication, sound decision-making, professional growth, and shared accountability.
Establish performance metrics, revenue projections, and regular reporting practices to inform strategy, track progress, and support organizational decision-making.
Strengthen collaboration across Development and with Marketing & Communications, Finance, Impact, Technology, and other Federation areas.
Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and senior leadership team, aligning philanthropic strategy with communal priorities, organizational goals, and long-term vision.
Drive Annual Campaign growth by strengthening donor retention, increasing giving, and expanding participation.
Develop and execute major and principal gift strategies, personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding significant donors and prospects in partnership with the CEO and volunteer leadership.
Identify, cultivate, and engage new donors and next-generation philanthropists to build a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support.
Integrate annual giving, major gifts, planned and legacy giving, and endowment strategies into a comprehensive approach to lifetime donor engagement.
Advance the Now & Forever Endowment Campaign in collaboration with the Jewish Community Foundation, campaign leadership, and key volunteer partners.
Create meaningful opportunities for donors to connect with Federation’s mission, priorities, and impact.
Leverage data, technology, and disciplined portfolio and pipeline management to strengthen donor engagement, inform strategy, and improve fundraising results.
Introduce creative and innovative fundraising approaches that deepen relationships and strengthen donors’ long-term connection to Federation.
Represent the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and build relationships across the Jewish community and beyond.
Partner with the Board, Development Chair, campaign chairs, and volunteer leaders to advance philanthropic priorities and engage volunteers in fundraising.
Build and sustain relationships with synagogues, agencies, schools, businesses, foundations, community organizations, and other partners.
Inspire donors, volunteers, and community partners through a compelling articulation of Federation’s mission, impact, and vision for the future.
Represent Federation with credibility, warmth, sound judgment, and commitment to the community.