Managing Director, Philanthropic Strategy and Partnerships

About Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund

As a center for Jewish philanthropy, the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund (the Federation) mobilizes assets to support the most pressing issues of our time, while building and sustaining thriving Jewish communities in the Bay Area, Israel and beyond for generations to come. The Federation offers meaningful opportunities to inspire personal and collaborative philanthropy, and facilitates grantmaking, impact lending, and advocacy to make the world a better place.

Guided by Jewish values, the Federation operates as a community foundation, partnering with individuals and families to implement their charitable visions as well as to connect and strengthen the Jewish non-profit sector. In 2022, the Federation granted and loaned more than $245 million, making it the single largest funder of Jewish causes in the state of California. Learn more about the Federation. 

The Federation team of highly motivated and qualified professionals applies a diverse range of backgrounds and skill sets to building a new model of 21st century and next generation philanthropy and Federation engagement. 

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join a high-performing team dedicated to supporting the Bay Area Jewish community. Based in San Francisco, the Managing Director of Philanthropic Strategy and Partnerships (MD) will play a critical role in the newly formed philanthropy team that holistically blends fundraising, engagement, and advising to better serve donors’ needs. 

The MD will guide and advise a select group of high-capacity donors, foundations, and DAF holders on their journey from awareness to giving and engagement in Federation programs and priorities. The MD will also serve as a thought partner and deputy to the Chief Philanthropy Officer on key strategic considerations. The MD role will be crucial to the effective execution of the Federation’s overarching strategic plan. With their background as a philanthropic advisor or a sophisticated front-line fundraiser and campaign leader, the MD will inspire trust, support, and buy-in by taking a confident, best practice approach to leading the team to achievement of goals. 

Key Responsibilities

The MD’s core responsibilities will be to manage their team in successfully executing a robust, high-quality philanthropic advising practice and fundraising program, raising more than $14M annually, as well as collaborating effectively across the other teams at the Federation.  

The MD will report to the Chief Philanthropy Officer Operating Officer and manage approximately seven direct reports.

Strategy 

• In collaboration with the Chief Philanthropy Officer, develop and refine strategies, policies, and systems to position the Federation as the center for Bay Area Jewish philanthropy, with a robust philanthropic advisory practice, legacy giving program, and successful annual fundraising campaign(s)   
• Keep current on latest trends and issues in philanthropy and related technologies to inform strategies and practices

Goal Setting and Management 

• Refine and develop goals, KPIs, strategies, systems and policies that ensure successful donor cultivation, advisory/support, engagement, education, and stewardship
• Mentor and motivate the Integrated Philanthropy team to meet, measure, and evaluate goals and performance
• Manage and supervise the day-to-day operations of the integrated philanthropy team, including but not limited to philanthropy advisory, donor stewardship and events, legacy gift planning, and campaign/fundraising 

Advising and Fundraising 

• Develop sustained relationships and engage with a select group of high-capacity donors and foundations, providing philanthropic advisory services
• Solicit major and planned gifts
• Fully brief relevant professional staff (including the CPO and CEO), board members and lay committees for all interactions with donors, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

Cross Organization Collaboration

• Support productive and collaborative partnerships inside Federation in the design and delivery of compelling philanthropy experiences (including events, collateral, and other marketing materials) for donors, funders, and other shared constituents

Ideal Candidate

First and foremost, the Federation seeks a leader with a genuine interest in and connection to the Jewish community. An understanding of the Bay Area’s Jewish culture and community is preferred. Candidates should be mission-driven and have an authentic commitment to the enrichment of the Jewish community and a desire to build community-led philanthropy.

The ideal candidate is either an experienced philanthropic advisor or a sophisticated frontline fundraiser and team manager. They have demonstrated success in soliciting and closing major gifts and leading campaigns.  They are adept at using marketing tools and strategies related to charitable and planned gifts.

The candidate possesses not only the requisite skills but also exudes a confident, engaging presence. They are able to hold their own with high-level donors, multigenerational family members,  and other stakeholders, while instilling trust in their expertise and strategic thinking.  They actively seek out opportunities to demonstrate the value of philanthropy in the community.

The position calls for a player-coach with a track record of successfully managing results-oriented teams. This individual enjoys coaching and managing others to a high level of performance and professional fulfillment.  They excel at motivating and organizing a team, setting priorities, and delegating responsibilities to ensure the successful implementation and completion of multiple and varied projects and programs. They possess the flexibility to seamlessly transition between high-level strategic thinking and active engagement in hands-on execution. 

Outstanding relationship-building and interpersonal skills are essential to foster productive relationships across the Federation. A collegial, diplomatic, and positive attitude, coupled with a strong orientation towards teamwork to achieve results will serve the successful candidate well. The ideal candidate approaches their work with an open mind, an entrepreneurial spirit, and flexibility in an evolving philanthropic landscape.  They model respect for others’ time and work needs, and proactively keep others informed. Furthermore, they should possess excellent written and verbal communications skills that are demonstrated in all interactions internally and externally. 

Candidates must be willing to travel the extent of the Federation’s service area (Sonoma County to Palo Alto) to visit agencies, attend volunteer committee meetings, and participate in key community events, as well as (on a limited basis) to travel nationally or internationally as appropriate for conferences, missions, etc. 

Experience that includes 7-10 years of managing large teams as well as leadership experience in relationship management in a philanthropy, fundraising, or advancement context with increasing levels of responsibility is essential. 

Salary and Location

The anticipated salary range for this position is $200,000 – $230,000. The role is based in San Francisco. Currently all Federation staff work in the office two days a week with a limited number of fully remote employees approved on an exception basis). 

Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund EEO Statement

The Federation views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a company culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible talent pool to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. The Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund is an equal opportunity employer.

To Be Considered

Please submit your resume and cover letter expressing your interest in the position and fit for the role via the “Become a Candidate” button on the position profile. Letters may be addressed to Melissa Merritt.