Senior Development Officer - East Coast

We are seeking a bold and entrepreneurial Senior Development Officer (SDO) to serve as a front-line fundraiser representing JDC throughout the East Coast. This dynamic leader will be instrumental in driving JDC’s mission forward—pursuing strategic opportunities with tenacity, cultivating meaningful relationships, and meeting each challenge with creativity and resilience. The SDO will be responsible for stewarding a portfolio of individual and foundation donors, deepening partnerships with Jewish Federations, and identifying and engaging major gift prospects in alignment with JDC’s fundraising strategy and long-term growth priorities. This role focuses on securing significant philanthropic investments, with an emphasis on five, six, and seven-figure commitments.

This is an opening for one SDO to be based in the New York Tri-State Area or Boston. We do not have multiple openings on the east coast.

Thinking about applying?

Frequently cited statistics show that certain applicants may hesitate to apply for positions due to a false perception that they must meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage you to apply if you meet a majority of the requirements. We look forward to your application.

What will you do as a Senior Development Officer?

• Proactively Identify, research, engage, and cultivate a pipeline of high potential individuals, foundations, and corporate donors for new, renewed or increased ($50K - $1M+) gifts for JDC’s priority and budget programs.
• Develop and meet your individual and departmental fundraising goals and metrics
• Strengthen and deepen strategic funding relationships with key JDC stakeholders and major philanthropic partners, including select Jewish Federations. Cultivate relationships with lay leadership, Board members and trustees of Federations and other significant Jewish organizations.
• Develop and plan innovative donor engagement activities, ranging from intimate briefings to large scale events, travel to the field, virtual campaigns, and speaker tours.
• Represent JDC’s global impact and vision to a range of audiences, tailoring messaging to resonate with diverse philanthropic motivations and interests.
• Maintain up-to-date records of donor interactions and moves management in JDC’s CRM.
• Work closely with units across RD and the global organization to ensure alignment at all levels, including identification of donors, outreach and solicitation, identifying funding needs, communication and messaging
• Participate in special projects, cross-functional initiatives, and donor-related assignments as needed.

What qualifications are required to be our Senior Development Officer?

• 10-15+ years of professional fundraising experience including substantial experience in closing five- and six-figure gifts (and ideally seven-figure gifts). 
• Fearless and resilient approach to fundraising. Proven success in soliciting and closing major gifts, and in building and maintaining relationships with major individual donors
• Experience raising funds for Jewish non-profits and working with donors in the Jewish community
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including an intuitive ability to understand donor motivations and speak to their values.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills, able to inspire confidence, trust, and enthusiasm, whether one-on-one or in front of a large audience.
• Self-starter with a results-driven mindset, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Technologically fluent with donor CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge, NXT, Salesforce, etc.
• Ability to travel locally on a regular basis, meeting with donors, Federation leadership and prospects in communities across the east coast. Ability to travel domestically 8-10 times and overseas 1-3 times annually.

Additional Preferred Skills and Competencies:

• Experience in fundraising for overseas/global organizations.
• Experience working for a large (100+ employees) and/or complex international organization
• Familiarity with Israel and global Jewish communities
• CFRE certification
• Ability to operate computer keyboard and other office equipment
• Ability to communicate in person and over the telephone

Additional Details

• Employment Type: Full-time
• Hours: 35 hours/week, 8:45 AM – 4:45PM with a 1-hour lunch break
• Location: Based either hybrid from the New York metro area or remotely from the Boston metro area.
• Reports to: Senior Fundraising Officer
• Job Function/Department: Resource Development

What are the compensation and benefits for a Senior Development Officer?

This is a full-time position paid semi-monthly at a salary of $180,000-$250,000 per year; in determining where a candidate falls in that range JDC considers several factors, including skills and experience, internal equity, and cost of living in location of work. This role is exempt per the FLSA.

We offer an excellent benefits package, including but not limited to:

• 100% paid medical and dental insurance for employee coverage
• Paid time off, including 20 vacation days, 20 sick days, 3 personal days, 10 national holidays, and up to 14 Jewish holidays depending on the Jewish calendar for any given year
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave for full-time staff who have worked with JDC for at least 1 year
• 403(b) with JDC contributions of 6.5% of salary
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), commuter benefits, and life insurance
• Learning & Development: Ongoing opportunities for professional development through workshops and trainings with our internal L&D program
• Food Perks: Bagel Thursdays and beverages/snacks in the office for on-site and hybrid employees

Why work at JDC?

• The People – What we hear most from our team members is that they enjoy working with others who share their passion for doing good; Our staff aim to use their skills to make a positive difference in the lives of others
• A Global Environment – you will have the opportunity to develop a global perspective, working with staff from the U.S., Israel, the Former Soviet Union, and all over the world
• Tikkun Olam – This Jewish value of “repairing the world” is deeply important to us. Collectively we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of others

Equal Employment Opportunity

JDC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As the world’s leading global Jewish humanitarian organization, we are committed to treating people with compassion and respect. All qualified applications will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, reproductive health decision-making, marital status, height, weight, disability, mental disorder, familial status, veteran status, genetic information, AIDS/HIV-positive status, victim of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

Apply Now!

Submit your resume here.

Application Deadline: Rolling

Expected Start Date: ASAP

Please note: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.  

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About JDC

JDC -- the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee or "The Joint" -- is the leading Jewish humanitarian organization, working in 70 countries to lift lives and strengthen communities. We rescue Jews in danger, provide aid to vulnerable Jews, develop innovative solutions to Israel’s most complex social challenges, cultivate a Jewish future, and lead the Jewish community’s response to crises. For over 100 years, our work has put the timeless Jewish value of mutual responsibility into action, making JDC essential to the survival of millions of people and the advancement of Jewish life across the globe.

For more information, please visit www.JDC.org.