Philanthropy Officer, Southeast

Philanthropy Officer, Southeast

BACKGROUND

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, widely known as "the university that built the nation of Israel," was founded on Mount Scopus in 1918 (30 years before the founding of the State of Israel) by visionaries including Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Chaim Weizmann, and Martin Buber. Opened in 1925, The Hebrew University is now Israel's premier academic institution and the country's research powerhouse. The Hebrew University enrolls more than 24,000 students from Israel and 80 other countries in its seven academic Faculties (Humanities, Science, Law, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Dental Medicine, and Medicine) and 14 schools. Its students, faculty, and alumni have won eight Nobel Prizes. 

 AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY (AFHU)

AFHU is a national, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in New York City. AFHU was founded in 1925 to raise awareness of, and support for, the Hebrew University. Philanthropy helps to advance the University’s premier research and educational programs, provides scholarships and fellowships, and supports priority capital projects.

AFHU's national and regional programs, events, and missions to Israel promote a greater appreciation of Hebrew University's breadth and scope of achievements and the University's pivotal role in educating leaders for the State of Israel, and beyond.  Moreover, by nurturing Israel's greatest natural resource—the intellectual strength of the nation's people—AFHU helps The Hebrew University improve human health, lead the way with agricultural innovation, spearhead the latest breakthroughs in brain sciences, and illuminate the world through the humanities.

Led by Chief Executive Officer, Joshua Rednik in New York, AFHU has a staff of 45 professionals located in its national headquarters in New York City and across its regional offices in the Southeast, West Coast, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and Midwest. 

With an endowment of over $700 million, AFHU raises $60 to 65 million a year, and is growing.  AFHU’s philanthropic contribution is over half of the University’s overall fundraising revenue each year. 

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is an opportunity to align yourself with one of the world's top universities.  The University routinely receives international attention for advances in medicine, the invention of new drug platforms, major archaeological discoveries, and international partnerships reflective of the University's global stature. Hebrew University offers donors and prospects a wealth of investments to interest their philanthropic giving.  Donors can leverage their gifts, knowing that research and discoveries made at Hebrew University help Israel and the world.

The Philanthropy Officer for the Southeast Region will report directly to the National Director of Development, who oversees the region’s fundraising program. The southeast team consists of four professionals.

The Southeast is a top-performing AFHU-region, raising between $6 and $8 million annually. The region has strong and committed volunteer leadership and hosts multiple events, of varying sizes, every year.

  The Philanthropy Officer will be a pivotal member of the team and primarily work to raise philanthropic support for AFHU. This position will directly cultivate, solicit, and steward donors who are both existing contributors to AFHU, and new to the organization. Working toward meeting, or exceeding, annual metrics, the Philanthropy Officer will maintain a high level of donor activity including face-to-face meetings, phone calls, emails, and event participation. The successful candidate will need to be a self-starter, ready to proactively begin outreach and hit the ground running.

Additionally, he/she/they will have the seasoning and experience to segment and prioritize a donor portfolio. The ideal candidate will have experience working with donor communities in the Southeast region, bringing an understanding of the local Jewish philanthropic landscape to the work.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

·    Partner with the Southeast Regional Team to develop strategic plans and implement and evaluate major gift campaigns.

·      Develop and manage a portfolio of gift prospects in the Southeast Region at different stages of the development process; design and implement strategies for their identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

·      Pursue proactive prospect outreach, develop programs to attract new donors, and help further the planned giving program.

·      Plan, execute and manage high-level fundraising events and parlor meetings and generate new and exciting programs for outreach to expand the donor base, including the next generation of donors with major gift potential, and past participants of the Hebrew University including through its Rothberg International School (i.e. study abroad and summer programs).

·      Collaborate effectively with the regional team, national office, and other regions to ensure maximum fundraising effectiveness to meet fundraising goals.

·      Work strategically with lay leaders to encourage them to build bridges and utilize their networks to help develop stronger relationships with other lay leaders, prospects, and donors.

·     Serve as an enthusiastic and well-informed spokesperson for AFHU and Hebrew University; continuously learn about University programs, research, and developments, and share them with selected donors and prospects.

·     Plan fundraising visits of the University faculty with donors and prospects in the region and one-on-one meetings to make the University relevant to donors and prospects.

·    Ability to travel throughout the region.

·     Openness to travel to Israel when deemed appropriate.

  QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

·    At least five-seven years of successful fundraising experience within a Jewish communal, higher education, or nonprofit setting; sales experience in the private sector is also welcomed.

·   Bachelor's degree is required.

·    Significant and successful experience in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting gifts from individual and family foundations.

·   Familiarity with the Jewish philanthropic communities throughout the Southeast Region and acquainted with issues about Israel.

·   Must be a self-starter, work independently, yet be a part of a team.

·   Outstanding interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills are a necessity.

·    Ability to work highly collegially within a complex national and international organizational culture.

·   Be an ambitious and motivated development professional who values a results-driven and highly collaborative work environment.

·   Have a strong work ethic, be determined and decisive, and exhibit sound judgment and grace under pressure.

·    Be innovative, tenacious, and motivated to take on new challenges.

·   A deep personal resonance with the mission of the Hebrew University and the keen ability to present the case for support to prospects and donors.

·   Excellent computer skills; proficient in Microsoft Suite, Raiser's Edge, and other relevant programs, databases, and reporting systems.

  PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

·       A demonstrated ability to plan and operate strategically, to build public support, to develop and strengthen fundraising infrastructure, to inspire staff, to develop strong working relationships with volunteer leadership, and to develop effective fundraising programs.

·       Demonstrated ability to plan, set goals and objectives, organize, and implement to completion.

·       A strong interpersonal and communication skill set and demonstrated ability to work effectively with and gain the respect and support of varied and changing constituencies including staff, volunteer leadership, existing and potential donors, volunteers, and other key

stakeholders.

·       A track record as an effective communicator skilled at writing and public speaking; adept at writing proposals, solicitation letters, donor correspondence, and other types of materials to enhance fundraising.

·       Ability to prioritize multiple projects and responsibilities and to operate both independently and with the flexibility to be part of a team.

·       Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment with complex and evolving relationships and priorities.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. American Friends of the Hebrew University management reserves the right to amend and change.

American Friends of the Hebrew University is an equal employment employer.

A competitive compensation package will be offered to attract an outstanding candidate.

The budgeted salary range is $120-140k .

AFHU offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to Medical and Dental Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403B Retirement Savings Plan, TransitChek Program, Employee Assistance Program as well as a generous time off/holiday policy