Development Officer - Community Engagement

The Development Officer will spearhead our outreach to Jewish schools, synagogues, and community organizations in the East Coast with the goal to grow the outreach nationally, creating a new fundraising channel for the organization. This role blends relationship-building, event planning, donor engagement, and solicitation of small to mid-level gifts. The successful candidate will be a self-starter who thrives on forging new partnerships, inspiring community involvement, and compelling storytelling skills.

This is a unique opportunity to shape a brand-new fundraising channel and leave a lasting imprint on the growth of our organization. You’ll join a passionate, mission-driven team and be empowered to build meaningful connections that make a real difference.

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 Development Officer?

• Develop and implement a targeted outreach strategy to introduce our work and build a strong donor pipeline in this untapped sector
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit small to mid-level gifts from individuals, schools, synagogues, and community organizations within the Jewish community in New York and expanding nationally over time
• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors, tracking engagement, pledges, and follow-up
• Plan and execute events and presentations to increase awareness and support for our mission
• Build and Strengthen partnerships with community leaders, clergy, and educators
• Work closely with the Senior Development Officer and development team to align strategies and leverage best practices
• Represent the organization at community events, meetings, and relevant forums

What qualifications are required to be our Development Officer?

• 4–6 years of experience in fundraising, community relations, or a related field, with proven success in donor engagement or community outreach
• Strong knowledge of and connections within the Jewish community (schools, synagogues, and/or community networks preferred)
• Basic knowledge of American Jewish culture
• Excellent relationship building, listening, communication, and public speaking skills, with the ability to inspire and engage diverse audiences
• Proactivity, entrepreneurialism, and resourcefulness
• Comfortable working both on one’s own and within a team; ability to work cross-functionally with staff at all levels
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Interest in fundraising, curiosity, and a learning/growth mindset
• Passion for the work of JDC and global Jewish issues
• Willingness to travel within the New York area and across the East Coast initially and then across the United States as the role evolves.

Additional Preferred Skills and Competencies:

• Experience in event planning and/or grassroots fundraising campaigns.
• Familiarity with donor database systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar CRMs)
• Familiarity with Israel and global Jewry

Additional Details

• Employment Type: Full-time
• Hours: 35 hours/week, 8:45 AM – 4:45PM with a 1-hour lunch break
• Location: Hybrid from New York, NY in office Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Reports to: Senior Development Officer
• Job Function/Department: Resource Development
• Other: Day-to-day travel within the New York Metro Area required; Some travel across the east coast and nationally anticipated

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.

What are the compensation and benefits for a Development Officer?

This is a full-time position paid semi-monthly at a salary of $80,000-$90,000 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