JOB DETAILS

Director of Development

CompanyJewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit
LocationWest Bloomfield
Work ModeOn Site
PostedJune 2, 2026
About The Company
Our Mission Inspired by Jewish values, we improve lives through service. Our History Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit (JFS) came into being as two local relief organizations -- the Hebrew Ladies Sewing Circle and the Self Help Circle -- joined in a commitment to meet the needs of the local Jewish community. JFS incorporated in 1928, with the specific mission of “Finding homes for orphan children and supplying homemakers for families with an ill or absent mother.” Before World War II, JFS helped Jewish families new to the country acculturate to life in Detroit and provided assistance to ensure their safety and well-being. After the Holocaust, JFS’ work changed dramatically, as the agency worked tirelessly to resettle and serve the material and psychological needs of Holocaust Survivors. In subsequent years, JFS joined with local and national partners to resettle thousands of Jewish Refugees from the Former Soviet Union. Over the course of 96 years, JFS has evolved into a comprehensive social service provider, helping individuals and families within the Jewish and broader communities. Our Services JFS currently operates 30 separate programs with a combined budget of more than $28 million, carried out by a staff of more than 100. These programs serve thousands in our community each year, with services uniquely tailored to individuals’ and families’ specific needs. The agency's programming centers on three core areas: safety net services for individuals and families, counseling services, and services for older adults.
About the Role

Director of Development

Reports to the Chief Development Officer 

 

Job Summary

The Director of Development partners with the Chief Development Officer to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies that secure philanthropic and volunteer support for the organization. This role oversees annual giving and leads fundraising efforts, managing a portfolio of donors and prospects while cultivating meaningful relationships that advance the agency’s mission. This role supervises a team of two and works collaboratively with the CDO, CEO and the marketing team, the Director of Development ensures cohesive organizational messaging that inspires support and raises critical funds for community services. 

Principal Accountabilities

  • Fund Development – In conjunction with the CDO, participate as a team member to create and implement a goal-oriented fund-raising program to further develop philanthropic opportunities at JFS including annual giving, major gifts (including endowments), sponsorships, events, named funds and testamentary giving. The DOD will work with the CDO to maximize opportunities through the Jewish Federation, with respect to agency guidelines. This individual will lead our major fundraising campaigns during the year and develop strategies, timelines and segmented solicitations for each campaign.
  • Ambassadorship – Work with the CDO on selected Board committees or sub-committees focused on fund-raising and marketing initiatives. Work in coordination with the CDO and the CEO on the JFS Endowment Campaign. Develop and lead solicitation training efforts with the board and others engaged in philanthropic fundraising efforts. 
  • Donor Prospecting – Identify prospective individual, corporate and foundation donors for JFS cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Where appropriate, new donors will be assigned to others on the fundraising team or maintained in the portfolio of the Director of Development.
  • Technology – Work with selected staff to maximize use of data from the donor database for the purposes of gift entry, data collection, mailings, campaigns, donor stewardship, prospecting, gift renewals, and upgrades. Guide the processes of the use of the development database through supervision of the development team members.
  • Marketing – Collaborate with the communications manager and the volunteer staff to create and promote fund raising and philanthropic opportunities within all volunteer programs and communication materials and projects. 
  • Agency Representation – Make presentations, attend community events, and participate in professional development opportunities, as appropriate, on behalf of the organization. Be visible and engage with donors/community members at Jewish Family Service sponsored events such as Fall Fix Up, the Spotlight Event and the JFS Annual Meeting.
  • Supervision – the Director of Development will supervise other members of the Development team including the Senior Development Associate and the Development Data Coordinator: this includes weekly individual supervision meetings.
  • Continued Education – Participate in ongoing learning opportunities from the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies. Maintain current on ethics and new trends impacting development. Review best practice standards and implement new practices and procedures as needed. Participate in free trainings offered by the agency for further personal and professional growth. 
  • Security and Privacy – Adhere to agency and client protection policies by regularly acclimating yourself with the JFS privacy, safety and security policies made available within the employee handbook.
  • Employee Philanthropy – Participate annually in agency and partner related philanthropic activities and campaigns. 
  • Mission Dedication – Embody the mission and values of JFS in all work done on behalf of the agency. 
  • Misc. – Other duties as assigned by the CDO to further the culture of philanthropy at JFS.

 

Minimum Qualifications 

Experience: 4-6 years of experience in development with a Jewish non-profit and/or human service agency

Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree preferred, or equivalent experience

Certifications or Licenses Required: CFRE preferred

 

Minimum Competencies 

Skills

  • Technology – The successful DOD will not only be able to navigate Raiser’s Edge NXT CRM software, but also utilize Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to effectively communicate with staff, leaders, funders, and other professionals.
  • Analytics – The DOD must be able to conduct data analysis to discover, communicate, and generalize meaningful patterns and trends for fund evaluation and strategic planning purposes.
  • Interpersonal – The DOD has strong interpersonal skills and is committed to quality donor service. Furthermore, this individual can utilize intuition and creativity to assess and connect donors’ interests to opportunities.
  • Communication – The DOD can communicate clearly and effectively in writing. This role works closely with the marketing team to tailor donor communications (both written and digital) for campaigns with an eye for strategic donor language based on strategy, donor audience and agency needs.

 

 

Knowledge

  • Public policy – Maintains knowledge of current public policy trends related to health and human services to progressively seek resources for future agency needs. 
  • Cultural competence – Recognizes specialized service needs of unique sub-populations within the Jewish community (such as Eastern European immigrants, religiously observant, LGBTQ, Holocaust Survivors etc.)

Behaviors

  • Collegiality – Able to work collaboratively with a team and build a rapport with colleagues. Can build and maintain a professional network for purposes of strategic collaboration.
  • Leadership – Serve as a leader of the organization and as part of the Full Administration Team. Attend select meetings for agency leadership. Sets an example through participation and support for work of the agency. Guides others with a positive attitude to help accomplish the goals of the agency.
  • Motivational – Possesses an inner drive, professionally communicates a clear vision and creates an environment in which employees are fully engaged in contributing to that vision.
  • Outgoing – Excited to meet new community members and potential donors and share the mission of JFS. Is willing to attend JFS events as a representative of the agency as well as other community professional events as an ambassador.
  • People management – Able to effectively supervise a team, establish accountability, monitor goals, communicate clear expectations and feedback about progress towards priorities.
  • Drive – Embraces continuous improvement on both personal and organizational levels.

 

How to Apply – Interested & qualified candidates should forward their resume & salary requirements to HR@jfsdetroit.org

 

Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer

 

 

 

Key Skills
Fundraising StrategyDonor ProspectingMajor GiftsDonor StewardshipRaiser's Edge NXTData AnalysisPeople ManagementStrategic PlanningInterpersonal CommunicationPublic SpeakingBudgetingMarketing Collaboration
Categories
Management & LeadershipSocial ServicesMarketingFinance & AccountingAdministrative
Job Information
📋Core Responsibilities
The Director of Development creates and implements comprehensive fundraising strategies to secure philanthropic support and manage a portfolio of donors. This role supervises a development team and collaborates with executive leadership to ensure cohesive organizational messaging and fund growth.
📋Job Type
full time
📊Experience Level
5-10
💼Company Size
69
📊Visa Sponsorship
No
💼Language
English
🏢Working Hours
40 hours
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