Director, Philanthropy Strategy

Description

Organization Summary:

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that mobilizes the community to care for those in need, activate Jewish life, safeguard the people of Israel, and combat antisemitism and hatred locally and in more than 70 countries worldwide. Each year, Federation engages thousands of donors and volunteers to generate tens of millions of dollars in philanthropic support, sustaining a network that delivers critical services, builds community, and responds to urgent challenges. Staff play a direct role in advancing this work across the Palm Beaches and beyond.

Position Summary:

The Director of Philanthropy Strategy serves as a key member of the Development team, responsible for designing and executing a data-driven fundraising strategy that integrates prospect development, portfolio management, and operational excellence. The role unifies prospect strategy and development operations to drive measurable growth across Annual Campaign, Leadership Giving, Major Gifts, Meyer Community Foundation, and Capital Campaign initiatives. 

Reporting to the Vice President of Philanthropy Strategy, the Director leads the application of prospect management best practices, ensuring a disciplined, donor-centric approach to identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship across Jewish Palm Beach households. The role establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate fundraising effectiveness, portfolio health, and revenue outcomes, translating data into actionable insights for frontline fundraisers, managers, and senior leadership.

Working cross-functionally with Campaign Operations, Reporting, and other internal partners, the Director fosters accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, serving as a central driver of sustained fundraising performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Portfolio & Moves Management: Percentage of Time: 40%

• Lead the design and oversight of a comprehensive prospect management and moves management system for Jewish Palm Beach households, in partnership with PER leadership.
• Own portfolio strategy and health, including segmentation, tiering, coverage, and ongoing rebalancing to ensure optimal pipeline performance.
• Establish and oversee the systems and norms that guide frontline portfolio management, including assignments, activity expectations (meetings, solicitations, follow-up), and defined next steps for all $25,000+ donors and prospects.
• Align ask strategies with giving history and estimated capacity; track donor advancement across giving levels.
• Lead annual portfolio reviews and ongoing “portfolio hygiene,” including reassignment and strategy refinement.
• Facilitate regular prospect strategy sessions with gift officers and lead quarterly cross-functional pipeline reviews.
• Partner with managers and frontline fundraisers to optimize portfolios, refine donor strategies, and elevate high-potential donors.
• Ensure alignment and coordination across Annual Campaign, Leadership Giving, Major Gifts, Meyer Community Foundation, and Capital Campaign efforts.
• Oversee the assignment of donors and prospects to portfolios and fundraising channels to maximize engagement and results.

Prospecting, Research & Data Management: Percentage of Time: 20%

• Identify and evaluate prospects across Annual Campaign, Leadership Giving, Major Gifts, and Meyer Community Foundation, and Capital Campaign, ensuring portfolios are accurate, current, and aligned to fundraising goals.
• Leverage internal data, wealth screenings, and external research to expand and strengthen the prospect pipeline. 
• Manage relationships and workflows with external research vendors and screening partners.
• Recommend and facilitate movement of prospects across portfolios and fundraising channels.
• Serve as CRM subject matter expert for prospect management, ensuring consistent use, strong data integrity, and continuous system improvement.
• Oversee tracking of prospect research, portfolio activity, and donor movement with CRM.

Performance Management, Reporting & Process Improvement: Percentage of Time: 40%

• Define and monitor KPIs and benchmarks to assess pipeline health, portfolio performance, donor progression, and fundraiser effectiveness.
• Lead the development of reporting frameworks and tools, including dashboards, gift tables, and performance scorecards, to drive decision-making and transparency.
• Partner with the CRM and reporting teams to deliver actionable insights and analysis.
• Align systems, processes, and data to support scalable, high-performing fundraising operations.
• Contribute to campaign planning, goal setting, and overall fundraising strategy.
• Serve as a thought partner to senior leadership on growth opportunities and innovation, including the use of AI and predictive modeling.
• Collaborate with internal teams, agencies, and stakeholders to align priorities and enhance donor engagement.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Model a donor-centered, mission-driven approach to fundraising.
  
  Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Success Factors:

• Bachelor’s degree required. 
• 5+ years of prospect research, prospect management, or nonprofit fundraising (or related) experience.
• Experience working with frontline fundraisers and proven skills in producing actionable results for gift officers, including developing reports to analyze portfolio and proposal pipeline performance; 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with frontline fundraisers, executive staff, and other colleagues.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with business technology and fundraising databases (CRM).
• Passion for the Jewish community, Israel and familiarity with Jewish calendar and lifecycle

Work Environment:

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is committed to creating a workplace where employees feel supported, valued, and connected to our mission. Our offices are located in a beautiful facility in West Palm Beach, providing a professional and welcoming environment for both staff and visitors. The building is secured during business hours with dedicated safety personnel to help ensure a safe and supportive workplace.

Federation prioritizes employee well-being and professional growth through a collaborative culture and a dedicated employee wellness program that promotes physical, mental, and emotional health. Employees also benefit from a wide range of professional development opportunities, including in-house courses through Federation University, cross-departmental trainings, conference participation, professional certifications, and involvement in fellowships and leadership cohorts.

Employees of the Federation also enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial security, and work-life balance, including: Health & Wellness Benefits • Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, and vision plans • Disability and life insurance coverage • A dedicated employee wellness program focused on overall well-being 

Time Off & Work-Life Balance • Generous paid time off • Paid Jewish and U.S. holidays • Early office closings on Fridays in observance of Shabbat • Early closings on many holiday eves

Financial Benefits • 401 (k) retirement plan with employer contribution • pre-tax benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)

Pay Rate:

We benchmark our salary ranges for new hires in relation to the role, level, and role location; however, we consider a multitude of factors, to include relevant experience, skills, and education/training, to determine compensation within the identified range.

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time at Federation’s discretion. Employment is at-will, and this job description is not an employment contract. Nothing herein shall be deemed to create in any way whatsoever an employment contract.