Overview of AJWS

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is the leading Jewish organization working to fight poverty and defend human rights in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. By supporting hundreds of social change organizations on three continents and advocating for U.S. and international policies for human rights, we respond to pressing global issues—from disasters, authoritarianism and the climate crisis, to the persecution of women and minorities worldwide. With Jewish values and a global reach, AJWS is making a difference in millions of lives and bringing a more just and equitable world closer for all.

Overview of Team

The Development Division at AJWS is responsible for raising the revenue that supports AJWS’s grantmaking and advocacy. The Division includes the following departments: Institutional Giving, Major Gifts and Planned Giving, Development Operations and Donor Engagement. Members of the Division partner closely with the Communications and Marketing, Programs, Finance and Administration and People and Culture teams, as well as the Executive Office and Board of Trustees, instilling a culture of philanthropy across the organization. The Division is responsible for cultivating, stewarding and soliciting donors, building a deep connection and commitment to our work for our supporters. The Major Gifts team at AJWS is responsible for cultivating, stewarding and soliciting donors and prospects at the $10K plus level.

Position Summary

Working as a member of a high-performing-Major-Gifts team, Senior Development Officer (SDO), Major Gifts will identify, cultivate, steward and solicit a national portfolio of current and prospective donors to achieve and surpass fundraising targets and goals. The SDO, Major Gifts reports to the Director, Development and their portfolio of donors will be national rather than region-specific.

Every team member of the Development Division contributes to achieving our annual fundraising goal.

Travel Required.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects;
• In consultation with the Director, develop clear short-term and long-range plans for the portfolio that are both realistic and challenging;
• Successfully identify prospects, funding opportunities and strategies that will help achieve annual and longer-term development goals;
• Together with the Director, create a comprehensive annual strategy for each donor and use the moves management system to move donors and prospects through the pipeline;
• Monitor fundraising results against projections;
• Speak and write articulately about American Jewish World Service, its mission, policies, culture, values, history, key stakeholders, programs and finances;
• Draft and edit written materials to donors and prospects including stewardship, cultivation and solicitation emails, proposals and reports;
• Plan trips for senior leadership and program staff to meet with donors and speak at events;
• Establish trust, maintain strong relationships and develop partnerships with all AJWS and stakeholders;
• Collaborate with divisional colleagues on events, stewardship activities and database reports;
• Stay abreast of philanthropic, economic, social, and community trends related to American Jewish World Service.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree;
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in major gifts fundraising, including direct solicitation, within complex and dynamic mission driven nonprofit organizations;
• Demonstrated achievement identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors making gifts between $10,000-$50,000;
• Significant experience maintaining strong relationships internally and externally;
• Proven ability to conceptualize and describe funding needs in a compelling way;
• Knowledge of Salesforce or a similar database;
• Familiarity with donor research and screening tools;
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills;
• Track record of creative problem-solving, setting and meeting goals, strategic thinking, resourcefulness, and ability to meet strict deadlines;
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally;
• Passion for and commitment to AJWS’s mission and values.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Event planning experience;
• International human rights knowledge;
• Knowledge of, and comfort with, the Jewish community.

Additional Information:

• Salary Range: $77,000-$100,250
• This role is full time (40 HRS), Exempt
• This is a union position

Location:

Remote – US-based, location-specific (NY-metro area)
*This role is flexible in nature, having some responsibilities that can be performed virtually from a home office and some responsibilities that must be performed near an AJWS donor center.

Compensation and Benefits Information

• AJWS is committed to a salary framework that aligns with our culture and values. The compensation range reflected is in alignment with our framework and individual pay decisions will vary based on skills and experience while still allowing for growth.
• Paid Time Off: 15-22 Federal and religious holidays off each year in addition to generous vacation and sick days;
• Full health benefits coverage with minimal contribution by employees;
• 403(b): 4.25% company match (safe harbor);
• Flexible Spending Account and Commuter Benefits;
• Workplace flexibility and generous leave policy.

Additional Considerations

Black, Indigenous and People of Color; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Intersex, Trans and Gender non-conforming people; women; and differently abled people are encouraged to apply. We also encourage applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds.

As an organization committed to promoting social justice around the world, it is essential that we incorporate a diverse, equitable and inclusive lens into all aspects of our work at AJWS. We encourage applicants with a global perspective and a commitment to values around diversity, equity, and inclusion to apply.

Authorization to work in the US is required.

How to Apply

For immediate consideration, apply below. Applications submitted without a resume and personalized cover letter will not be considered. We thank you for your interest in career opportunities with AJWS. Due to high volume, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.