The Jewish Educational Center (JEC) is a longstanding, multi-division Jewish communal institution serving nearly 1,000 students and thousands of community members through its schools, synagogues, mikvaot, cemetery, day care, camps, and recreational services. For more than 80 years, the JEC has played a central role in shaping Jewish education and communal life in New Jersey.
Fundraising and operations at the JEC therefore take place across a diverse institutional ecosystem. This role requires an understanding of how to work across varied divisions, constituencies, and revenue models while advancing a shared mission and institutional strategy.
Position Overview
The Jewish Educational Center seeks a Director of Development to professionalize, integrate, and strengthen an already active fundraising operation across the full institution. The Director of Development will focus on organizing existing efforts, identifying new revenue opportunities embedded within current programs and services, and executing fundraising initiatives with discipline and momentum.
This role emphasizes execution, coordination, and institutional leverage. The Director of Development will work closely with professional and lay leadership to ensure that fundraising efforts are strategic, aligned, and effective across all divisions.
Core Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy and Execution
Professionalize and integrate fundraising efforts across all JEC divisions into a unified strategy and calendar.
Design and execute campaigns, initiatives, and events that generate near- and mid-term revenue.
Identify opportunities to monetize existing programs, activities, and community touchpoints.
Ensure fundraising activity is aligned with institutional priorities and operational realities.
Systems, Structure, and Operations
Build and manage systems, workflows, and tracking tools that support effective fundraising across divisions.
Establish clear metrics, timelines, and accountability for fundraising initiatives.
Improve coordination among professionals and lay leaders involved in development efforts.
Institutional Partnership and Culture
Partner closely with the Executive Director to align fundraising strategy with institutional operations and planning.
Work with professional and lay leadership to maintain and strengthen existing relationships and identify new opportunities for engagement and support.
Continue to build a culture of philanthropy across the institution and within the broader community.
Desired Qualities and Experience
Proven experience in fundraising or development leadership, ideally within education, nonprofit, or communal organizations.
Strong organizational skills and comfort creating systems from the ground up.
Demonstrated ability to build donor relationships and close gifts.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to represent the institution with warmth, professionalism, and credibility.
Alignment with the mission and values of a Torah-centered Jewish educational institution.
Timing and Compensation
The target start date is no later than July 1, with openness to an earlier start. Compensation will be competitive and may be adjusted to attract a high-caliber candidate, including those who may be relocating. Tuition benefits and additional incentives are available.
