Director of Development
Frankel Jewish Academy, Detroit, MI, United States
Director of Development
Join a vibrant, mission-driven school community! Frankel Jewish Academy seeks a visionary, strategic, and collaborative Director of Development to lead our fundraising, advancement, and community engagement efforts in support of our commitment to academic excellence and Jewish values. If you are passionate about building relationships, driving institutional growth, and making a meaningful impact on students' lives, we want to meet you. Frankel Jewish Academy is a rigorous college preparatory high school dedicated to academic excellence and Jewish literacy. We inspire students to think critically, creatively, and compassionately, dedicating themselves to Jewish tradition, peoplehood, and the State of Israel, and to become lifelong learners and leaders. Ideal prospective candidates: Strategic and relationship-driven leader with a strong fundraising background Minimum of 5 years of development experience, preferably in an independent school or nonprofit setting Proven success in donor cultivation, major gifts, and campaign management Excellent communicator with strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills Effective team manager with experience mentoring and supporting staff Proficient in fundraising software and donor management tools Collaborative, organized, and goal-oriented Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership & Fundraising Lead the design and execution of a comprehensive development program, including annual giving, major/planned giving, capital and endowment campaigns, and special projects. Develop and implement fundraising strategies aligned with the school's mission and strategic plan. Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, prospects, and foundations, partnering with trustees and school leadership. Oversee all fundraising events and donor recognition activities, ensuring meaningful engagement and connection to FJA. Advancement & Community Engagement Serve as the school's primary ambassador for philanthropy, building and maintaining relationships with donors, alumni, parents, and the broader community. Oversee alumni relations and work with our MarComm team to advance the school's visibility and reputation. Foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the school community, inspiring staff and volunteers to participate in advancement efforts as FJA Ambassadors. Operations & Management Prepare and manage the development budget, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities. Supervise and mentor the development team, providing clear direction, feedback, and opportunities for professional growth. Ensure best practices in gift processing, donor stewardship, and data management. Support the Development Committee and other relevant committees as needed. Additional Responsibilities Write grant applications and manage grant reporting requirements. Collaborate with the Chief Advancement and Operating Officer (CA&OO) on strategic initiatives and institutional advancement, including the Head of School's involvement with appropriate individuals or organizations. Projects and tasks as assigned by the CA&OO. Qualifications and Experience: Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred. Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible development experience, preferably in an independent school or nonprofit setting. Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, capital campaigns, and donor relations. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and project management skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proficient with fundraising software, databases, and Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to work independently and collaboratively, set priorities, and meet deadlines. Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and the mission of Frankel Jewish Academy. Compensation & Benefits: Competitive salary commensurate with experience, starting at $90,000+. 28 PTO days plus school holidays. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. Retirement plan with employer contribution. Professional development support and family-friendly schedule. Supportive team culture and opportunities for growth. General Requirements: Criminal history background check required. Compliance with federal employment eligibility verification. References required. Don't meet every single requirement? We encourage you to apply anyway! At FJA, we value diverse experiences and perspectives. Please email your resume, cover letter and references to employment@frankelja.org with subject "Director of Development." Your work will directly support our mission of fostering academic excellence and a vibrant Jewish community, ensuring our school's financial health and the success of every student. Frankel Jewish Academy is a non-profit private secondary academy. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to the belief that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation or pregnancy), disability, religion, national origin or genetic information.
Join a vibrant, mission-driven school community! Frankel Jewish Academy seeks a visionary, strategic, and collaborative Director of Development to lead our fundraising, advancement, and community engagement efforts in support of our commitment to academic excellence and Jewish values. If you are passionate about building relationships, driving institutional growth, and making a meaningful impact on students' lives, we want to meet you. Frankel Jewish Academy is a rigorous college preparatory high school dedicated to academic excellence and Jewish literacy. We inspire students to think critically, creatively, and compassionately, dedicating themselves to Jewish tradition, peoplehood, and the State of Israel, and to become lifelong learners and leaders. Ideal prospective candidates: Strategic and relationship-driven leader with a strong fundraising background Minimum of 5 years of development experience, preferably in an independent school or nonprofit setting Proven success in donor cultivation, major gifts, and campaign management Excellent communicator with strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills Effective team manager with experience mentoring and supporting staff Proficient in fundraising software and donor management tools Collaborative, organized, and goal-oriented Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership & Fundraising Lead the design and execution of a comprehensive development program, including annual giving, major/planned giving, capital and endowment campaigns, and special projects. Develop and implement fundraising strategies aligned with the school's mission and strategic plan. Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, prospects, and foundations, partnering with trustees and school leadership. Oversee all fundraising events and donor recognition activities, ensuring meaningful engagement and connection to FJA. Advancement & Community Engagement Serve as the school's primary ambassador for philanthropy, building and maintaining relationships with donors, alumni, parents, and the broader community. Oversee alumni relations and work with our MarComm team to advance the school's visibility and reputation. Foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the school community, inspiring staff and volunteers to participate in advancement efforts as FJA Ambassadors. Operations & Management Prepare and manage the development budget, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities. Supervise and mentor the development team, providing clear direction, feedback, and opportunities for professional growth. Ensure best practices in gift processing, donor stewardship, and data management. Support the Development Committee and other relevant committees as needed. Additional Responsibilities Write grant applications and manage grant reporting requirements. Collaborate with the Chief Advancement and Operating Officer (CA&OO) on strategic initiatives and institutional advancement, including the Head of School's involvement with appropriate individuals or organizations. Projects and tasks as assigned by the CA&OO. Qualifications and Experience: Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred. Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible development experience, preferably in an independent school or nonprofit setting. Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, capital campaigns, and donor relations. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and project management skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proficient with fundraising software, databases, and Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to work independently and collaboratively, set priorities, and meet deadlines. Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and the mission of Frankel Jewish Academy. Compensation & Benefits: Competitive salary commensurate with experience, starting at $90,000+. 28 PTO days plus school holidays. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. Retirement plan with employer contribution. Professional development support and family-friendly schedule. Supportive team culture and opportunities for growth. General Requirements: Criminal history background check required. Compliance with federal employment eligibility verification. References required. Don't meet every single requirement? We encourage you to apply anyway! At FJA, we value diverse experiences and perspectives. Please email your resume, cover letter and references to employment@frankelja.org with subject "Director of Development." Your work will directly support our mission of fostering academic excellence and a vibrant Jewish community, ensuring our school's financial health and the success of every student. Frankel Jewish Academy is a non-profit private secondary academy. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to the belief that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation or pregnancy), disability, religion, national origin or genetic information.