Senior Director, Strategy and Operations
Jewish Community Foundation, Silver Spring, MD, United States
Position Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Director, Strategy and Operations serves as a key member of the senior leadership team. The Senior Director plays a strategic and operational leadership role in advancing the growth of the Foundation by championing major development initiatives and key operational areas critical to achieving long-term results.
This senior-level role leads and implements the strategy to increase assets in the Jewish community by advancing the Donor Advised Fund program, building long-term endowment assets for Federation and the community at large, growing innovative collaborative funds, deepening donor relationships, and positioning the Foundation as the region’s premier Jewish philanthropic partner. The Senior Director serves as the Foundations primary subject matter expert in charitable gift planning and donor advised funds and works closely with high-net-worth individuals, families, professional advisors, board members, and senior leadership. Additionally, to spearhead the Foundations growth, the Senior Director oversees key business operations and governance functions that pertain primarily to donor services, major gifts and funds, Foundations investments, effective and efficient grant distributions, and gift acceptance.
The ideal candidate is a strategic and collaborative leader and doer focused on results with a long-term perspective and brings technical expertise in charitable gift planning and donor advised funds, executive-level relationship management, and a passion for community impact and Foundations and Federations missions. This individual enjoys rolling up their sleeves working directly with donors, team members and lay leaders.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Communicates a compelling vision for the Jewish community and translates vision into implementable objectives, strategies and deliverables to grow the Foundation over multiple years.
Establish measurable revenue, expectancy, and pipeline goals aligned with the Foundations long-term growth strategy.
Serve as an internal advisor to senior leadership and the Board on complex gift opportunities.
Evaluate and refine gift acceptance policies and planned giving procedures to reflect best practices and regulatory compliance.
Advise and help refine the Foundations operating procedures as needed to ensure alignment with growth objectives and legal compliance.
Direct and manage the Foundations investment committee overseeing Foundations investments and serve as main staff point of contact for investment consultant and investment committee Chair.
Represent the Foundation in professional and civic networks.
Planned Gift Development
Cultivate high net‑worth donors capable of making estate and complex gifts.
Steward a portfolio of high‑capacity donors.
Serve as primary technical expert helping to structure and negotiate sophisticated gift arrangements, including:
Bequests and beneficiary designations
Charitable remainder and lead trusts
Gifts of closely held stock, business interests and real estate
Retirement assets and life insurance
Review gift agreements and legal documentation to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and internal policies. Manage the gift acceptance committee.
Oversee the probate and trust administration process for matured deferred gifts, working closely with executors and financial institutions.
Partner with donors’ legal, tax, and financial advisors to align philanthropic and estate planning objectives.
Build and sustain strong partnerships with estate planning attorneys, wealth managers, CPAs, and trust officers; develop educational programs, roundtables, and technical resources to position the Foundation as a trusted philanthropic resource.
Donor Stewardship, Team & Lay Leadership Engagement
Partner closely with the Senior Director of Legacy Giving and major gift fundraisers to advance Federations legacy goals and legacy society, including recognition, stewardship, and engagement initiatives.
Build and advance the Foundations donor stewardship programs and processes including acknowledgements, recognition and engagement initiatives.
Ensure consistent and meaningful stewardship of donors and estate representatives that is grounded in trusted long‑term relationships.
Inspires team to support and achieve goals, provides mentorship and fosters a supportive and collaborative work environment helping team members to achieve individual growth and goals.
Work with lay leadership committees to champion the business development process and stewardship practices.
Foundation Operations & Reporting
Oversee specific operational areas for Foundation in coordination with finance and operations teams focused on pipeline process, effective onboarding of new donors, and efficient grantmaking from DAFs and designated funds.
Oversee team managing insurance program, trusts and legacy funds.
Manage lay leader committees central to Foundation operations including investment, gift acceptance, and philanthropic fund (DAF) advisory committees.
Lead team to implement process improvements for key operational areas and to use technological systems to drive efficient operations.
Enhance reporting and tracking systems for revenue projections, realized gifts, and expectancies.
Maintain accurate documentation and confidentiality of donor records.
Monitor national trends in Donor Advised Funds and charitable gift planning and apply best practices to the Foundations program.
Qualifications
Bachelors degree required; advanced degree (JD, MBA, CFP, CAP, or related credential) strongly preferred. 15+ years of progressive fundraising experience, including substantial experience with donor advised funds, planned giving, and loan funds strongly preferred.
Demonstrated success securing complex, deferred, and blended gifts at significant levels.
Deep knowledge of estate planning vehicles, tax considerations, and charitable giving strategies.
Deep knowledge of laws and regulations related to charitable contributions, donor advised funds, and tax‑efficient giving strategies.
Strong executive presence with the ability to engage sophisticated donors and advisors.
Exceptional leadership and staff management skills with experience growing high‑performing teams.
Gifted communicator with a sophisticated ability to navigate diverse needs and interests of multiple stakeholders.
Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship‑building skills.
High ethical standards and commitment to confidentiality.
Certifications: Professional designations such as Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) or Certified Charitable Gift Planner (CSPG) are valued.
Genuine respect for Inclusion & Belonging practices and principles and a commitment to incorporating them at work.
Commitment to Federations core values and culture.
A People-Friendly Workplace
Excellent health care and retirement benefits
Generous Vacation and Sick leave
6 weeks paid Parental Leave after 1 year
Commuter bonus
Hybrid work schedule
Opportunities for continued professional development
Access to the JPRO Network, which connects, educates, inspires, and empowers professionals working in the Jewish nonprofit sector
J-18808-Ljbffr
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Director, Strategy and Operations serves as a key member of the senior leadership team. The Senior Director plays a strategic and operational leadership role in advancing the growth of the Foundation by championing major development initiatives and key operational areas critical to achieving long-term results.
This senior-level role leads and implements the strategy to increase assets in the Jewish community by advancing the Donor Advised Fund program, building long-term endowment assets for Federation and the community at large, growing innovative collaborative funds, deepening donor relationships, and positioning the Foundation as the region’s premier Jewish philanthropic partner. The Senior Director serves as the Foundations primary subject matter expert in charitable gift planning and donor advised funds and works closely with high-net-worth individuals, families, professional advisors, board members, and senior leadership. Additionally, to spearhead the Foundations growth, the Senior Director oversees key business operations and governance functions that pertain primarily to donor services, major gifts and funds, Foundations investments, effective and efficient grant distributions, and gift acceptance.
The ideal candidate is a strategic and collaborative leader and doer focused on results with a long-term perspective and brings technical expertise in charitable gift planning and donor advised funds, executive-level relationship management, and a passion for community impact and Foundations and Federations missions. This individual enjoys rolling up their sleeves working directly with donors, team members and lay leaders.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Communicates a compelling vision for the Jewish community and translates vision into implementable objectives, strategies and deliverables to grow the Foundation over multiple years.
Establish measurable revenue, expectancy, and pipeline goals aligned with the Foundations long-term growth strategy.
Serve as an internal advisor to senior leadership and the Board on complex gift opportunities.
Evaluate and refine gift acceptance policies and planned giving procedures to reflect best practices and regulatory compliance.
Advise and help refine the Foundations operating procedures as needed to ensure alignment with growth objectives and legal compliance.
Direct and manage the Foundations investment committee overseeing Foundations investments and serve as main staff point of contact for investment consultant and investment committee Chair.
Represent the Foundation in professional and civic networks.
Planned Gift Development
Cultivate high net‑worth donors capable of making estate and complex gifts.
Steward a portfolio of high‑capacity donors.
Serve as primary technical expert helping to structure and negotiate sophisticated gift arrangements, including:
Bequests and beneficiary designations
Charitable remainder and lead trusts
Gifts of closely held stock, business interests and real estate
Retirement assets and life insurance
Review gift agreements and legal documentation to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and internal policies. Manage the gift acceptance committee.
Oversee the probate and trust administration process for matured deferred gifts, working closely with executors and financial institutions.
Partner with donors’ legal, tax, and financial advisors to align philanthropic and estate planning objectives.
Build and sustain strong partnerships with estate planning attorneys, wealth managers, CPAs, and trust officers; develop educational programs, roundtables, and technical resources to position the Foundation as a trusted philanthropic resource.
Donor Stewardship, Team & Lay Leadership Engagement
Partner closely with the Senior Director of Legacy Giving and major gift fundraisers to advance Federations legacy goals and legacy society, including recognition, stewardship, and engagement initiatives.
Build and advance the Foundations donor stewardship programs and processes including acknowledgements, recognition and engagement initiatives.
Ensure consistent and meaningful stewardship of donors and estate representatives that is grounded in trusted long‑term relationships.
Inspires team to support and achieve goals, provides mentorship and fosters a supportive and collaborative work environment helping team members to achieve individual growth and goals.
Work with lay leadership committees to champion the business development process and stewardship practices.
Foundation Operations & Reporting
Oversee specific operational areas for Foundation in coordination with finance and operations teams focused on pipeline process, effective onboarding of new donors, and efficient grantmaking from DAFs and designated funds.
Oversee team managing insurance program, trusts and legacy funds.
Manage lay leader committees central to Foundation operations including investment, gift acceptance, and philanthropic fund (DAF) advisory committees.
Lead team to implement process improvements for key operational areas and to use technological systems to drive efficient operations.
Enhance reporting and tracking systems for revenue projections, realized gifts, and expectancies.
Maintain accurate documentation and confidentiality of donor records.
Monitor national trends in Donor Advised Funds and charitable gift planning and apply best practices to the Foundations program.
Qualifications
Bachelors degree required; advanced degree (JD, MBA, CFP, CAP, or related credential) strongly preferred. 15+ years of progressive fundraising experience, including substantial experience with donor advised funds, planned giving, and loan funds strongly preferred.
Demonstrated success securing complex, deferred, and blended gifts at significant levels.
Deep knowledge of estate planning vehicles, tax considerations, and charitable giving strategies.
Deep knowledge of laws and regulations related to charitable contributions, donor advised funds, and tax‑efficient giving strategies.
Strong executive presence with the ability to engage sophisticated donors and advisors.
Exceptional leadership and staff management skills with experience growing high‑performing teams.
Gifted communicator with a sophisticated ability to navigate diverse needs and interests of multiple stakeholders.
Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship‑building skills.
High ethical standards and commitment to confidentiality.
Certifications: Professional designations such as Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) or Certified Charitable Gift Planner (CSPG) are valued.
Genuine respect for Inclusion & Belonging practices and principles and a commitment to incorporating them at work.
Commitment to Federations core values and culture.
A People-Friendly Workplace
Excellent health care and retirement benefits
Generous Vacation and Sick leave
6 weeks paid Parental Leave after 1 year
Commuter bonus
Hybrid work schedule
Opportunities for continued professional development
Access to the JPRO Network, which connects, educates, inspires, and empowers professionals working in the Jewish nonprofit sector
J-18808-Ljbffr