Jewish Family Services is a nonprofit that offers mental health, counseling, social services, case management, and affordable housing to approximately 2,500 individuals annually. It serves adults, children, seniors, people with disabilities, chronic mental health issues, substance use disorders, and low‑income families.
Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Development & Communications leads the fund development, marketing, and communications for Jewish Family Services and JFS Housing. The Director will develop strategic plans, manage fundraising teams, cultivate donors, and build the organization’s endowment while ensuring alignment with board priorities.
Fund Development
- Create and implement a strategic fund development plan that supports ongoing programs, increases revenues, and builds endowment in line with board priorities.
- Prepare an annual fund development budget with the CEO and senior staff, monitor performance, and report progress to the CEO, staff, and Board.
- Identify new funding sources—including program grants, corporate donations, government contracts, private foundations, and individual donors.
- Develop and implement a major‑gift strategy, cultivating and soliciting new individual donors.
- Build strong relationships with local funders (e.g., United Way, Milwaukee Jewish Federation, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Jewish Community Foundation), conducting donor visits, site tours, and regular communications.
- Plan and execute annual fundraising events.
- Co‑author grant proposals with the Director of Grants Management and provide updates to grantors.
- Oversee the donor and grants records‑management system, setting and enforcing standards and controls.
Marketing & Communication
- Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing and communications plan to enhance JFS’s public profile and community awareness.
- Represent JFS and JFS Housing on issues affecting the service population, maintaining relationships with community groups, United Way, foundations, government funders, and the media.
- Oversee the creation of all advertising and marketing materials—including the annual report, newsletters, online content, and other public communications.
Leadership
- Serve as the liaison to Fund Development and Marketing committees of the Board.
- Recruit, select, orient, and train staff; maintain a safe, secure, lawful work environment; foster personal growth opportunities.
- Manage department staff through planning, monitoring, appraisal, coaching, counseling, and discipline; develop policies, procedures, and productivity standards.
- Network with related agencies and professional organizations to keep JFS at the forefront of best practice in fund development and communications.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business or communications, and a minimum of 5 years of experience in fund development and communications.
- CFRE designation preferred.
- Proven track record in major‑gift development.
- Knowledge of fundraising fundamentals—including major donors, endowments, special events, annual campaigns, prospect research, planned/legacy giving, and donor‑management systems.
- Experience in major donor cultivation and solicitation.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).
- Understanding and maintaining donor, client, and agency confidentiality.
- Knowledge of marketing and communications strategies.
- Experience working with board members and volunteers.
- Knowledge of nonprofit organization management.
- Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
General
- Must possess a valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and automobile insurance throughout employment.
- Willingness to learn Jewish culture and traditions relevant to the Agency’s population.
- Accept other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
- Candidates must pass criminal background checks and the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender screening and Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry screening.
Skills
- Excellent organizational, communication, writing, speaking, and presentation skills.
- Self‑starter capable of networking and engaging with groups and individuals.
- Strong interpersonal and professional presentation skills.
- Knowledge of the Greater Milwaukee (and Jewish) philanthropic communities highly desirable.
- Ability to plan and implement metric‑based strategic fund‑development programs.
- Ability to develop and implement metric‑based marketing and communication plans.
- Strong goal‑setting and outcome‑achievement abilities.
- Strong partnership‑building skills.
- Ability to juggle multiple tasks, take initiative, and pay attention to detail.