Associate Executive Director, Upstate

Jewish National Fund; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

3pm Friday close

Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)

Parental Leave

Employer-paid life insurance

Disability (short & long-term)

403(b) with employer contribution

Travel to Israel/Israel missions

Job summary

Jewish National Fund-USA is expanding its Upstate fundraising leadership, building a regional team to advance donor engagement and impact across Upstate New York, Southern Connecticut, and Westchester.

The role leads strategy, portfolio growth, and collaboration with national teams; requires 10+ years of major gifts experience, executive communication, and team development. Travel included; competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive fundraising, development, or related leadership experience, including major gifts.
• Proven ability to develop strategy and drive revenue growth.
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing teams.
• Familiarity with Upstate Jewish community and nonprofit landscape preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an Upstate fundraising and engagement strategy aligned with national priorities.
• Set and manage revenue goals, performance metrics, and accountability standards.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Upstate team; oversee hiring and performance.
• Collaborate with national development, marketing, finance, and programs.

Skills

Major gifts

Strategy

Leadership

CRM

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

If working for an organization that supports the land and people of Israel excites you, then join us and you needn't wait another minute to change the world!

Position Overview:

Jewish National Fund-USA is expanding its Tristate fundraising team and adding several new positions to support our growing donor community and organizational impact.

Reports to: Executive Director, Tristate

Location: Westchester, Southern Connecticut, and Northern NY Counties (home office)

Responsibilities:

Regional Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute an Upstate fundraising and engagement strategy aligned with national priorities
• Set and manage revenue goals, performance metrics, and accountability standards
• Serve as a senior representative of JNF-USA within the Upstate Jewish community
• Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors and prospects through strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Identify and develop new donor relationships to expand the Upstate pipeline
• Partner with lay leadership and board members to leverage networks and advance fundraising outcomes
• Oversee cultivation initiatives, donor briefings, events, missions, and stewardship activities
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Upstate team
• Support hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance management
• Collaborate with national development, marketing, finance, and program teams

Community Engagement & Representation

• Build and maintain strong relationships with communal partners and stakeholders
• Recruit and engage participants for missions, conferences, and signature initiatives
• Host visiting Israeli partners and affiliates with appropriate donor alignment and follow-up

Operations, Data & Reporting

• Ensure accurate donor activity tracking and reporting in Salesforce
• Use data and analytics to support forecasting, strategy, and performance management
• Oversee Upstate budget and responsible resource management

Qualifications:

• Deep passion for Israel and JNF-USA's mission
• 10+ years of progressive fundraising, development, or related leadership experience, including major gifts
• Proven ability to develop strategy and drive revenue growthStrong executive-level written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing teams
• Strategic, organized, and comfortable operating with autonomy
• Salesforce or CRM proficiency preferred
• Familiarity with the Upstate Jewish community and nonprofit landscape strongly preferred

Travel:

• Regular regional travel within the assigned territory
• Occasional domestic and international travel, including missions to Israel and national conferences
• Days off for all work-prohibitive Jewish holidays, in addition to the secular US holidays
• Generous paid time off
• 3pm close-of-business on Fridays
• Top-notch healthcare (including dental and vision)
• Parental Leave policy
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer-paid short and long-term disability
• 403(b) with 10.5% employer contribution
• Opportunities to travel to Israel
• Occasional domestic and international travel, including missions to Israel and national conferences

Compensation:

$175,000 - $210,000

Pay Type:

Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role.

WHAT WE DO

For 125 years, Jewish National Fund-USA has helped strengthen the land and people of Israel by investing in the communities, infrastructure, and leadership that shape the country's future. Our work is focused on making Israel's North and South places where families can build full, vibrant lives with access to medical care, emergency response, water solutions, parks, playgrounds, jobs, and economic opportunity. Working with our donors and partners, we support underpopulated communities, help attract new residents, improve quality of life, and create the conditions for long-term growth. Our work reaches beyond projects on the ground. Through education, travel, and leadership opportunities, we connect Americans of all ages to Israel in meaningful and lasting ways. That vision continues with the World Zionist Village in Be'er Sheva, a global center that will bring people together to live, learn, lead, and strengthen the next generation of Zionist leadership. From urgent relief to long-term transformation, Jewish National Fund-USA is helping build a stronger future for Israel and creating lasting legacies for generations to come. Learn more at jnf.org .

SINCE 1901, JNF HAS:

• Planted more than 250 million trees
• Built over 250 reservoirs and dams
• Developed over 250,000 acres of land
• Created more than 2,000 parks
• Provided the infrastructure for over 1,000 communities
• Connected thousands of children and young adults to Israel and their heritage

Jewish National Fund prides itself on honoring the pioneers of the past and celebrating their spirit by continuing the pioneering tradition in the areas of technology, environmental progress, community development, water renewal and building the land of Israel for many years to come.

Jewish National Fund affirms the bonds of the Jewish family with their strength of unity, the understanding that each member can make a difference and the collective power to build prosperity, develop innovative solutions and promote the greater good.

OUR CREDENTIALS & PARTNERSHIPS

A registered 501(c)(3) organization, Jewish National Fund is recognized as a 4-star organization by Charity Navigator, America's leading independent charity evaluator, for its sound fiscal management, accountability, and transparency. JNF has also been rated a top charity by the American Institute of Philanthropy and meets the 20 rigorous standards of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, and the transparency standards of Tzedakah, Inc. No other Jewish organization meets all these standards.

OUR CULTURE

We are ViZion-driven relationship-based, fast-paced, and Positively Israel!

OUR CORE VALUES

Be Bold: Beyond. We are proud and passionate, vocal, and visionary about Israel and Zionism. We pride ourselves on our out-of-the-box thinking and the great things it accomplishes for the land and with the people of Israel.

Belong: Stay long. We are an inclusive and diverse workplace welcoming and respecting all cultures, ages, religions, ethnicities, genders, orientations, and physical abilities. Understanding that a work-life balance is crucial to the success of our organization, we are empathetic, understanding, caring, appreciative, and respectful of one another as we strive to develop and retain our professionals and donors for the long-run.

Be Inscribed: Be the Impact. To walk in the land of Israel and see the impact of our work instills the greatest sense of fulfillment. We strive for each employee to make their mark, leave their footprint, be heard, and feel relevant as together we help ensure the vibrancy of Israel for the next 100 years. We plant the future, not just trees.

Be Kind: Act with Chesed. At JNF-USA we do not underestimate the power of kindness. We use recognition and praise to motivate teams, individuals, donors, and stakeholders. We are proud of our please and thank you's. We listen and lend a helping hand when a co-worker is challenged. Whether random or deliberate acts, kindness is a key ingredient to our positive workplace and mindset.

B'Yachad: Together. Great collaboration between our employees, donors and affiliates in Israel is a priority: everyone matters no matter their role. We recognize that open and inspirational communication, teamwork, and collegiality is a force multiplier in reaching our goals, mission, and vision. Jewish National Fund-USA exemplifies the power of unity.