Deputy Vice President, New York City

Birthright Israel Foundation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 210,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision & dental insurance

403(b) with 5% match

Sick time & personal days

Paid holidays

Job summary

Birthright Israel Foundation seeks a Deputy Vice President to expand NYC donor outreach, manage a fund-raising team, and drive a multi-hundred million-dollar campaign. The role emphasizes major gifts, relationship-building with high-net-worth individuals, and leadership across the urban fundraising strategy.

You will lead a team, solicit top-tier donors, and coordinate events to grow philanthropic revenue while representing the mission in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Requires 12+ years in high-ticket sales or major gifts fundraising.
• Experience leading fundraising or sales teams.
• Proven track record of meeting/exceeding performance goals.
• Experience engaging senior executives or philanthropists, especially in finance or related high-net-worth industries.
• New York City philanthropists access preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage a team of fundraisers across New York City.
• Develop and implement a strategic plan for the NYC region.
• Cultivate and solicit major gifts $100,000+; lead senior donor relationships.
• Drive philanthropic revenue growth and achieve annual goals.
• Lead philanthropic events and recruit local lay leaders.

Skills

Excellent communication

Relationship management

Initiative & accountability

Passion for mission

Leadership & team management

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Title: Deputy Vice President, New York City

Department: Development

Salary Range: $210,000-$230,000

FLSA: Exempt

OVERVIEW:

The Birthright Israel Foundation (BRIF) is the U.S.-based philanthropic partner of Birthright Israel, the landmark program that has brought nearly 1 million young Jewish adults from over 70 countries on free, immersive trips to Israel since its founding in 1999. BRIF leads fundraising, donor engagement, and stewardship efforts in North America — mobilizing major donors, foundations, family offices, and community partners to sustain and expand the program’s reach.

In the wake of October 7, 2023, BRIF’s mission has taken on renewed urgency. The organization has been at the forefront of efforts to resume the Birthright Israel experience for the thousands of young Jewish adults who were waitlisted or whose trips were interrupted, all while simultaneously deepening its engagement with donors motivated by an unprecedented moment for the Jewish people and the State of Israel. BRIF has prioritized expanding program capacity, strengthening its donor community, and ensuring that connection to Israel remains accessible to the next generation at exactly the moment it matters most. Our team is lean, mission-driven, and operating with the intensity and ambition that this moment demands. We work across major gifts, events, marketing, finance, legal, and operations — and we are growing.

POSITION SUMMARY:

BRIF is seeking a Deputy Vice President to help drive its recently launched five-year $900 million campaign. This leader will expand the New York City donor community — with a particular focus on major financial firms and other high-net-worth industries — deepen existing donor relationships, grow philanthropic revenue, and lead a team of fundraisers across New York City. Success in this role requires strong relationship-building skills, disciplined portfolio management, confidence in directly soliciting major gifts, proven people-management ability, and determination to achieve ambitious goals for yourself and your team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Team Leadership & Regional Strategy

• Directly manage a team of fundraisers who raise money across New York City.
• Develop a strategic plan for the New York City region and oversee its implementation across the team.
• Coach, support, and manage direct reports responsible for individual, regional, and national fundraising goals.
• Ensure consistent pipeline development, prospect strategy, and solicitation cadence across the team.
• Utilize metrics and maintain fidelity to moves management to ensure accountability.

Drive Philanthropic Revenue Growth

• Build, manage, cultivate, and solicit a personal portfolio of top-level donors and prospects capable of giving $100,000+, with an emphasis on identifying and soliciting prospects at major financial firms and other high-net-worth industries.
• Consistently achieve and exceed annual fundraising goals, both personally and as a team.

Donor Cultivation & Leadership Engagement

• Steward and deepen relationships with existing donors while identifying and cultivating new major gift prospects.
• Expand the donor pipeline with individuals capable of making five-, six-, and seven-figure commitments.
• Lead the execution of philanthropic events to cultivate new prospects and steward existing donors.
• Identify and recruit local lay leaders to support Birthright Israel's mission.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

• Successful sales, business development, financial services, or fundraising professionals who want to apply their relationship-building skills to a mission that strengthens the Jewish future.
• Individuals who thrive in goal-oriented, performance-driven environments.
• Self-confident, disciplined, and determined professionals who have led teams.
• Natural relationship-builders and communicators.
• People energized by connecting others to a meaningful mission.
• Communicates with confidence and warmth and naturally earns trust across a wide range of individuals, including senior executives at financial services companies and comparable high-net-worth industries.

YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO:

• Is highly organized and accountable for results — your own and your team's.
• Demonstrates resilience, persistence, and initiative in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.
• Balances strong interpersonal instincts with disciplined execution.
• Has previously managed a team of fundraising or sales professionals and is motivated by identifying and developing talent.
• Is highly organized and accountable for results.
• Thrives in fast-paced, goal-oriented environments.
• Enjoys influencing and inspiring others around a meaningful mission.
• Balances strong interpersonal instincts with disciplined execution.
• Values autonomy, ownership, and measurable success.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 12+ years of successful experience in high-ticket sales or major gifts fundraising.
• Experience managing or leading a team of fundraisers or sales professionals.
• Proven track record of consistently meeting or exceeding performance goals — personally and through others.
• Experience engaging senior executives, high-net-worth individuals, or philanthropists, particularly within financial services or comparable high-net-worth industries.
• Existing relationships with, or established access to, philanthropists in New York City strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills
• Strong initiative, professionalism, and personal accountability
• Passion for Birthright Israel's mission.

Travel Expectations:

Regular travel to meet with donors and team members, plus occasional national travel.

Why You'll Love Working Here

At Birthright Israel, you'll be part of a team that is shaping the future of the Jewish people. Your work will help ensure that donors feel connected, valued, and inspired to make Birthright Israel possible for generations to come. A fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where your work has visible, immediate impact. We offer a collaborative, supportive team culture. Our benefits are generous, and include comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance. Employees have access to set aside funds for retirement through our 403(b) plan, which includes a 5% salary match that vests over the first 5 years of employment. Additional perks include generous sick time, annual personal days, as well as a work calendar offering time off for Jewish and secular holidays.

The Birthright Israel Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.