Director, Philanthropy Operations & Campaigns

The Rome Group; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The St. Louis Jewish Community Center (The J) seeks an Associate Director of J Philanthropy to lead philanthropy operations and oversee infrastructure, systems, and project execution for annual giving, a major capital and endowment campaign, and planned giving initiatives.

This leadership role supervises the Philanthropy Operations Staff, partners with senior leaders, and drives strategy, donor stewardship, and campaign initiatives to support The J’s long‑term sustainability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit operations, project management, philanthropy operations, program management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and measurable deadlines.
• Experience supervising staff and coordinating cross‑functional teams.
• Experience with donor databases and fundraising reporting systems, preferably Salesforce or a comparable CRM.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in capital campaigns, endowment development, planned giving, or nonprofit fundraising is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the Philanthropy Operations Manager and Donor Relations & Grants Associate ensuring that all best practices for operations are in effect including the assignment process, acknowledgement process, data maintenance and list management, pledge reminders, financial reporting, endowment and restricted fund reporting and end of year letters and donor listings.
• Identify areas for improvement and find solutions.
• Directly manage the department’s expense budget and work with the Philanthropy Operations Manager to have oversight of the revenue budget, all in coordination with the Chief Philanthropy Officer.
• Work with the CEO to manage the portfolio and help keep moves on track.
• Continue the growth of and provide stewardship to our annual giving society, working with Chief Philanthropy Officer and Events Manager on levels, benefits and special stewardship opportunities.
• Responsible for capital and endowment campaign management including leading day‑to‑day project management in partnership with the CPO, CEO, campaign leadership, and lay volunteers.
• Develop a comprehensive campaign work plan including timelines, milestones and deliverables and progress reporting.
• Track campaign progress, prospect activity, solicitations, pledges and outstanding follow up in partnership with the Philanthropy Team.
• Help hire the consultant for the feasibility study and help manage the consultants needs from the J to conduct the study.
• Build out the campaign recognition for both capital and endowment gifts.
• Lead the development and implementation of a strategic planned giving program that encourages the donors to support the J’s long‑term sustainability.
• Develop criteria and policies for planned giving acceptance as part of the capital and endowment campaign.
• Partner with the CPO and CEO to identify opportunities to grow the J’s endowment and legacy giving pipeline.
• Coordinate planned giving communications, donor education, recognition opportunities, and engagement activities.
• Assist the Special Events Manager, Chief Philanthropy Officer, and the entire Philanthropy Team as needed for the annual J’la fundraising event.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Nonprofit operations

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Salesforce

CRM reporting

Job description

The St. Louis Jewish Community Center (The J) seeks an Associate Director of J Philanthropy to lead philanthropy operations and oversee infrastructure, systems, and project execution for annual giving, a major capital and endowment campaign, and planned giving initiatives.

This leadership role supervises the Philanthropy Operations Staff, partners with senior leaders, and drives strategy, donor stewardship, and campaign initiatives to support The J’s long‑term sustainability.