Major Gifts Development Officer

jewishfederationofgreatermetrowestnj; Whippany (NJ); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ in Whippany, NJ is seeking a Major Gifts Development Officer to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors.

You will work closely with the Major Gifts Director, build donor strategies, and help grow the annual campaign's contributions.

This full-time, hybrid role offers a competitive salary and benefits while serving a large Jewish community.

Qualifications

• Proven success in donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, or related fundraising.
• Strong ability to build trust and move relationships forward.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Build, manage, and grow a portfolio of current and prospective major donors, with a focus on deepening relationships and increasing philanthropic support.
• Work closely with the Major Gifts Director to develop individualized donor strategies, including cultivation plans, solicitation approaches, stewardship touchpoints, and upgrade opportunities.
• Proactively identify and research new prospects through donor data, community relationships, event participation, referrals, and internal collaboration.
• Develop face-to-face cultivation and solicitation meetings, and partner with lay leaders to strategize and manage donor engagement.
• Analyze giving patterns and engagement to identify donors able to increase gifts or commit multi-year support.
• Coordinate donor recognition, acknowledgment, retention, and moves management with colleagues.

Skills

Donor cultivation

Donor solicitation

Donor relationships

Stewardship

Moves management

Prospect research

Communication skills

Job description

Major Gifts Development Officer

Location: Whippany, NJ
Salary:65,000 - $70,000 + Benefits
Full Time - Hybrid:In office Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

About Us

Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ convenes and leads our community to strengthen Jewish life, care for those in need, and support Israel. We serve Essex, Morris, Sussex, Union, and parts of Somerset County, connecting people to resources and meaningful opportunities to engage.

Position Overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic, strategic, and relationship-driven Major Gifts Development Officer who will focus on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding current and prospective major donors. This person will be a proactive fundraiser and thoughtful partner who enjoys building meaningful relationships, developing donor strategies, and helping move donors toward deeper engagement and increased giving.

Whatyou'llbe working on

You will focus on developing and advancing relationships with current and prospective major donors, identifying new opportunities for increased giving, and helping build a stronger donor pipeline for the Annual Campaign. This position is a vital member of the Campaign Department and will work closely with the Major Gifts Director and other campaign colleagues to develop donor strategies, support cultivation and solicitation efforts, and contribute to the growth of the more than $35 million total dollars raised for the Annual Campaign of Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Build, manage, and grow a portfolio of current and prospective major donors, with a focus on deepening relationships and increasing philanthropic support.
• Work closely with the Major Gifts Director to develop individualized donor strategies, including cultivation plans, solicitation approaches, stewardship touchpoints, and upgrade opportunities.
• Proactively identify and research new prospects through donor data, community relationships, event participation, referrals, and internal collaboration.
• Develop individually tailored face-to-face, one-on-one cultivation and solicitation meetings, and partner with appropriate lay leaders to strategize and manage cultivation and solicitation of targeted donors.
• Analyze giving patterns, event participation, engagement history and community connections to identify donors capable of increased gifts, multi-year commitments, or deeper involvement with Federation.
• Partner with colleagues and Jewish Community Foundation to thoughtfully identify opportunities to discuss endowment gifts, legacy giving, and other long-term philanthropic commitments that help perpetuate a culture of philanthropy across Federation.
• Review daily reports to thank and connect with new donors, donors who have made a noticeable increase, and donors who may be ready for further cultivation.
• Coordinate with the Director of Philanthropic Leadership to develop and execute plans for donor recognition, acknowledgment, retention, and moves management.
• Be curious and entrepreneurial in identifying opportunities to engage new segments of the community, recapture lapsed donors and bring prospective donors closer to Federation’s work.
• Identify donors and prospects for major donor events, parlor meetings, missions, and other engagement opportunities that can lead to increased giving.
• Maintain strong fundraising recordkeeping practices to document donor interactions, track next steps, support moves management, and ensure gifts are acknowledged and recorded accurately.
• Attend meetings, events, and conferences within Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ and at outside agencies/ organizations as appropriate to advance donor relationships and fundraising goals.

Why work with us?

Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ serves one of the largest Jewish communities in NJ. Our employees contribute to our mission of strengthening Jewish life and identity and meeting basic human needs. We foster a collaborative, positive, and inclusive workplace culture where employees can work together to achieve common goals. Located on a beautiful campus, we are close to several major highways, dining, and shopping options.

About you – preferred requirements for this role

• Proven success in donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, sales, relationship management, or comparable work that requires building trust and moving relationships forward.
• Strong interest in major gifts fundraising, prospect development, donor strategy, and relationship-based fundraising.
• Knowledge of the Greater MetroWest community and Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ mission.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, oral and written.
• Eagerness to roll up sleeves to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
• Sense of curiosity and desire to identify new opportunities that benefit the campaign and the overall organization.
• Ability to think strategically about donors, ask thoughtful questions, follow through consistently, and manage multiple relationships at different stages of cultivation.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with fundraising staff, volunteer leaders, and volunteer cultivators/solicitors.
• Understanding of/experience in Federation is helpful but is not essential.
• Comfortable interacting with all levels of volunteers, donors, and staff.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Excellent organization, technology skills, and eagerness to learn and use database tools to support prospecting, moves management, and donor follow-up.