Senior Director, Philanthropy

Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City; Overland Park (KS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City is seeking a Senior Director, Philanthropy to lead all fundraising, advancement, and donor engagement efforts. This role shapes a comprehensive development strategy to support the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability, while managing a high-performing philanthropy team.

As a member of the management team, you will cultivate major gifts, guide grants, and coordinate with the CEO, board, and volunteers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required.
• Minimum 5–7 years of fundraising experience with senior leadership.
• Proven success in major gifts, grants, and donor stewardship.
• Strong interpersonal, presentation, and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with donor databases/CRMs and fundraising technology.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing a comprehensive fundraising strategy including annual giving, major gifts, corporate and foundation support, and campaigns.
• Lead and mentor the philanthropy team to foster collaboration and accountability.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects; manage key relationships.
• Partner with CEO and Board to strengthen board engagement in fundraising and provide coaching.
• Oversee donor stewardship, communications, and recognition to ensure a positive donor experience.
• Provide strategic oversight of grant development: prospect research, proposals, reporting.
• Develop and manage the philanthropy budget and track fundraising performance against goals.
• Use data and metrics to evaluate fundraising effectiveness and inform strategy.
• Ensure accurate donor records, gift processing, and compliance with fundraising standards.
• Collaborate with marketing, programs, and membership to align messaging.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Donor management

Strategic fundraising

Board engagement

Budget oversight

Data-driven analytics

Team leadership

Communications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or related field

Job description

The Senior Director, Philanthropy provides leadership for all fundraising, advancement, and donor engagement efforts of The J. As a member of the management team, the Senior Director assists in the design and development of a comprehensive development strategy to support the organization’s mission, programs, and long-term sustainability and is primarily responsible for the execution of that strategy. This role builds strong relationships with donors, volunteers, community partners, and board members while leading a high-performing development team.

Essential Functions

• Assist in the development of a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes annual giving, major gifts, corporate and foundation support, planned giving, special events, and campaigns.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the philanthropy team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and results.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects, including personally managing a portfolio of key relationships.
• Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors to strengthen board engagement in fundraising, including training, coaching, and support.
• Oversee donor stewardship, recognition, and communications to ensure a positive and meaningful donor experience.
• Provide strategic oversight of grant development, including prospect research, proposal submission, and reporting.
• Develop and manage the philanthropy budget and track fundraising performance against goals.
• Use data and metrics to evaluate fundraising effectiveness and inform strategy.
• Ensure accurate donor records, gift processing, and compliance with ethical and legal fundraising standards.
• Collaborate with marketing, programs, and membership teams to align messaging and advance organizational priorities.
• Able to work in-office standard business hours and evenings/weekends as needed for events.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, with senior leadership experience in a nonprofit organization.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies and securing significant philanthropic support.
• Strong experience with major gifts, board engagement, and donor relationship management.
• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising best practices, ethics, and regulations.
• Proven ability to lead and develop staff and work collaboratively across departments.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Proficiency with donor databases/CRMs and fundraising technology.
• Alignment with the mission, values, and impact of a nonprofit community center.
• Able to work in-office during typical business hours and evenings/weekends as needed for events.