Senior Director, Planned Giving & Foundation Operations

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County seeks a seasoned leader to drive and operationalize the Meyer JCF. This senior role owns day-to-day leadership, execution, and infrastructure, guiding a sophisticated foundation platform within a dynamic Jewish community.

The Senior Director will lead foundation operations, planned giving strategy, and governance, partnering with donors, professionals, and leadership to advance impact and fiduciary stewardship.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in planned giving, endowments, or philanthropic financial services.

Responsibilities

• Lead Foundation operations across donor-advised funds, endowments, and legacy gifts.
• Oversee gift agreement processes from drafting to CRM documentation.
• Drive and operationalize strategy to grow planned giving and endowment commitments.
• Lead Board/governance functions and manage related communications.
• Oversee grantmaking and stewardship across all funds and GPS advisory work.
• Create and lead Professional Advisor Program and engage attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors.
• Collaborate with development, finance, and marketing to ensure seamless execution.

Skills

Planned giving

Endowments

Donor relations

Gift structures

Foundation leadership

Operational leadership

Complex gifts

Tools

CRM/Dynamics

Job description

The Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County seeks a seasoned leader to help drive and operationalize the William A. Meyer Jewish Community Foundation (Meyer JCF).

The Meyer JCF manages approximately $150 million in assets, an additional $90 million in documented legacy commitments, and approximately 100 donor-advised funds, serving one of the most dynamic Jewish communities in the country.

This is a senior, high-impact role for someone who has led or helped lead a planned giving and endowment program and is ready to run the engine of a sophisticated foundation platform, while helping to shape its next phase of growth.

The Senior Director reports to the Executive Director, who is primarily externally focused. This role owns day-to-day leadership, execution, and infrastructure, and plays a key role in driving and operationalizing strategy.

What You Will Own

Foundation Operations, Gift Administration & Compliance

• Lead all Foundation operations across donor-advised funds, endowments, and legacy gifts
• Serve as administrative approver for DAF disbursements, cash receipts, and new grantee organizations, including due diligence
• Oversee all gift agreement processes, including drafting, approvals, execution, and CRM documentation (Dynamics and related systems)
• Ensure strong financial stewardship, accuracy, and compliance with a high level of fiduciary integrity
• Lead budget preparation and ongoing review in partnership with finance

Planned Giving, Estates & Donor Strategy

• Drive and operationalize strategy to grow planned giving and endowment commitments
• Engage donors and professional advisors on complex gifts, estates, and philanthropic structuring
• Oversee estate and trust administration and serve as a forward-facing partner to donors and their representatives

Board, Governance & Key Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead all Board and governance functions, including agendas, annotated agendas, presentations, and communications
• Oversee supporting organizations, including board management, stewardship, grantmaking, and related follow-up and documentation
• Serve as liaison to Women’s Philanthropy leadership, supporting alignment of legacy and endowment strategy

Grants, Stewardship & Philanthropic Advisory (Generational Philanthropy Services)

• Oversee grantmaking and stewardship across all funds, including priority funds
• Lead work connected to the Federation’s philanthropic advisory practice (GPS), supporting donors with strategic grantmaking, impact reporting, and proposals
• Ensure high-quality, data-driven impact materials and donor communications

Professional Advisor & External Engagement

• Create and lead the Professional Advisor Program, including communications, meetings, events, and continuing education
• Serve as a credible partner to attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors

Marketing, Recognition & Events

• Serve as primary liaison to marketing on materials, website, stewardship content, and special projects
• Lead donor recognition programs and societies
• Oversee key initiatives, including the Comiter Gratitude Event, the Meyer JCF’s signature donor appreciation and stewardship annual event
• Supervise and develop team members, including a Foundation Officer
• Partner across development, finance, and marketing to ensure seamless execution

Who You Are

• 7+ years of experience in planned giving, endowments, or philanthropic financial services
• Experience leading or playing a senior role within a foundation or planned giving program
• Deep knowledge of DAFs, endowments, estate gifts, and complex gift structures
• Strong operator who can manage complexity while maintaining strategic perspective
• Credible with donors, professional advisors, and senior leadership
• Able to lead multiple workstreams with clarity, discipline, and strong judgment

Why This Role Stands Out

• Lead the execution of a large-scale, high-potential foundation platform
• Work with sophisticated donors and professional advisors
• Balance strategy, donor engagement, and operational leadership
• Play a central role in securing the long-term philanthropic future of the Jewish community in Palm Beach County

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is committed to creating a workplace where employees feel supported, valued, and connected to our mission. Our offices are located in a beautiful facility in West Palm Beach, providing a professional and welcoming environment for both staff and visitors. The building is secured during business hours with dedicated safety personnel to help ensure a safe and supportive workplace.

Federation prioritizes employee well-being and professional growth through a collaborative culture and a dedicated employee wellness program that promotes physical, mental, and emotional health. Employees also benefit from a wide range of professional development opportunities, including in-house courses through Federation University, cross-departmental trainings, conference participation, professional certifications, and involvement in fellowships and leadership cohorts.

This position is eligible to work from home occasionally in accordance with Federation policies and supervisor approval. When working remotely, the employee must:

Follow all Federation policies and procedures. Be available and responsive to colleagues during Federation’s normal business hours. Not work from public locations (e.g., coffee shops, libraries, etc.) or connect to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks when handling sensitive or confidential information. Maintain appropriate computer equipment, a secure internet connection, and a work environment that supports productivity and confidentiality.

Employees of the Federation also enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial security, and work-life balance, including:

Health & Wellness Benefits Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, and vision plans Disability and life insurance coverage A dedicated employee wellness program focused on overall well-being

Time Off & Work-Life Balance Generous paid time off Paid Jewish and U.S. holidays Early office closings on Fridays in observance of Shabbat Early closings on many holiday eves

Financial Benefits 401 (k) retirement plan with employer contribution Pre-tax benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)

Federation benchmarks compensation for new hires based on the role, level, and geographic location. Final compensation is determined by a variety of factors, including relevant experience, skills, and education or training.

Pay Rate:

In addition to benefits, the starting salary for this role is $115,000. We benchmark our salary ranges for new hires in relation to the role, level, and role location; however, we consider a multitude of factors, to include relevant experience, skills, and education/training, to determine compensation within the identified range.

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and addition al tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time at Federation’s discretion. Employment is at-will, and this job description is not an employment contract. Nothing herein shall be deemed to create in any way whatsoever an employment contract.