Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer

thejewishfederationsofnorthamerica; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford seeks an accomplished Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer to lead its philanthropic enterprise. Reporting to the President & CEO, this role will drive revenue growth, deepen donor engagement, and broaden the donor base while building a cohesive, donor-centered development operation.

The successful candidate will be a strategic fundraiser and organizational leader, capable of cultivating major donors, coaching staff, and collaborating with

Qualifications

• Strategic fundraiser and organizational leader with donor engagement experience.
• Experience cultivating major donors and leading development teams.
• Ability to build pipelines for legacy and endowment giving.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the Development team with clear roles, portfolios, goals and accountability.
• Foster a collaborative, results-driven team culture with trust and clear communication.
• Establish performance metrics, revenue projections, and regular reporting to inform strategy.
• Strengthen collaboration across Development and Marketing, Finance, Impact, Technology, and other areas.
• Serve as a trusted strategic partner to the CEO and senior leadership, aligning philanthropic strategy with Federation's evolving goals.

Job description

Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer - Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford

West Hartford, Connecticut | Full-Time

About the Greater Hartford Jewish Community

The Greater Hartford Jewish community offers a compelling opportunity to lead philanthropy in a connected, collaborative community with a strong network of Jewish organizations, engaged lay leadership, and a deep philanthropic tradition.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford's Annual Campaign raises more than $5.5 million, with a goal of $5.75 million in FY2027. Federation is also advancing Now & Forever , a joint $15 million endowment campaign with the Jewish Community Foundation, initially focused on long-term communal security and combating antisemitism.

Federation plays a central role in strengthening Jewish life across Greater Hartford, mobilizing resources, supporting those in need, advancing Jewish education and engagement, strengthening community security, deepening connections with Israel, and investing in the community's future.

The next SVP & CDO will join Federation at an important moment of opportunity, building on a strong philanthropic foundation while helping shape the community's future.

The Position

The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford seeks an accomplished, strategic, and relationship-driven Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer (SVP & CDO) to lead its philanthropic enterprise into its next phase of growth. This is an opportunity for an experienced development leader to make a meaningful and lasting impact alongside committed professionals, donors, volunteers, and community partners.

Reporting to the President & CEO and serving as a member of Federation's senior leadership team, the SVP & CDO will set the strategic direction for Federation's philanthropic enterprise, driving revenue growth, deepening donor engagement, expanding and diversifying the donor base, and strengthening the people, systems, and practices needed for sustained success.

The ideal candidate is both a strategic fundraiser and an effective organizational leader, equally comfortable cultivating a major donor, coaching a development professional, partnering with volunteer leadership, and collaborating across the organization to translate vision into results.

Building on the strengths of a committed Development team, engaged volunteer leadership, and a new CRM, the SVP & CDO will bring strategic focus, operational discipline, and a collaborative approach to creating a cohesive, donor-centered, high-performing development operation.

The SVP & CDO will provide strategic leadership across Federation's full development portfolio, including:

• Annual Campaign
• Major and principal gifts
• Women's and Men's Philanthropy
• Real estate and corporate partnerships
• Sponsorships and targeted philanthropic initiatives
• Planned and legacy giving
• Endowment, including the Now & Forever Endowment Campaign
• Development operations, data, and CRM

The SVP & CDO will establish clear priorities, measurable goals, and a culture of accountability, ensuring that fundraising remains grounded in authentic relationships and Federation's mission. As an active frontline fundraiser, they will personally cultivate, solicit, and steward significant donors and prospects; develop strategies for top philanthropic families; build a pipeline of new major donors and next‑generation philanthropists; and partner closely with the CEO and volunteer leadership on high‑level donor relationships.

In the first year, the SVP & CDO will focus on building a strong foundation for sustained philanthropic growth while maintaining momentum in the Annual Campaign. Priorities will include strengthening major and principal gift strategies, advancing the Now & Forever Endowment Campaign, building an integrated pipeline for legacy and endowment giving, clarifying team priorities and accountability, and ensuring effective adoption of the new CRM.

Success will be reflected in sustained philanthropic revenue growth, stronger donor acquisition and retention, deeper major‑donor relationships, meaningful progress on campaign priorities, and a collaborative, high-performing Development team.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop the Development team, establishing clear roles, goals, portfolios, performance expectations, and accountability.
• Foster a collaborative, results‑oriented team culture characterized by trust, clear communication, sound decision‑making, professional growth, and shared accountability.
• Establish performance metrics, revenue projections, and regular reporting practices to inform strategy, track progress, and support organizational decision‑making.
• Strengthen collaboration across Development and with Marketing & Communications, Finance, Impact, Technology, and other areas of Federation.
• Serve as a trusted strategic partner to the CEO and senior leadership team, aligning philanthropic strategy with Federation's evolving com