At Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS), we believe in the power of community, compassion, and connection to change lives. As our Director of Development, you will play a pivotal role in helping our mission come to life every day by nurturing relationships that inspire generosity and deepen our impact.

In this position, you will steward a portfolio of about 150 individual donors, ranging from loyal supporters giving $1,200 annually to prospective philanthropists with the capacity to give $10,000 or more. Your work will be rooted in building genuine relationships—connecting people’s passions with meaningful opportunities to make a difference through JFS.

You will also lead and expand JFS’s planned giving efforts, working alongside estate attorneys, financial advisors, and other professionals to grow our presence in the planned giving community and strengthen engagement with members of the JFS Legacy Society.

This is more than a fundraising role—it’s an opportunity to champion a mission that serves thousands across San Diego with dignity, hope, and heart.

Responsibilities:

Donor Portfolio Management

Cultivate and sustain authentic, purpose-driven relationships with a portfolio of about 150 donors
Honor each donor’s values and vision by connecting them to the tangible impact of their support
Manage donors through the full continuum of giving—identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship—with a focus on expanding philanthropic potential
Create and coordinate meaningful engagement experiences, such as campus tours and volunteer experiences
Partner with planned giving professionals (estate attorneys, financial planners) to elevate JFS’s visibility within the planned giving community
Collaborate with the Marketing team to refresh or develop compelling collateral for planned giving outreach and stewardship
Use Raiser’s Edge CRM to document donor interactions, plan outreach strategies, and track progress toward fundraising goals
Strategic Planning

Partner with Sr. Director of Development, Individual Giving to refine and enhance donor engagement strategies and stewardship practices
Achieves and exceeds annual goals as assigned by Sr. Director of Philanthropy
Contribute to the overall advancement strategy with creativity, professionalism, and a deep commitment to JFS’s mission and values
JFS Responsibilities

Support and attend key fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events as needed, including evenings and occasional weekends
Build strong working relationships with internal teams — including program & finance staff — to ensure consistent information flow and alignment between donor interests and agency impact
Serve as an internal ambassador for the Development team, communicating donor feedback and insights to colleagues to strengthen cross-departmental collaboration
Maintain a deep and current understanding of JFS’s services and initiatives to represent the organization with accuracy and passion
Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and organizational trainings that support professional development and alignment with JFS values
Skills/Experience/Abilities That Are a Must-Have:

Education – BA/BS degree at minimum or equivalent
Experience – minimum of 5 years of fundraising or business development experience, with a strong understanding and foundation of fundraising strategies and tactics, including moves management, donor research, donor cultivation, and stewardship
Partnerships – needs experience with financial planners, attorneys, and other relevant professional service providers
Technical Skills – must have experience working with CRM software, Raiser’s Edge experience a plus
Communication/Interpersonal Skills – must be articulate, poised, and possess strong writing skills and have the ability to listen to, connect with, and inspire donors
Administration – proven to be detail oriented and possess excellent project management skills
Important Notice:

When applying, please submit a resume and cover letter.

Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Please, no phone calls. Please, principals only. Please, local candidates only (relocation is not provided).

Please Apply HERE