Major Gifts Officer- Seattle

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle is a vibrant and forward-thinking organization at the heart of the Jewish Puget Sound community. We are dedicated to building and fostering a thriving Jewish community through our diverse range of programs, projects, and events. Our mission is to lead a strong Jewish Puget Sound by serving as a community voice, strengthening connections to Israel and World Jewry, and making investments in Jewish life, for today and the next generation, and our team is passionate about driving positive change in the world.

Summary:

The Major Gifts Officer plays a critical role in supporting the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle’s Annual Campaign by identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors at the $10,000+ level. Reporting to the Director of Development, the Major Gifts Officer is responsible for driving growth in the major gifts pipeline by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-capacity donors, while developing and executing strategies to engage and secure new prospects.

This position is ideal for a highly motivated relationship builder who thrives on meeting goals, working collaboratively with lay leaders and colleagues, and contributing to the Federation’s mission and impact.

Essential Responsibilities include the following:

• Donor Growth:
  Manage and grow a portfolio of 100 current and prospective major donors ($10,000+) and mid-level donors ($5,000–$9,999), with a total portfolio value of $1M, and implement strategies to upgrade mid-level donors to major gifts. Build and implement moves management plans, conduct donor meetings, and track all interactions in the Federation’s CRM.
• Prospect Research & Pipeline Development:
  Serve as the lead on prospect research, using our analytics tools and data to identify and qualify high‑potential major gift prospects.
• Leadership Giving & Donor Recognition Societies:
  Launch and grow the King David Society ($25,000+), including developing a pipeline of qualified prospects and executing strategies to upgrade donors into this level. Design and implement high‑impact engagement, recognition, and stewardship experiences for leadership donors, including tailored experiences for Golden Donors (25+ years of giving) and Legacy Society donors, to deepen long‑term commitment, strengthen donor loyalty, and increase retention.
• Strategic Partnership & Campaign Growth:
  Act as a strategic partner to the Director of Development, collaborating on annual campaign strategy and identifying opportunities to grow the Federation’s major gift program.
• Donor Portfolio Management & Campaign Coordination:
  Coordinate solicitations with staff and volunteers, and donor/solicitor assignment process.
• Other duties and special projects may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None; however, there is opportunity to supervise in the future.

Required Attributes and

Competencies:

• Minimum 5+ years of experience in fundraising, major gifts, or donor relations, preferably in a nonprofit or Jewish communal setting.
• Demonstrated success managing a donor portfolio and meeting fundraising goals.
• Proven strategic thinker who can develop and implement strategies to accomplish organizational goals.
• Ability to build strong, trusting relationships with donors, volunteers, and colleagues.
• Strong emotional intelligence, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Flexibility to attend evening and weekend meetings or events as needed.

Preferred Attributes and

Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE certification preferred.
• Experience managing a corporate sponsorship portfolio.
• Mission‑driven with a commitment to strengthening Jewish community and philanthropy. A knowledge of the Jewish community is preferred.
• Experience with CRM systems and prospect research tools (e.g., Salesforce).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Workspace.
• Demonstrated understanding…