Director, Philanthropy Strategy

Director Of Philanthropy Strategy

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that mobilizes the community to care for those in need, activate Jewish life, safeguard the people of Israel, and combat antisemitism and hatred locally and in more than 70 countries worldwide. Each year, Federation engages thousands of donors and volunteers to generate tens of millions of dollars in philanthropic support, sustaining a network that delivers critical services, builds community, and responds to urgent challenges.

Staff play a direct role in advancing this work across the Palm Beaches and beyond.

The Director of Philanthropy Strategy serves as a key member of the Development team, responsible for designing and executing a data-driven fundraising strategy that integrates prospect development, portfolio management, and operational excellence. The role unifies prospect strategy and development operations to drive measurable growth across Annual Campaign, Leadership Giving, Major Gifts, Meyer Community Foundation, and Capital Campaign initiatives.

Reporting to the Vice President of Philanthropy Strategy, the Director leads the application of prospect management best practices, ensuring a disciplined, donor-centric approach to identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship across Jewish Palm Beach households. The role establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate fundraising effectiveness, portfolio health, and revenue outcomes, translating data into actionable insights for frontline fundraisers, managers, and senior leadership.

Working cross-functionally with Campaign Operations, Reporting, and other internal partners, the Director fosters accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, serving as a central driver of sustained fundraising performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Portfolio & Moves Management:
Percentage of Time: 40%

• Lead the design and oversight of a comprehensive prospect management and moves management system for Jewish Palm Beach households, in partnership with PER leadership.
• Own portfolio strategy and health, including segmentation, tiering, coverage, and ongoing rebalancing to ensure optimal pipeline performance.
• Establish and oversee the systems and norms that guide frontline portfolio management, including assignments, activity expectations (meetings, solicitations, follow-up), and defined next steps for all $25,000+ donors and prospects.
• Align ask strategies with giving history and estimated capacity; track donor advancement across giving levels.
• Lead annual portfolio reviews and ongoing "portfolio hygiene," including reassignment and strategy refinement.
• Facilitate regular prospect strategy sessions with gift officers and lead quarterly cross-functional pipeline reviews.
• Partner with managers and frontline fundraisers to optimize portfolios, refine donor strategies, and elevate high-potential donors.
• Ensure alignment and coordination across Annual Campaign, Leadership Giving, Major Gifts, Meyer Community Foundation, and Capital Campaign efforts.
• Oversee the assignment of donors and prospects to portfolios and fundraising channels to maximize engagement and results.

Prospecting, Research & Data Management:
Percentage of Time: 20%

• Identify and evaluate prospects across Annual Campaign, Leadership Giving, Major Gifts, and Meyer Community Foundation, and Capital Campaign, ensuring portfolios are accurate, current, and aligned to fundraising goals.
• Leverage internal data, wealth screenings, and external research to expand and strengthen the prospect pipeline.
• Manage relationships and workflows with external research vendors and screening partners.
• Recommend and facilitate movement of prospects across portfolios and fundraising channels.
• Serve as CRM subject matter expert for prospect management, ensuring consistent use, strong data integrity, and continuous system improvement.
• Oversee tracking of prospect research, portfolio activity, and donor movement with CRM.

Performance Management, Reporting & Process Improvement:
Percentage of Time: 40%

• Define and monitor KPIs and benchmarks to assess pipeline health, portfolio performance, donor progression, and fundraiser effectiveness.
• Lead the development of reporting frameworks and tools, including dashboards, gift tables, and performance scorecards, to drive decision-making and transparency.
• Partner with the CRM and reporting teams to deliver actionable insights and analysis.
• Align systems, processes, and data to support scalable, high-performing fundraising operations.
• Contribute to campaign planning, goal setting, and overall fundraising strategy.
• Serve as a thought partner to senior leadership on growth opportunities and innovation, including the use of AI and predictive modeling.
• Collaborate with internal teams, agencies, and stakeholders to align priorities and enhance donor engagement.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Model a…