The Opportunity

The Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement role is an exceptional opportunity for a relationship builder to create and drive fundraising strategies that generate significant results during an exciting time for The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). As the leading development professional for JTS, a storied as well as forward-thinking institution, the Vice Chancellor will partner with the Chancellor in expanding JTS’s reach. Reporting to the Chancellor and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the Vice Chancellor will be self-motivated, tenacious, and inspirational in interacting with all levels of leadership, key stakeholders, institutional partners, alumni, and high-capacity donors.

As a member of the Senior Executive Team, the Vice Chancellor will participate in a groundbreaking strategic planning process. They will lead a strong 15-person development staff that generates approximately $13 - $15 million annually in international philanthropic gifts. Collaborating with the Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, the Vice Chancellor will support resource allocation to educate future leaders and further scholarship in Jewish thought, culture, and religion, and its application to the contemporary Jewish world and beyond.

The Jewish Theological Seminary

Founded in 1886, The Jewish Theological Seminary has evolved from an institution dedicated to training rabbis and promoting Jewish scholarship in America to a Jewish university with a world-class faculty, diverse student body, and unrivalled library. JTS grants undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees and offers enriching programs for the Jewish community in the United States, Israel, and around the world. JTS is also the intellectual and spiritual center of Conservative Judaism.

Vice Chancellor and Chief Development Officer

The Vice Chancellor and Chief Development Officer is responsible for a resource development operation that supports The Jewish Theological Seminary’s mission and programs, building on existing advancement efforts and successfully pursuing new opportunities to grow funding and engagement.

Responsibilities

• Create, implement, and oversee all aspects of philanthropic outreach, including developing a solid fundraising plan aligned with the institution’s strategic priorities and multi-year planning, emphasizing the diversification and growth of the donor base.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward high-level gifts from a portfolio of current and prospective donors while partnering with and supporting the Chancellor, Board, and senior leaders in their philanthropic outreach.
• Build and lead a team of highly motivated development professionals who raise funds across all channels: major gifts, events, grants, alumni giving, direct mail, stewardship, planned giving, lay leadership advisory boards, Conservative synagogues, and the grass-roots Conservative Movement Torah Fund campaign.
• Effectively and thoughtfully manage development systems, processes, and metrics to monitor, project, and guide fundraising results and activities with accountability to the Board and institutional leadership.
• In close collaboration with the Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, monitor financial projections throughout the year to deliver on budgetary expectations and oversee the interface between Development and Finance.
• Work closely with the communications team to develop and execute a strategic marketing and communications plan that effectively drives growth, awareness, and visibility to JTS’s work.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in all aspects of fundraising including the solicitation of principal gifts, foundation support, and program-specific giving.
• Experience managing a portfolio of current and prospective major donors and executing a capital campaign.
• Experience managing and supervising a large team of fundraisers including the ability to inspire, motivate, influence, and hold a team accountable to high standards and goals.
• Success partnering with institutional leadership to achieve ambitious philanthropic goals.
• Ability to learn and gain deep understanding of the diverse range of programs at JTS and their impact to meaningfully engage philanthropic support.
• Possess a collaborative, team-driven orientation with the ability to partner internally with deans, program directors, and administration.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on the ability to persuade and influence others around ideas, decisions, and financial support.
• Deep understanding of the Jewish philanthropic landscape and demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of the organized Jewish community, including the Conservative Movement.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and execute responsibilities in the face of conflicting priorities or unexpected situations.
• Possess the qualities of a sophisticated diplomat including a high level of discretion.
• New-York based; willing to travel to engage high-end donors.