Development Officer

Description:

Be Part of the Momentum

Jewish Federation of San Diego is expanding its development team to match the scale of communal need and the new energy shaping Jewish life in our region. Over the past two years, hundreds of donors have deepened their connection to Federation through bold, purpose-driven philanthropy. To sustain this momentum, we are investing in roles that strengthen donor relationships, elevate stewardship, and build a reliable, diversified annual campaign.

The Development Officer is a new director-level role focused on managing and growing a robust mid-level donor portfolio. This position is designed for a driven relationship-builder who thrives in frontline fundraising, understands how to cultivate donor potential, and values the mix of autonomy, strategy, and hands-on execution required to move donors from interest to investment.

If you excel at connecting with people, advancing meaningful gifts, and helping donors see the impact of their generosity, this role offers the chance to contribute directly to the community’s strength and future.

The Role

The Development Officer manages a portfolio of 120–150 mid-level donors giving $5,000–$15,000 annually. The role centers on cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with a clear focus on retention, upgrades, and identifying pathways for donors to grow into major giving and long-term commitments. This position is hybrid, without an assigned office or cubicle, and requires comfort operating independently while collaborating with a fast-moving, mission-driven team.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Management and Fundraising

• Manages an active portfolio of 120–150 mid-level donors, ensuring consistent outreach, cultivation, and personalized stewardship.
• Secures annual gifts in the $5,000–$15,000 range, advancing donor upgrades and multi-year commitment opportunities.
• Conducts regular donor meetings, creating individualized engagement plans grounded in donor interests and Federation priorities.
• Identifies prospects within the portfolio for major gifts, legacy giving, missions, leadership programs, and other strategic pathways.

Donor Engagement and Stewardship

• Delivers a high-touch donor experience through timely follow-up, customized briefings, stewardship touchpoints, and coordinated communication.
• Works closely with colleagues to align donor engagement with events, parlor meetings, immersive experiences, and volunteer leadership opportunities.
• Partners with women’s philanthropy, emerging philanthropy, and major gifts to ensure a seamless donor journey across portfolios.

Collaboration and Campaign Support

• Coordinates with the Senior Director of Annual Campaign to support direct mail, digital outreach, Fed360 follow-up, and campaign activation strategy.
• Collaborates cross-functionally with marketing, community programs, finance, and events teams to maintain consistency in messaging, data integrity, and donor experience.
• Uses Salesforce to track activity, analyze donor behavior, and maintain accurate records that inform campaign strategy.

Organizational Leadership

• Contributes to department-wide strategy discussions, team meetings, and integrated planning processes.
• Represents Federation at community events, donor gatherings, and other engagement settings as needed.
• Supports the culture of donor-centered excellence, collaborative drive, and authentic stewardship that guides the Development team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 5 years of fundraising, sales, donor relations, or relationship-management experience.
• Demonstrated success managing a personal portfolio and securing gifts or revenue.
• Ability to build trust, ask for support with confidence, and translate organizational impact into compelling donor cases.
• Strong organizational and CRM skills; Salesforce experience preferred.
• Familiarity with Jewish communal life and Federation mission preferred.
• Ability to work independently in a hybrid environment and manage a dynamic schedule including some evenings and weekends.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, director-level role based in San Diego, CA.

Salary range: $95,000 – $105,000 annually

Federation offers a competitive benefits package, retirement plan, and generous paid leave, including vacation, sick time, and 22 paid holidays per year.

About Jewish Federation of San Diego

For nearly 90 years, Jewish Federation of San Diego has strengthened Jewish identity, cared for Jews in need, and invested in meaningful connections with Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. With more than 100,000 Jews in 50,000 households across the region, we are a vibrant, diverse, and collaborative community. Our staff is mission-driven, growth-oriented, and committed to building a strong, connected future for Jewish life in San Diego.

Federation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, genetics, veteran status, or any other protected class.

Requirements:

Physical Requirements and Equipment

The employee must be able to sit, stand, walk, speak, and hear regularly; occasionally lift up to 25 pounds; and crouch, stoop, or reach. Travel for donor meetings and events is required. The role is hybrid: regular staff meetings are in the office with most time spent meeting with donors outside of the office.