Overview
The Director of Development is responsible for leading Bernard Zell’s highly successful fundraising program and developing close relationships with donors. Fundraising goals for the program are close to $2 million annually and include annual campaign, designated, endowed and capital giving.  This management level position is a key member of the school’s advancement team and reports to the Director of Advancement.  

Bernard Zell – Who We Are
Bernard Zell is an independent, progressive Jewish day school serving 540 students in nursery through eighth grade. The school combines the best of Jewish learning and traditions with innovative educational practices in a rigorous and nurturing learning environment. At Bernard Zell, dedicated educators partner with Jewish families to fulfill the goal of raising children to be their best selves and good citizens of their communities.

Responsibilities 
The successful candidate will be responsible for the design, implementation, and management of all Bernard Zell’s fundraising activities. Responsibilities include:

• Work with lay leadership, Head of School and the Director of Advancement to develop fundraising growth strategies
• Create and implement cultivation and stewardship plans for key donors and prospects
• Manage and grow donor recognition programs including the creation of recognition opportunities, events and communications
• Create development strategy for specific donor segments including parents, grandparents, alumni, and faculty/staff
• Identify prospects for designated giving needs and manage the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship process
• Manage all solicitations and perform select ones
• Oversee all campaign operations, including the preparation of donor lists for publications and direct mail appeals, as needed
• Develop a comprehensive planned-giving and endowment program
• Manage corporate and foundation relations
• Report on and analyze campaign progress, results and gift trends
• Work with the Director of Marketing and Communications to create campaign messaging and materials

Qualifications and Skills 

• A minimum of 5-10 years professional fundraising experience, preferably in a Jewish environment
• Knowledge & experience with Raiser’s Edge preferred
• Major gifts expertise and proven track-record of meeting fundraising goals
• Skilled at developing relationships with lay leaders and donors; motivating volunteers to meet goals
• Project management expertise; strong operations background
• Strategic decision maker; organized, creative thinker and effective communicator
• Ability to establish goals, prioritize multiple requests and demonstrate results
• Effective, high-energy, can-do team player
• Knowledge and experience working in the Jewish community; knowledge of Hebrew a plus