The Development Officer works in partnership with the executive director and lay leadership, to plan and implement the annual campaign and major gifts fundraising effort. Reporting to the Executive director, responsibilities include research, cultivation, engagement, solicitation of funds, implementation of cultivation and fundraising events, committee meetings, and other projects.

Key Responsibilities:
• Developing a strategy for implementing annual campaigns and major donor solicitations in partnership with the Executive Director and Development committee.
• Employing a variety of fundraising techniques including face-to-face solicitations, fundraising events, educational programs, door openers, phone sessions, and written communications.
• Educating donors and prospects about the mission of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires through one-on-one and group cultivation activities.
• Working with lay leadership to identify, cultivate, and establish new donor relationships.
• Building and maintaining trusted relationships with lay leaders, and donors as well as implementing strategies to increase their level of financial commitment.
• Involving lay leadership in a strategic and planned manner. Provide necessary professional support to the development committee, including agenda setting, preparing reports and presentations, writing meeting notes, and providing necessary follow-up.
• Identifying, training, and overseeing volunteer solicitors.
• Planning and implementing key fundraising events with support from the development committee and the Federation support team.
Skills/Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Three plus years minimum fundraising experience including one-on-one and phone solicitation.
• Comfortable with high-net-worth donors.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, relationship-building skills, and customer service orientation.
• Communication skills, written and verbal, are extremely important, especially the art of listening.
• Knowledge of and passion for Federation’s mission.
• Team player with the ability to multitask.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and familiarity with fundraising databases.
• Working knowledge of zoom technology and facilitating virtual meetings and events.