Development Director at University of Michigan Hillel

Applications submitted through the Hillel International website will NOT be considered. To apply, please submit your application through the DRG Talent website linked HERE. To see the full job description on the DRG Talent website, please click HERE. 

Development Director 

University of Michigan Hillel

Role Overview

The Development Director at the University of Michigan Hillel Foundation in Ann Arbor, MI, will direct the planning and implementation of a multi-pronged fundraising strategy for one of the premier Hillels in the nation. U-M Hillel enhances the lives of Jewish students through diverse Jewish religious and cultural programming and robust Israel engagement. The Development Director will be a strategic thought partner to the CEO, serve as a senior leadership team member, and supervise the development staff, which includes the Development Manager and the Database Manager. The primary responsibilities of the Development Director will be to oversee and direct our multi-million-dollar annual fundraising campaign including management of donor cultivation, implement our grassroots fundraising channels, and special events as needed. The Development Director will also play a leading role in our Centennial campaign effort.

What You’ll Do

Development Strategy & Management 

• Design and implement a comprehensive annual development plan that maintains the fiscal health of the organization.
• Exercise daily oversight of progress toward fundraising goals. 
• Partner with the CEO to strategically identify new major gift prospects and cultivation of major gift donors. 

Donor & Board Engagement

• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of mid-level donors throughout Southeast Michigan and nationally, curate a portfolio of major donors for the Chief Executive Officer.
• Staff the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees.
• Develop and implement stewardship plans for all donors. 

Communication & Fiscal Management

• Oversee the strategy and the Development Manager’s implementation of the annual campaign through the management of our grassroots fundraising efforts which include direct mail, digital appeals including a mix of mass-solicitation tools like email, text messaging, social media, and snail mail campaigns.
• Ensure donor data and interactions are accurately captured in the Little Green Light (LGL) database.
• Work with the finance team to ascertain congruous record-keeping across the development and financial operations.
• Supervise the operations for the alternative gift vehicles such as matching gifts, payroll giving, and donor-advised funds.

Position Priorities

• Create and implement an organizational development plan, incorporating events, individual, corporate, grant writing, and institutional giving.
• Establish sustaining relationships with potential, current, and past donors in the Southeast Michigan community.
• Become a significant presence in the Detroit Jewish community; raise awareness, hold events, connect with alumni, etc.
• Create a thoughtful strategy around in person friendraising and fundraising events.
• Be an active member of the Senior Team, bring perspective, opinions and leadership to the staff culture; collaborate actively.  

Qualifications and Characteristics

• Successful track record managing fundraising campaigns, one-on-one solicitation, and reporting.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Excel and Microsoft suite. Experience with CRM and data management; LGL experience is ideal. Comfort with zoom presentations, an ability to engage people in person and online with ease.
• Passion for the Jewish community, Israel, and familiarity with the Jewish calendar and religious practice.
• An awareness of current trends in the Jewish community and philanthropy

Who You Are

• You can work in a fast-paced work environment.
• You are willing to try and ok making mistakes, as long as they are really trying and learning from experience.
• You are incredibly outgoing, enjoy conversations and putting yourself out there to meet new people.
• You have demonstrated the ability to supervise others or have led a team on specific projects and can give constructive feedback (and have the references to back it up!)
• You make decisions; and when asked questions, you respond with clear direction and a supportive answer. 

Who We Are

Work Environment

This is a hybrid position, in Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan. The Development Director will be expected to work on-site in Ann Arbor two to three days a week. A typical week will include multiple meetings throughout Metro Detroit.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

University of Michigan Hillel is an equal opportunity employer—we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

University of Michigan Hillel provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

What You’ll Receive

• Competitive salary in the nonprofit marketplace. The salary range for this role is $75,000-$100,000
• Health insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, long-term disability (LTD), vacation/sick time, and generous parental leave.
• Paid opportunities for professional development, peer engagement, mentoring, and skill-building.
• A supportive and committed board of lay leaders and a passionate alumni base.
• Travel regionally and nationally for work.

About University of Michigan Hillel

The University of Michigan Hillel was the third Hillel Foundation in North America, established in 1926. Michigan Hillel’s history matches the remarkable changes in the University and the times of the nation during its more than nine decades on campus. From its earliest days, Hillel played a significant role in campus life, serving not only the religious needs of the campus Jewish community but also providing a center for social, political, and artistic expression. In 1937, The Hillel Players produced the first play of an undergraduate named Arthur Miller. During the Vietnam War years, Hillel was the focus of much of the campus debate and political action. In the 1980s, Hillel began to play a major role in the intellectual and cultural life of the university. Today, U-M Hillel is a leader in the Hillel movement, supporting the social, emotional, and spiritual lives of nearly 6,500 Jewish students at Michigan.

For more information about the University of Michigan Hillel, go to https://michiganhillel.org/.