Senior Manager, Donor Relations

Company Description

The Elayne and James Schoke Jewish Family Service of Fairfield County is dedicated to sustaining individuals and families through life's challenges while fostering strong and healthy communities. As a dynamic and evolving social service agency, Schoke JFS provides innovative solutions to meet the growing needs of the community. With a reputation for professionalism and compassion, the organization offers a wide array of programs and services.

Role Description

This is a full-time, on-site role located in Stamford, and Fairfield, CT, for a Senior Manager, Donor Relations. The Senior Manager is responsible for cultivating and stewarding relationships that advance Schoke JFS’s mission through philanthropy, partnerships, and community engagement. Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer, this role emphasizes relationship management over transactions, ensuring that every donor, partner, and volunteer feels meaningfully connected to the work of Schoke JFS.

This is a senior-level position that will work closely with Executive Leadership, the Board of Directors, and other staff to drive fundraising, donor engagement, and strategic relationship-building.

Key Responsibilities

Philanthropy & Donor Engagement

• Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, with a focus on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts at the annual and major gift levels.
• Develop and implement, new cultivation, solicitation, stewardship and retention strategies with the goal to increase annual giving, in partnership with the other Senior Manager on the development team.
• Support all fundraising campaigns, including solicitation materials, mailings, and follow-up.
• Support donor acknowledgment and stewardship processes in collaboration with staff, vendors, and board members.
• Promote planned giving opportunities, including the Grinspoon Life & Legacy program, to grow the agency’s endowment.

Strategic Partnerships & Community Relationships

• Serve as a relationship-builder across the community, engaging synagogues, businesses, foundations, and civic leaders as partners in Schoke JFS’s work.
• Collaborate with the Community Partnerships Manager to ensure smooth handoff of high-potential volunteers and community partners into the donor pipeline.
• Build and steward partnerships that yield not only donations, but also professional expertise, volunteer leadership, and advocacy.

Events & Campaigns

• Support all major fundraising events, including the annual gala, donor appreciation events, and cultivation gatherings.
• Manage fundraising committees, campaign chairs, and volunteer leaders in the successful execution of events and campaigns.
• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing to design and execute donor communications, newsletters, and publicity materials.

Board & Leadership Engagement

• Support and guide the Board of Directors, board chair, and fundraising committees in their fundraising and stewardship roles including to identify, engage, and cultivate new donor prospects.
• Train and coach board and staff in effective donor engagement strategies.
• Provide reports and data analysis on fundraising outcomes, donor trends, and partnership growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience in fundraising, nonprofit management, or related field.
• 5 years of successful experience in fundraising, donor relations, or partnership building.
• Successful track record of cultivating, soliciting, and securing individual and institutional gifts.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to engage diverse stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and board members.
• Strong organizational and project management skills; ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with donor databases and Microsoft Office; experience with Salsa, GiveSmart or similar CRM preferred.
• Familiarity with Jewish communal life and Fairfield County community preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of the principles of fundraising, including current best practices and strategies.