VP, Development

Title: VP, Development

Position: Full-time exempt team member

Location: Anywhere in the U.S.

Estimated Salary: $140,000-160,000 pending location and experience + benefits

Organizational Background

American Friends of University of Haifa (American Friends of University of Haifa) is a U.S. 501c3 nonprofit organization, whose mission is to showcase, celebrate, and raise funds for the programs of the University of Haifa in Israel.

Uniquely positioned, the University of Haifa is located in a city, atop a mountain, and by the sea. As a result, the University of Haifa draws on its surroundings and distinct eco- systems to serve as a world-class location for teaching, research, study, and active community engagement across many disciplines. From architecture to marine biology and from design to data science, the University of Haifa is realizing its vision of a shared society by attracting students and faculty from all backgrounds in the pursuit of knowledge, to engage with each other in a local setting to solve global problems.

In the U.S., American Friends of University of Haifa serves as a vital connection to the University of Haifa. Institutional partners, individual supporters, university alumni, and U.S. communities engaged in intersectional research each benefit from strengthening relations between the U.S. and the University of Haifa.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, VP, Development is a dynamic and effective member of the American Friends of University of Haifa team. The VP, Development cultivates and stewards a portfolio of major gift prospects from traditional and non-traditional constituents. The VP, Development leads the development of strategy and tactics to deliver their highly ambitious fundraising goals.

The VP, Development will also work closely with other American Friends of University of Haifa fundraisers, University of Haifa colleagues, Vice Presidents, Development and Chief Executive Officer on Board pipelining and development, to strengthen Board leadership of eight figure annual gifts, and inspiring others around the work of the University of Haifa.

All American Friends of University of Haifa fundraisers actively engage with the University of Haifa in Israel. Fundraisers encourage donors and prospects to visit the University and engage with faculty from the University visiting the U.S. Fundraisers assist in the planning and logistics of donor and faculty visits to and from the University and the U.S.

Summary of Responsibilities

  • Carry and build a minimum portfolio of six- and seven-figure prospects, and engage towards eight-figure prospects.
  • Engage own network, existing constituents, lapsed/past donors, and new leads to help exceed a $150M target to celebrate the University of Haifa’s 50th anniversary, and beyond.
  • Cultivate and steward a nationwide portfolio of major gifts donors, prospects, and connectors.
  • Support the Chief Executive Officer with Board and Fundraising Committee engagement and Board recruitment.
  • Actively engage University of Haifa alumni in relationship building.
  • Enhance unrestricted funding while generating programmatic funding.
  • Advance blended gift approaches, including planned giving.
  • Host or support development and implementation of fundraising and friend-raising events.
  • Draft and/or support grant proposals, proposal inquiries, Letters of Intent/Interest, and other formal documentation.
  • Maintain and leverage Salesforce as a daily repository and a planning tool, to inform fundraising strategy and priorities, measure outputs and drive towards planned outcomes.
  • Serve as a collaborative colleague with other development staff and across American Friends of University of Haifa.
  • Establish and maintain credibility throughout the organization as an effective solution-focused team player.
  • Actively coordinate across American Friends of University of Haifa to plan and manage activities towards American Friends of University of Haifa annual goals.
  • Directly plan and implement events focused on current donors, prospects, and alumni.
  • Strategically plan and carry out travel within the S. to close significant gifts.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. American Friends of University of Haifa does not sponsor employment-related visas.
  • Ability to travel freely within the S. and to/from Israel.
  • 6+ years of non-profit fundraising experience, successfully raising major gifts through a significant portfolio of prospects and donors.
  • Experience fundraising from a variety of sources, for example individuals, the private sector, private foundations, and/or government agencies.
  • Demonstrated success partnering with individual donors, and establishing internal and external relationships, to inspire increased investment in American Friends of University of Haifa and the University of Haifa.
  • Effective user of Salesforce, both as a primary repository for data gathering and data management, and as a planning tool to inform fundraising strategy and priorities, measure progress, and drive towards planned outcomes.
  • Familiarity with 501(c)(3) regulations in a fundraising role, particularly a “Friends Of” organization or similar.
  • Demonstrated entrepreneurial approach, a natural connector between people of shared interests.
  • A broad national network of donors and/or prospects.
  • Ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment. Experience communicating collaboratively and positively in support of multiple and often competing priorities. Sound project management and creative problem-solving skills are highly desirable.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, with considerable experience in writing and presenting information to a variety of audiences. Developing high-quality communications and presentations highly desirable.
  • Ability to work both independently and as an active team member participant.
  •  Excellent use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Office, and basic Microsoft programs.
  • Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or equivalent experience is required.
  • American “Friends of” an Israeli organization experience preferred.
  • Familiarity with Israel.

American Friends of University of Haifa Benefits and Working Environment

  • American Friends of University of Haifa offers generous employee benefits, and a flexible and collaborative working environment. American Friends of University of Haifa staff are eligible for three weeks of paid time off, plus observance of some U.S. federal public holidays plus key Jewish holidays.
  • American Friends of University of Haifa is working in fully remote environment and work mat be performed from any location in the US.
  • While a small team, the American Friends of University of Haifa work force is distributed broadly across the U.S. This means occasional meetings outside of typical working hours to engage with colleagues in different time zones.
  • The work will include prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • The work may include for U.S. domestic travel and travel to Israel as safety and business needs allow.

Not sure if you meet every requirement? Apply anyway.

We would like to hear from everyone who believes they are qualified for this position. We want to work within a diverse and dynamic team, where all of us are engaged together to make the way we live and work more equitable.

All applications will be considered, and candidates will be selected based on qualifications and experiences appropriate to the position, and without regard to anyone’s race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, marital or partnership status, citizenship or alienage status, veteran status, or any other characteristic irrelevant to the job at hand.

How To apply:

By email to: Hiring@American Friends of University of Haifa.org with the subject line: “VP, Development”.

 Please include your resume, LinkedIn profile link, salary expectations, and a thoughtful cover letter to let us know why you will be a great addition to the team. We look forward to hearing from you.

We regret that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Incomplete applications will not be considered. No calls please.