Vice President for Resource Development -- J Street

Vice President for Resource Development Washington, DC About The Search J Street is the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans fighting for the future of Israel as the democratic homeland of the Jewish people. The organization believes that preserving Israel’s Jewish and democratic character depends on achieving a two-state solution, resulting in Palestinian state living alongside Israel in peace and security. Rooted in its commitment to Jewish and democratic values, J Street was founded four years ago to redefine what it means to be pro-Israel in America and to change the dynamics of American politics around Israel. J Street works to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict because it’s in Israel’s and America’s interest. J Street is also expanding support for Israel by affirming – alongside many Israelis – that being pro-Israel does not require supporting every policy of its government. J Street is a $7 million organization with a national staff of 50. The organization is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has staff in 10 cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Tel Aviv. J Street has an expansive network of supporters engaged in pro-Israel, pro-peace activism in their communities, promoting active U.S. leadership to achieve a two-state solution. It represents more than 180,000 online supporters, 5,000 students, and 700 members of its Rabbinic Cabinet. In order to build on and continue the incredible growth experienced in the past 4 years, J Street is seeking an innovative and sophisticated Vice President for Resource Development. The Vice President for Resource Development will be responsible for the overall strategic direction, implementation and evaluation of the entire J Street resource development program. This multifaceted fundraising effort includes: political fundraising; advocacy fundraising; PAC fundraising; conference sponsorship, and traditional non-profit strategic development. Managing up to 10 staff in D.C. and around the country, s/he will lead and coordinate efforts to generate gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations. S/he must be an effective communicator with the ability to champion and share the mission, beliefs, and supported policies of J Street with donors and other supporters of the organization. This individual will report to the President and serve as part of the senior leadership team. S/he will also work closely with board members to increase participation and engagement in fundraising programs and initiatives. About J Street Launched in April 2008 to promote strong U.S. leadership to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, J Street originally consisted of a 501(c)(4) lobbying and advocacy organization and a legally independent political action committee known as JStreetPAC. Recognizing the importance of public education and grassroots organization to support their mission, J Street added a 501(c)(3) in 2009 called the J Street Education Fund. J Street focuses its work in three main areas: (1) Lobbying and advocating Middle East policy changes in Congress, the media, and the Jewish community; (2) Endorsing and raising money for federal candidates that share J Street’s agenda; and (3) Educating the public and raising awareness of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the two-state solution. J Street Vice President for Resource Development ______________________________________________________________________________________ J Street is being assisted in this recruitment by Development Resources, inc. All resumes and questions should be sent to search@driconsulting.com J Street is currently led by its original founder, Jeremy Ben-Ami. Jeremy served as the Deputy Domestic Policy Advisor in the White House to President Bill Clinton and has worked on seven Presidential campaigns, as well as numerous state and local campaigns. He later served as the National Policy Director for Howard Dean’s campaign in 2004. Jeremy spent three years working with non-profit organizations and politicians in Israel and was named one of the “50 Most Influential Jews” in the world by the Jerusalem Post and one of the “50 People of the Decade” by Ha’aretz, an influential Israeli daily newspaper. The J Street family of organizations is comprised of: J Street is a 501(c)(4) organization and registered lobby that seeks to complement the work of existing organizations and individuals that share their agenda through lobbying and advocacy efforts. JStreetPAC is the largest pro-Israel political action committee (PAC) in the U.S. and the first PAC formed to endorse and raise money for federal candidates who champion pro-Israel, pro-peace policies, including a two-state solution. In 2010, JStreetPAC distributed a record high of $1.5 million to endorse 61 candidates which led to 45 electoral victories. The J Street Education Fund (JSEF) is a legally independent 501(c)(3) organization that works to open up the conversation on Israel in the American Jewish community, educate Americans about the urgent need for a two-state solution, and organize Americans in support of active U.S. leadership to achieve this solution. JSEF is currently organizing in over 40 cities and on more than 60 campuses, with 700 Rabbis publicly serving on its National Rabbinic Cabinet. J Street runs many programs and events to support its mission including an annual national conference to bring together the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement in the U.S. and educational mission trips to the Middle East J Street J Street Education Fund JStreetPAC J Street Vice President for Resource Development ______________________________________________________________________________________ J Street is being assisted in this recruitment by Development Resources, inc. All resumes and questions should be sent to search@driconsulting.com About the Vice President for Resource Development Position The Vice President for Resource Development will lead a dynamic national fundraising and political team to increase support for J Street’s work. This team consists of 6 regional and 3 D.C.-based individuals. The Vice President for Resource Development will help create innovative short- and long-term development strategies to ensure J Street’s continued growth and broaden the organization’s impact. S/he will be responsible for the strategic direction and management of all fundraising activities, including expanding the donor base and growing major gifts. Key responsibilities will include:  Commit to the mission of J Street and support its policies and programs.  Work with the President to determine strategic direction, as well as short- and long-term resource development strategies.  Set short- and long-term goals for the entire development department and implement processes for ongoing monitoring and evaluation.  Manage a strong, successful resource development team focused on generating resources and cultivating leaders.  Be accountable for all development functions, including planning, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, events, direct marketing, and grant-writing.  Ensure that fundraising plans are integrated and successfully implemented across the organization (this includes plans for political campaign and grassroots fundraising).  Establish and implement a coordinated prospect management system.  Maintain strong relationships with board members and donors.  Growing the major donor base in New York, Los Angeles and other key fundraising hubs.  Supervise and mentor staff while developing talent and leveraging resources.  Effectively guide senior leaders and the Board through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship processes and strategies. Be a trusted advisor to colleagues.  Develop fundraising messages and case statements to be applied consistently across the organization.  Stay informed and engaged in areas related to J Street’s mission including philanthropic, political, economic, social, and community trends. Ideal Experience The Vice President for Resource Development must have a minimum of 10-15 years of successful development experience. The successful candidate will have broad knowledge of the development field and a successful record of raising money from all constituencies. S/he must have a strong background as an effective leader with experience managing and mentoring development professionals.  A Bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degree and record of continuing professional development preferred.  An ambitious, innovative, and creative approach to resource development strategies.  Diverse fundraising background with demonstrated success securing major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.  Exceptional management skills with the ability to foster collaboration and build unity in a national staff. Experience managing a staff of 5 or more is preferred.  Ability to motivate diverse groups to raise money and achieve fundraising goals.  Understanding of traditional fundraising and ability to raise resources for political candidates and advocacy.  Knowledge of PAC fundraising rules and regulations preferred.  Demonstrated achievement identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors. J Street Vice President for Resource Development ______________________________________________________________________________________ J Street is being assisted in this recruitment by Development Resources, inc. All resumes and questions should be sent to search@driconsulting.com  Understanding of and experience with prospecting, reporting, acknowledgement, and stewardship systems, as well as database management.  Demonstrated success working with Board members and a Senior Leadership team.  The capacity to build and maintain strong relationships with constituents of varied backgrounds, including, but not limited to, the Jewish community.  Understanding of philanthropic, advocacy, and political fundraising environments.  Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and concisely (both in writing and orally); listens as well as gives advice, and respects the abilities of others.  Proven ability to describe funding needs in a way that is compelling and comprehensive to potential donors.  Willingness to research effective processes and use best practices to establish new methods to evaluate work and share results. Ability to use these processes and methods to initiate improvements in program quality. Talents and Skills  Strong commitment to the mission and vision of J Street and a connection to the state of Israel, with the ability to serve as a strong, compelling ambassador for the organization.  Intelligence, confidence, and passion, as well as the ability to strategically harness the passion of others to maximize development opportunities.  Thorough understanding of political processes, positions, and current events. Must possess good political and personal intuition.  Demonstrated success managing teams, building consensus, and inspiring confidence and respect.  Natural ability to collaborate effectively as a leader and manager in a dynamic setting.  Exceptional organization, analytical, strategic planning, and research skills, with a quick learning curve.  Strategic thinker who can conceptualize and inspire others to reach their goals.  Strong attention to detail with the ability to solve problems, work independently, and excel in a high-performance culture.  Strong moral character and ethical behavior. To Apply Questions, resumes and CVs should be sent to: search@driconsulting.com. All first round interviews for the Vice President for Resource Development will take place at Development Resources, inc. or via telephone: 1601 N. Kent Street, Ste. 1200, Arlington, VA 22209, (703) 294-6684. J Street is an Equal Opportunity Employer. They encourage applications from qualified persons of every race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and