70 FACES MEDIA - Director of Philanthropy

Job Description

70 Faces Media, the largest and most diverse Jewish media organization in North America, is seeking an experienced and skilled fundraiser to join the team as Director of Philanthropy. This is a challenging role for an exceptionally talented leader.

Background: 

70 Faces Media is a not-for-profit digital media organization that recently formed through a groundbreaking merger of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), an international news agency, and MyJewishLearning, a digital Jewish content producer. The new entity also includes the brands Kveller, Jewniverse, The Nosher, and JTA Archive, and serves a syndication network of 70 global Jewish and Israeli newspapers and websites. The combined brands attract more than a million and a half visitors each month, qualifying 70 Faces Media as a leading hub for the entire Jewish community. 

70 Faces Media is guided by (and takes its name from) the ancient rabbinic teaching that there are seventy faces to the Torah — that the creation of knowledge and narrative is the product of diverse insights, perspectives and personalities.  The media brands united by 70 Faces Media likewise represent diverse gateways that appeal to audiences representing all walks of Jewish life. Increasing numbers of Jewish people across all denominations make 70 Faces Media brands their go-to resource for stories that are memorable, emotionally powerful, varied, and unbiased.

This is a time of momentum for 70 Faces Media, which is increasingly being viewed as an important investment in building and sustaining community for all Jewish people and reaching the unaffiliated and disaffected.  The dynamic, fast-moving organization now employs a growing, 25-person team, with scores of freelance contributors across North America and around the world — uniting not only intellectual horsepower but also the administration, finance, and audience development. This allows 70 Faces Media to better use resources to pilot ways to reach and engage more people.

The Position:

The Director of Philanthropy (“Director”) will play an integral, mission-critical role, leading philanthropic resource development of all kinds and advancing 70 Faces Media’s mission. 70 Faces Media currently generates approximately $1.9 million per year in recurring annual philanthropic support, in addition to about $1 million per year in special investments. The organization has a goal to raise $3+ million in annual support by 2019 while continuing to secure a significant amount of special grants each year. To accomplish these goals, The Director of Philanthropy will partner with the CEO, an engaged Board of Directors, and colleagues to achieve sustainable increases in support from individuals, foundations and corporations over the next several years. The Director will be responsible for launching and leading innovative growth initiatives that will broaden, deepen and diversify 70 Faces Media’s base of donors, for personally soliciting and securing gifts and grants, and for galvanizing the development team to apply fundraising best practices, strategy, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.

Specific Responsibilities:

Provide leadership, vision and strategy for growth

The Director will be a dynamic, big-picture fundraising professional with a track record of increasing resources. S/he will lead a small, but vibrant and proactive team that grows the organization. This position requires a hands-on approach and the ability to partner well with a strong CEO, an influential Board of Directors, and an exceptional leadership team. 

Grow and broaden major, private support

The Director will bring expertise in all areas of fundraising, with special strengths in building pipelines for major donors, relational major gift fundraising, and partnership-building with large foundations. S/he will excel at building relationships and be a persuasive frontline fundraiser and storyteller, inspiring people to support the mission. S/he will build a culture of philanthropy and create cross-promotional fundraising opportunities across the various brands.

Elevate donor attraction, participation and value proposition

In collaboration with the CEO and management team, the Director will develop a strong, convincing value proposition for 70 Faces Media and its brands. S/he will conceptualize ways to engage prospective donors, and will elevate donor engagement, appreciation for the distinctive value of 70 Faces Media’s approach, and financial investment.

Be a compelling external representative

The Director will be a credible, compelling representative of 70 Faces Media and its mission, able to expand 70 Faces Media’s base of support by enhancing the case for support, developing strategic systems and new initiatives, and through persuasive presentations, written communications, and social media.

Manage and develop the department and staff

The Director will be a strong manager of people and business, including budgeting skills and ROI analysis. The Director will develop talent, build a team and create an environment of collaboration and high standards. S/he will be an outstanding strategist, a collaborative peer leader and a hands-on mentor and player-coach for staff.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate must believe in and be committed to the mission and core values of 70 Faces Media. Additional attributes include:

• A minimum of ten years of experience and demonstrated success in a leadership role within a development function at a major nonprofit
• Proven ability to lead growth in contexts relevant to 70 Faces Media
• Experience and proven success in building and sustaining an organization’s brand and visibility in philanthropic circles
• Demonstrated success in creating and implementing a development strategy, and modifying as needed
• Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with donors and in asking for and closing major gifts and grants
• Skills across the development spectrum; grassroots fundraising experience a plus
• Ability to build and lead a creative, collaborative and effective development team, while working closely with the CEO, board and management team
• Entrepreneurial, resourceful and goal oriented
  • Collaborative, can-do spirit
  • High integrity, intellect and emotional intelligence
  • Outstanding interpersonal, listening and relational skills, and a sense of humor
  • High energy, creativity, and the ability to “roll up the sleeves”
  • Ability to manage multiple complex projects with diplomacy, tenacity, patience and a drive for results
  • A collaborative, team-based work approach that prioritizes the team and mission over individual egos and agendas
  • The capacity to thrive in a fast-paced environment, to adapt and produce quality work under pressure
  • Personal and professional confidence born of authentic ability
  • Superior written and verbal communications skills

Salary will be commensurate with experience.  70 Faces Media is an equal opportunity employer.  For more information about 70 Faces Media, please visit their website at http://70facesmedia.org/

To Apply:
70 Faces Media has retained the services of Harris Rand Lusk to conduct this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to:

Jack Lusk, President/CEO

or

Debbie Farrell/Director of Leadership and Development

Harris Rand Lusk
122 East 42th Street, Suite 3605

New York, NY 10168

[email protected] 

Please include a cover letter and resume, and put the words “70 Faces Media” in the subject line of your e-mailed application.

HARRIS ▪ RAND ▪ LUSK - 122 East 42^nd Street, Suite 3605  New York, NY 10168 - Phone: (212) 867-5577 - www.harrisrand.com