BACKGROUND

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, widely known as "the university that built the nation of Israel," was founded on Mount Scopus in 1918 (30 years before the founding of the State of Israel) by visionaries including Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Chaim Weizmann, and Martin Buber. Opened in 1925, The Hebrew University is now 'Israel's premier academic institution and the 'country's research powerhouse.

Hebrew University enrolls 24,000 students from Israel and 90 other countries in its seven academic Faculties in the Humanities, Science, Law, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Dental Medicine, and Medicine, and 14 schools. Its students, faculty, and alumni have won eight Nobel Prizes.

 AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY (AFHU)

 AFHU is a national, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in New York City. AFHU was founded in 1925 to raise awareness of and support for the Hebrew University. Through the philanthropic leadership of American Friends across the U.S., AFHU helps the University to recruit and retain outstanding faculty, build teaching and research facilities, provide scholarships and fellowships, and advance basic and applied research in a myriad of vital fields.

AFHU's national and regional programs, events, and missions to Israel promote a greater appreciation of Hebrew University's breadth and scope of achievements and the University's pivotal role in educating leaders for the State of Israel. Moreover, by nurturing Israel's greatest natural resource—the intellectual strength of the nation's people—AFHU helps The Hebrew University improve human health, lead the way with agricultural innovation, spearhead the latest breakthroughs in brain sciences, and illuminate the world through the humanities.

AFHU has a staff of 45 professionals with regional offices in NYC, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Ft. Lauderdale, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and a satellite office in Philadelphia. With an endowment of over $700 million, AFHU raises approximately $60 million a year and growing. AFHU's contribution is over half of the University's overall fundraising goal. For more information on AFHU and Hebrew University, please visit www.afhu.org.

NORTHEAST REGION

The Northeast Region, one of six regional offices, is located at the National Headquarters on Water Street, convenient to all major subway lines in Manhattan's Financial District, with seven staff. The region spans Pennsylvania to Maine and raises approximately $13 million annually. Chief Executive Officer Joshua Rednik leads AFHU. The Philanthropy Officer for the Northeast region will report directly to Maura Milles, Executive Director of the region, and a member of the AFHU team for the past eight years.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Northeast Region seeks an exceptional front-line fundraiser who demonstrates confidence, polish, and a natural ability to put others at ease. The ideal candidate should be someone who wants to join a dynamic team of professionals to work on a major-gifts-driven campaign. S/he will have a unique opportunity to incorporate his/her diverse fundraising skills from direct solicitations, major event management, and educational programming.

In particular, AFHU expects this position to develop prospects in law, finance, and real estate, for which the organization provides many opportunities to cultivate these individuals. The region hosts parlor meetings with visiting faculty members, alumni gatherings, luncheons, leadership forums, and award dinners.

The ideal candidate will have a successful track record as a self-starter cultivating and soliciting major gifts, event-management experience, excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) with prospects and donors, and a strong familiarity with the Jewish philanthropic community. S/he will also possess a deep commitment to the mission of AFHU and be energized by its vital contribution to Hebrew University.

The organization's office is open, but it is not required to work from there.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

This position is an opportunity to align yourself with one of the world's top universities. The University routinely receives international attention for advances in medicine, the invention of new drug platforms, major archaeological discoveries, and international partnerships reflective of the University's global stature. From bioengineering to brain research and from law to human rights. Hebrew University offers donors and prospects a wealth of investments to interest their philanthropic giving. Donors can leverage their gifts, knowing that research and discoveries made at Hebrew University help Israel and the world.

The staff at AFHU is highly regarded in the Jewish philanthropic community, and the Executive Director of the Northeast Region is seeking candidates who are creative and have intellectual curiosity; AFHU is large enough so that there are opportunities for growth. The Philanthropy Officer of the Northeast region will have the opportunity to grow the awareness of the work of Hebrew University in the northeast, try new ideas, involve new and younger donors and alumni, and raise more funds to enable the University to turn dreams into realities. Towards that end, this position will need to expand the pipeline of prospects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with the Northeast Region Executive Director to develop regional strategic plans and implement and evaluate major giving campaigns.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of gift prospects (five-six-figures) in the Northeast region at different stages of the development process; design and implement strategies for their identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Pursue proactive prospect outreach, develop alumni programs, and further develop the planned giving program.
• Plan, execute and manage high-level fundraising events and parlor meetings and generate new and exciting programs for outreach to expand the donor base, including the next generation of donors with major gift potential.
  
• Collaborate effectively with the regional team and the National staff to ensure maximum fundraising effectiveness to meet Regional and National goals.
• Identify and cultivate lay leaders for future leadership roles for the region, the National organization, and the University;
• Work strategically with lay leaders to encourage them to build bridges and utilize their networks to help develop stronger relationships with other lay leaders, prospects, and donors;
• Serve as an enthusiastic and well-informed spokesperson for AFHU and Hebrew University; continuously learn about university programs, research, and developments, and share them with selected donors and prospects;
• Plan fundraising visits by University faculty with donors and prospects in the region and one-on-one meetings to make the University relevant to donors and prospects.
• Ability to travel throughout the region as needed.
• Travel to Israel when deemed appropriate by AFHU.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is a plus.
• At least five-seven years of successful fundraising experience within a Jewish communal, higher education, or nonprofit setting; sales experience in the private sector is also welcomed.
  
• Significant experience identifying, cultivating, and soliciting five- to six-figure gifts from individual and family foundations.
• Familiarity with the Jewish philanthropic communities throughout the Northeast Region and acquainted with issues about Israel.
• Must be a self-starter, work independently, yet be a part of a team.
• Outstanding interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills are a necessity.
• Present the Hebrew University story convincingly and professionally in a way that engages, inspires, and generates enthusiasm among prospects.
• Ability to work highly collegially within a complex national and international organizational culture.
• Be an ambitious and motivated development professional who values a results-driven and highly collaborative work environment.
• Have a strong work ethic, be determined and decisive, and exhibit sound judgment and grace under pressure.
• Be innovative, tenacious, and motivated to take on new challenges.
• A deep personal resonance with the mission of the Hebrew University and the keen ability to present the case for support to prospects and donors.
• Excellent computer skills; proficient in Microsoft Suite, Raiser's Edge, and other relevant programs, databases, and reporting systems.