Director of Development

Title: Director of Development, Touro Synagogue 

Submission Deadline: TBD

ABOUT TOURO SYNAGOGUE

Founded in 1828, Touro Synagogue is a historic Reform Jewish congregation in New Orleans with a long-standing commitment to spiritual life, social justice, education, and community. As the congregation approaches its Bicentennial, Touro continues to serve as a vibrant center for Jewish worship, learning, and connection. The congregation is stewarding both present-day programming and long-term financial sustainability with the following vision: ensuring that Touro remains a thriving, inclusive, and forward-looking Jewish community for generations to come.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Touro Synagogue seeks a strategic, relational, and systems-minded Director of Development to build and lead a unified development function.

This role will establish the strategic and operational foundation for long-term fundraising success, strengthen donor engagement and stewardship, and help cultivate a culture of philanthropy aligned with Touro’s Bicentennial vision and beyond.

The Director of Development will serve as a trusted partner to clergy, professional staff, and lay leaders in advancing integrated fundraising efforts that support both immediate operating needs and long-term legacy growth.

POSITION OBJECTIVES

• Develop and lead a unified development strategy supporting the mission and priorities of Touro Synagogue 
• Establish the systems, processes, and coordination required for long-term fundraising success
• Partner with Touro Synagogue Foundation leadership in order to build a strategic plan to best support the long-term and endowment needs of Touro Synagogue 
• Launch and steward planned and legacy giving efforts, including expansion of the Tzedakah Society, Touro’s planned giving society 
• Strengthen donor cultivation, recognition, and engagement across programs and initiatives
• Foster a culture of philanthropy across clergy, staff, and lay leadership

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Develop and implement an integrated development strategy spanning annual giving, major gifts, endowment growth, and planned giving
• Align fundraising priorities with institutional goals in partnership with clergy, the Executive Director, and Foundation leadership
• Contribute strategic direction to existing fundraising initiatives, including Jazz Fest Shabbat, annual events, sponsorships, and other campaigns

Planned & Legacy Giving

• Lead strategy, outreach, and donor engagement related to planned and legacy giving
• Grow and steward the Tzedakah Society
• Develop individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies for legacy and complex donor situations

Donor Systems & Coordination

• Design and manage systems for donor tracking, communication, pipeline management, and stewardship
• Coordinate annual commitment processes with broader giving strategies, particularly for major donors supporting multiple areas
• Implement consistent recognition and cultivation practices across programs; build and manage systems and processes for these practices  

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

• Guide donors through the giving lifecycle, from cultivation to solicitation to stewardship
• Partner closely with clergy and leadership in high-level donor relationships
• Support volunteer and lay leaders in fundraising engagement efforts; staff the Philanthropy Committee

REPORTING & GOVERNANCE

• Reports to the Executive Director of Touro Synagogue 
• Quarterly priority-setting and alignment meetings
• Quarterly updates with the Touro Synagogue Foundation leadership 
• Success is measured through a jointly developed scorecard reviewed quarterly

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or advancement
• Demonstrated success in planned giving, endowment growth, major gifts, and annual giving programs
• Experience building or strengthening development systems, processes, and donor pipelines
• Strong relationship-building skills with donors, staff, and volunteer leadership
• Experience navigating complex donor situations with strategic insight
• Experience working with boards, foundations, or fiduciary entities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Comfort using CRMs and project management platforms (e.g., Asana)

Preferred

• Experience in faith-based, cultural, or mission-driven organizations
• Familiarity with Jewish communal institutions or synagogue life in New Orleans
• Collaborative, flexible leadership style
• Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to balance strategy and execution