Director of Advancement & Engagement, Chicago
American Jewish Committee

AJC has 25 U.S. Regional Offices; 14 overseas posts and regional institutes that serve as their advocacy hubs in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East; and 38 partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide.

AJC maintains high-level relationships with government officials and civic leaders in the U.S. and over 110 other nations.

AJC engages more than 3.5 million advocates in multiple languages—including Arabic, French, German, and Spanish—across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

At 6:30 a.m., October 7, Hamas, the Iran-backed terror group controlling Gaza, launched an unprovoked and vicious surprise attack on Israel.

Around the world—from the hallways of the UN in New York, to the corridors of the European Union in Brussels, and to the countries of Asia—American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, advocates for Israel at the highest levels. And when Israel is under assault, whether from the terrorist organizations on her doorstep or the global BDS movement, AJC helps bring the world the truth about Israel.

To learn more about AJC's involvement in defending Israel, click here.

AJC builds alliances and pursues policies to confront resurgent hate.

In recent years, we have witnessed violent attacks on Jews and Jewish institutions, proposals in some countries to ban central Jewish religious practices, and anti-Jewish sentiments expressed by the leaders of far right- and left-wing political parties. American Jewish Committee (AJC) counters antisemitism in all its guises by calling on governments to act and by organizing coalitions with other faith and ethnic groups to forge a united front against hate.

To learn more about AJC's involvement in combating antisemitism, click here.

AJC believes the struggle against radicalism is an imminent threat, and a battle we must win.

To prevail in the fight against terrorism, AJC fights the spread of extremism in the Middle East, in Europe, and around the world. AJC shines a harsh spotlight on Iran’s role as the world’s foremost state sponsor of terror, promote counter-radicalism programs, and call out nations that subsidize the Palestinian leadership’s money-for-terrorism scheme. 

To learn more about AJC's involvement in countering radicalism and extremism, click here.

AJC battles the insidious BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) movement on multiple fronts.

BDS markets itself as a non-violent movement to boycott, divest from, and sanction Israel to get it to withdraw to its pre-1967 borders. While many rank and file members of the movement sincerely want peace and are lured in by this human rights façade, BDS leadership in fact seeks nothing less than the elimination of Israel as a Jewish state. 

To learn more about AJC's involvement in defeating BDS, click here.

AJC builds powerful coalitions with religious leaders and their communities worldwide.

AJC has a long and successful history of building strong relationships with other religious groups. Locally, nationally, and internationally, AJC partners with Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain communities to combat antisemitism and religious extremism. Creating strong coalitions enables AJC to cultivate support for democracy and pluralism, defend Israel’s place in the world, and safeguard freedom of worship for all.

To learn more about AJC's involvement in building interreligious alliances, click here.

AJC fights to protect human rights and prevent genocide.

AJC’s Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights (JBI) works to combat religious intolerance, end torture, and oppose all forms of discrimination, issues of central importance to the Jewish community and beyond. AJC protects human rights around the world by engaging with governments, diplomats, the United Nations and other international organizations, and civil society partners.

To learn more about AJC's involvement in protecting human rights, click here.

• Envision and implement a comprehensive plan for managing and growing an approximately $3.2M annual campaign;
   
• Manage a growing portfolio of donors and solicit new and increased gifts;
   
• Coordinate efforts with the Regional Director and National Development office to increase focus on $25k+ annual major gifts; 
   
• Utilize all tools for an effective major gifts process including Donor Recognition societies, targeted parlor meetings, solicitation strategies, and moves management;
   
• Oversee planned giving and foundation initiatives including coordinating with AJC’s national planned giving office and identifying and cultivating foundation prospects;
   
• Cultivate, steward, and enhance the relationships lay leaders and current donors have with AJC, inspiring them to increase their commitment and giving;   
    
• Advise and support solicitation efforts of the AJC Chicago Regional Director;
   
• Supervise, mentor, and provide guidance to a team of four made up of two Assistant Directors, an Alexander Young Leadership Associate, and a Coordinator;
   
• Advise and support local program staff’s portfolio management and coordinate with them to ensure donors are engaged and aware of the breadth of AJC’s impact;
   
• Manage AJC Chicago’s leadership cultivation efforts and nominations process;
   
• Mentor new leaders to maximize their leadership and giving potential;
   
• Design and support an Advancement and Engagement Committee to assist with development and increase lay leader involvement;
   
• Strategize, solicit honorees, and produce exceptional virtual, hybrid, and/or in-person honoree events in coordination with the Advancement & Engagement team; 
   
• Perform other tasks needed to support overall office effectiveness.

Other qualifications include the following:

• Bachelor’s degree required and a minimum of 7 years related professional experience that includes roles as an organizational leader, fundraiser, and manager
   
• Passion for AJC’s mission
   
• Goal-oriented campaign strategist who can create and execute a multi-faceted vision and plan for increased financial resource development results
   
• Extensive experience with major donor management and direct solicitations
   
• Past experience working closely with lay leaders and leadership development in a non-profit setting
   
• Self-directed leader who can work independently and collaborate with professional colleagues and volunteer leadership
   
• Flexible, creative, and strategic thinker able to develop sophisticated new ways to engage potential and existing donors and create new giving opportunities and programs
   
• Takes and conveys pride in individual and team successes
   
• Strong organizational, time management, and project management skills with the capacity to comfortably handle a large volume of work
   
• Ability to creatively and proactively solve problems
   
• Successfully lead, manage, and work on multiple projects simultaneously, with multiple parties, to advance AJC’s work
   
• Knowledge of and ability to manage data and develop, implement, and oversee budget
   
• Sense of humor and strong desire to add to a culture of collaboration and feedback
   
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
   
• Familiarity with the greater Chicagoland area and demographics
   
• Experience overseeing large fundraising events preferred
   
• Flexibility with schedule (occasional mornings, evenings, and weekends)
   
• Proficiency in Raiser’s Edge and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Medical, vision, and dental plans
   
• Flexible Spending Account options
   
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) - 15 vacation days per year, that increases with continued employment
   
• Paid Holidays (many Federal and major Jewish Holidays)
   
• 403(b) participation, after one year of employment
   
• Transit plan