Individual Giving Officer

POSITION SUMMARY: 

HIAS seeks an Individual Giving Officer to assist with planning, coordination, and strategy for individuals in the Northeast who give to HIAS at the $500.00-$4,999.00 level. This role will report to the Associate Director, Major Gifts and will join a team of remote colleagues, spread over several states. Ideal candidates will be strong self-starters who are motivated and able to work independently. While this role will broadly cover the Northeast, the primary focus will be on reaching current donors in the New York Metropolitan area. Beyond the Major Gifts team, this role will work closely with a wide variety of internal stakeholders, both within the Development department and outside of it. While HIAS’ offices have remained closed during the pandemic, this position will eventually be based in the New York office. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Manage and take ownership of a portfolio consisting of several hundred low-level major donors in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. 
• Conduct a significant number of qualified contacts per month with donors or prospects to strengthen donor relationships for long-term support. 
• Partner with colleagues in Institutional Development and Development Operations, as well as colleagues in the Public Affairs Division as a whole to align solicitation strategies with the interests of specific donors or prospects. 
• Execute small-scale cultivation events—both virtual and in-person—to engage donors and prospects with HIAS. 

• Oversee timely and meaningful donor acknowledgment and stewardship initiatives. 
• Conduct donor and prospect research and maintain detailed records in the HIAS database. 
• Develop strategies for HIAS’ Major Gifts team to better engage current and prospective donors; support team members in performing this outreach. 
• Maintain ongoing familiarity with refugee issues as well as Jewish communal philanthropic opportunities and trends. 
• Assist in other Public Affairs projects as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS: 

• Undergraduate degree required, with 3-5 years of relevant professional experience. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in fundraising principles and methodologies. 
• Comfort with high-net-worth individuals and families.   

• Strong communication skills; ability to write clearly to external and internal stakeholders; comfort with speaking to small groups and ability to modulate tone depending on audience. Able to listen actively and respond to donor needs. 
• Excellent planning and organizational skills; ability to prioritize, manage time efficiently in a fast-paced work environment, and remain flexible in an ever-changing landscape for refugee issues. 
• Knowledge of the Jewish community and international refugee issues; comfort in representing HIAS to funders and interacting with a diverse base of supporters. 
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite, and fundraising databases (Raiser’s Edge preferred). 
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and accountability while being a team player. Comfort working remotely when necessary. 

• Willingness to travel throughout the Northeast (about 30% time) and ability to attend occasional functions/activities outside of normal work hours. 

ABOUT US: 

HIAS is a global Jewish nonprofit organization working across five continents to ensure that refugees and displaced persons are protected. Throughout the United States, we help refugees reunite with families, resettle and become self-sufficient. Guided by our values and history, we help refugees rebuild their lives in safety and security and advocate to ensure that all displaced people are treated with dignity.  

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, citizenship status, religious creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, age, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.