Director of Advancement

Position Summary

Temple Beth El seeks a strategic, relational, and motivated Director of Advancement to accelerate our philanthropic growth and strengthen the relationships that sustain our sacred work. This is an opportunity to join one of the most vibrant Reform congregations in the country at a moment of meaningful momentum, purpose, and promise, with the expectation that this leader will help expand our financial strength to match our aspirations.

As a senior member of the professional team, the Director of Advancement will integrate relationship-building, storytelling, and philanthropy to inspire generous investment from congregants and community members. The Director will hold primary accountability for building and leading a comprehensive fundraising program, including membership giving, annual and major gifts, endowment, planned giving, and support for capital campaigns and other initiatives.

In partnership with clergy, staff, and volunteer leadership, the Director will manage and execute a high-impact development plan to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, while building the systems that make fundraising effective and scalable, including donor management, CRM/data management, prospect research, volunteer activation, gift processing, recognition, and stewardship.

This position reports to the Executive Director and works in close partnership with the professional staff, clergy team, Board of Directors, and other lay leaders. The Director of Advancement will build and lead a robust development and stewardship program, and will partner closely with communications to ensure Temple Beth El’s message, impact, and invitations to invest are clear, compelling, and consistent over time.

Who We Are

Temple Beth El is a sacred home for Jewish identity, connection, and continuity. Our mission is to cultivate connected, proud, and meaningful Jewish living that inspires change in our world. We are a welcoming and passionate congregation, aspiring to be ever more inclusive, impactful, and courageous in spirit and in practice. We believe in the power of spiritual growth, learning across generations, and belonging that honors every story.

Our vision is to be a bold Jewish community of deep roots, sacred responsibility, and daring hope.

Why Join Temple Beth El

Temple Beth El is a community of purpose, where tradition meets imagination and sacred responsibility becomes real in everyday relationships. We are in a season of momentum and clarity, building on generations of wisdom and community building to write a new chapter of Jewish life in this region.

Located on Shalom Park, a 54-acre hub of Jewish connection in Charlotte, North Carolina, Temple Beth El anchors and leads a spirit of collaboration across institutions on and beyond the Park. We are the largest Jewish congregation in one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

In this role, you will:

• Join a mission driven, values aligned team.
• Shape an integrated advancement model that can be a national example in synagogue life.
• Build relationships with congregants who are warm, intellectually curious, spiritually open, and deeply committed to one another and to the broader community.

If you are seeking a leadership role where your work truly matters, and where your voice, relationships, and vision can help shape the future of Jewish life, Temple Beth El invites you to help us write the next chapter.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and implement a forward-looking advancement strategy rooted in and reflective of Temple Beth El’s mission, vision, and focus on long-term sustainability.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Senior Rabbi to shape and articulate a compelling philanthropic vision and implement tactical execution.
• Guide the evolution from a traditional development model to a cohesive advancement operation that unites relationship-building, storytelling, and strategic growth.

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• Achieve measurable, transformational growth in annual giving and endowment participation consistent with a five-year fundraising plan.
• Lead all major fundraising initiatives, including membership, annual giving, endowment and legacy giving, special campaigns, and grants.
• Build, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donors in partnership with clergy and lay leaders to strengthen relational philanthropy.
• Develop and implement a stewardship strategy centered on gratitude, transparency, and demonstrated impact.
• Create a donor journey and moves management system that feels personal, spiritual, and values-driven rather than transactional.

Marketing, Communications & Storytelling

• Lead strategic development communications, ensuring messaging that advances the Temple’s mission and inspires investment.
• Collaborate with senior staff and key partners to create aligned and impactful storytelling across all platforms.
• Tailor donor outreach and engagement using segmented strategies that speak to diverse motivations, life stages, and identities.

Team Leadership & Infrastructure

• Build and lead a mission-aligned advancement team responsible for annual giving, communications, stewardship, donor operations, and institutional giving.
• Oversee build out and implementation of data systems, reporting tools, analytics, and operating procedures to inform strategy, implement tactics, track results, and develop our organizational capacity.
• Establish policies and practices that reflect excellence, integrity, and industry best standards in fundraising and communications.

Board and Lay Leader Engagement

• Serve as lead staff for and partner with the Board’s Development Committee to engage lay leaders in cultivating and stewarding donor relationships.
• Share regular reports and updates to support informed, mission-aligned decision-making.
• Equip clergy and lay leaders to communicate the Case for Support with confidence, clarity, and conviction.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

• Significant experience in nonprofit development, advancement, or philanthropy, with a track record of growing annual giving and securing major gifts.
• Experience building or leading a development or advancement team and working effectively with senior leadership and volunteer leaders.
• Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors, including at the major gift level.
• Strong storytelling, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to connect narrative, vision, and financial support.
• Ability to create strategy for and implement systems to leverage data and analytics to inform strategy and measure progress.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced, relationship driven environment, including some evenings and weekends.
• Familiarity with Jewish communal life or experience in a faith-based setting is helpful but not required. A genuine respect for Jewish tradition and openness to learning are essential.
• CFRE certification is strongly preferred, or a demonstrated commitment to professional growth in the advancement field.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: competitive, commensurate with experience.
• Health insurance: 90% employer-paid major medical coverage for employee
• Additional benefits: Retirement plan, professional development support, relocation assistance (if needed), generous paid time off, and a collaborative, values-driven work environment.

Why This Role Matters

While achieving transformational fundraising results is critical to our success, equally important is to recognize that this role is about leadership, relationships, and building the architecture for Temple Beth El’s next era of impact. The Director of Advancement will help design and lead an integrated advancement model that connects storytelling, engagement, and investment.

You will:

• Shape a culture of philanthropy that deepens belonging and shared responsibility.
• Strengthen and professionalize our systems and team.
• Guide the congregation toward a sustainable, impactful, and inspired future.

To Apply

To express interest or learn more, please contact careers@templebethel.org.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning January 5, 2026.

Temple Beth El welcomes candidates of all faiths who share our mission. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and faith journeys.