Senior Foundation Director- Columbus

Senior Foundation Director

The Senior Foundation Director is a senior member of the Financial Resource Development (FRD) leadership team and serves as the executive leader responsible for the overall performance, strategy, and long-term sustainability of the JewishColumbus Foundation. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this role provides organizational leadership across all aspects of the Foundation, including donor-advised funds, custodial and endowment assets, planned and legacy giving, governance, financial oversight, and operational management. The Senior Foundation Director is accountable for Foundation growth, asset development, and stewardship, ensuring alignment with JewishColumbus broader philanthropic and community priorities.

This role operates with significant strategic and decision-making authority and serves as the primary partner to senior leadership and the Foundation Committee in shaping the direction, policies, and future of the Foundation.

Foundation Strategy, Performance, and Growth

Set and lead the overall strategic vision for the Foundation, including asset growth, donor engagement, and long-term sustainability

Establish and be accountable for measurable performance across all Foundation lines of business, including:

• Donor-Advised Funds
• Custodial Accounts
• Endowment Development (realized gifts)
• Legacy and planned giving
• Professional advisor engagement

Drive growth in assets under management and philanthropic investment through coordinated development strategies, with a balanced focus on both current-use and long-term endowment assets

Align Foundation strategy with annual campaign, major gifts, and organizational priorities; partner with CEO, CDO, CMO, lay leaders, and other senior FRD professionals on donor identification, engagement, and stewardship

Governance, Board and Organizational Leadership

Serve as the lead professional staff partner to the Foundation Committee, supporting governance, strategic planning, and policy development

Partner with senior leadership and Board members on Foundation strategy, growth, and decision-making

Ensure strong governance practices, including adherence to policies, fiduciary responsibilities, and best practices

Prepare and present clear, data-informed recommendations and updates to leadership and the Board

Financial Oversight and Compliance

Partner closely with the Chief Financial Officer to oversee Foundation financial operations, including budgets, distributions, and investment alignment

Ensure all Foundation activity meets legal, regulatory, and fiduciary requirements

Maintain oversight of fund performance, spending policies, and financial sustainability

Contribute to the evaluation and evolution of policies related to distributions, investments, and fund structures

Donor and Philanthropic Strategy

Serve as a senior strategist and relationship lead for high-capacity donors, fundholders, and professional advisors

Manage a select portfolio of key Foundation relationships

Lead strategy for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Foundation-related gifts and assets

Provide expert counsel on complex giving vehicles and philanthropic structures

Planned Giving and Legacy Leadership

Serve as the organization's lead authority on planned giving strategy, vehicles, and trends

Develop and implement a comprehensive legacy giving program to support long-term sustainability

Train and support FRD staff and lay leadership in planned giving approaches

Maintain current knowledge of tax law, financial planning strategies, and philanthropic trends

Foundation Operations and Administration

Provide strategic oversight of Foundation operations, ensuring strong integration across development, finance, and operations

Oversee administrative systems, workflows, and processes supporting Foundation activity

Ensure operational efficiency, scalability, and high-quality donor experience

Professional Advisor and Community Leadership

Build and maintain relationships with professional advisors to expand philanthropic opportunities

Serve as a visible external leader, spokesperson, and trusted philanthropic advisor for the JewishColumbus Foundation

Represent JewishColumbus in local and national philanthropic and Foundation networks

Partner with the CMO to develop and execute a communications strategy that reinforces JewishColumbus as a trusted philanthropic advisor

Team Leadership and Development

Lead, manage, and develop Foundation staff, consultants, and vendors

Establish clear performance expectations, metrics, accountability structures, and team culture

Support cross-functional collaboration across FRD and the broader organization

Data, Reporting, and Insights

Oversee reporting on Foundation performance, including asset growth, fund activity, and donor engagement

Partner with the Chief Development Officer to develop dashboards and insights for leadership and the Board

Use data to inform strategy, resource allocation, and continuous improvement

Core Competencies

Proven ability to manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and secure major and planned gifts

Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into execution

Deep knowledge of planned giving vehicles, trends, and donor motivations

Demonstrated leadership and team management experience

High level of discretion and ability to manage confidential information

Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities

Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills

Ability to work effectively with senior leadership, lay leaders, and professional advisors

Data-informed mindset with the ability to use metrics to guide decision-making

Experience Required

10+ years in senior development or Foundation leadership roles

Experience managing a fundraising team and cross-functional collaboration

Proven experience soliciting and closing major gifts of $25,000 and above

Proven track record of securing major and planned gifts

Experience developing and executing comprehensive development strategies

Experience working with Boards and lay leadership

Skilled in preparing board-level materials and facilitating strategic discussions

Familiarity with Foundation structures, donor-advised funds, and endowment management

Demonstrated expertise in CRM systems, reporting, and data analysis to drive fundraising strategy, including pipeline development, dashboard creation, and performance tracking across portfolios

CAP or similar certification preferred

Evidence of scaling assets or impact

Work Environment + Schedule

Hybrid work environment, with on-site presence required Tuesday through Thursday. Evening and weekend availability required.