Director, Strategic Philanthropy

Director, Strategic Philanthropy

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Strategic Philanthropy & Legal Affairs

Salary Range: $180,000–$220,000

 

About The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles

At The Foundation, we serve as a trusted partner to individuals and families who seek to align their charitable giving with their values, maximize their philanthropic impact, and contribute meaningfully to the Jewish community and beyond.

Our mission is to strengthen our community to better our world by empowering philanthropists with personalized counsel, strategic connections, and a full suite of giving solutions tailored to their goals.

 

Position Summary

The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles is seeking a Director of Strategic Philanthropy to help build and grow the Foundation’s strategic philanthropy programs, including professional advisor engagement, legacy giving, and gifts of complex assets such as real estate, closely held businesses, and other illiquid assets.

 

The ideal candidate is an experienced legal, financial, or other advisory professional with strong relationship-building and business development skills. Prior expertise in charitable planning is helpful but not required; the successful candidate must have the interest and aptitude to develop it.

 

Key Responsibilities

Professional Advisor Engagement & Education

  • Independently develop and manage relationships with attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, and other professionals to generate charitable giving opportunities.
  • Develop and deliver educational presentations, programs, and resources on charitable planning strategies.
  • Help advisors recognize charitable planning opportunities for their clients and bring the Foundation into those conversations.
  • Work with the Senior Vice President to develop strategies and initiatives for growing the Foundation’s professional advisor engagement program.

 

Charitable Planning, Complex Asset & Legacy Gifts

  • Cultivate prospects referred through advisor relationships, identify charitable planning opportunities, and advance them toward completed gifts.
  • Partner with colleagues managing existing client relationships to identify and develop complex asset and legacy giving opportunities.
  • Help clients and advisors explore ways to strategically integrate charitable giving into broader financial, tax, estate, and succession planning.
  • Educate clients and advisors on tax-efficient charitable giving strategies, including gift timing, asset type (such as publicly traded stock, retirement accounts, real estate, and closely held business interests), and charitable vehicle or structure.
  • Prepare illustrations of the tax and financial effects of proposed gifts for clients and advisors.
  • Work with clients and advisors on legacy planning, including gifts made through estate plans and the terms of endowment and restricted funds that support charitable organizations over time.
  • In consultation with the Senior Vice President, evaluate and structure charitable gifts and manage complex gift transactions through closing, including due diligence, documentation, and internal approvals.
  • Work with the Senior Vice President to develop strategies and processes for growing the Foundation’s complex asset gift and legacy giving programs.

 

Qualifications & Skills

  • Bachelor’s degree required; JD, CFP, CPA, or comparable professional credential strongly preferred.
  • 7+ years of experience in a legal, wealth management, tax, charitable planning, or related professional role involving substantive advice to clients.
  • Demonstrated success building trusted professional relationships, developing referral networks, and generating business opportunities.
  • Demonstrated ability to understand, analyze, and clearly explain complex legal, financial, or technical concepts, establishing credibility and trust with clients and professional advisors.
  • Strong presentation, writing, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Exceptional organizational, project management, and follow-through skills, with the ability to manage multiple relationships and transactions simultaneously.
  • Sound judgment, initiative, intellectual curiosity, and a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach.
  • Strong interest in philanthropy and aptitude to develop expertise in charitable planning, including tax strategies, complex asset gifts, and legacy planning.

 

Working Conditions:

  • Some local or Los Angeles area travel may be required to setup meetings and participate in events.
  • Flexible work environment with hybrid work schedule.
  • Salary: $180,000 – $220,000 depending on skill sets, years of experience, training, certifications, and degrees earned. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range unless they exceed most of the job qualifications.
  • Sample Benefits
  • Medical/Dental/Vision
  • 403(b) with 10% employer contribution
  • Staff Donor Advised Fund
  • Paid Parking
  • Generous vacation and sick leave
  • National and Jewish holidays
  • The Jewish Community Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Statistics show that women and members of marginalized groups tend to only apply for an opportunity if they meet 100% of the qualifications. The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles encourages you to break the trend and apply.

 

Application Process: To apply for this position, please email your cover letter and resume as a single PDF document titled “Last Name, First Name” to jobs@jewishfoundationla.org. In the subject line of your email, include: “Application: Director, Strategic Philanthropy”. We look forward to reviewing your application.