Senior Development Associate

About Shefa:

The Shefa School is a Jewish community day school in Manhattan, serving students in grades K-8. Since opening in September 2014, Shefa has enrolled children who benefit from a specialized educational environment in order to develop their strengths while addressing their learning challenges. We specifically serve students with language-based learning disabilities who have not yet reached their potential levels of success in traditional classroom settings. Shefa is a pluralistic community school, serving families across the range of Jewish involvement and observance.

The Shefa School is growing rapidly. We opened our doors in 2014 with just 24 students, and our enrollment is now approaching 230 students. We continue to grow each year, and recently moved to a new state-of-the-art facility on the Upper West Side.

About the Position:

The Shefa School is seeking a Senior Advancement Associate to work full-time in person. This is a key role on our development team, supporting the Director of Advancement across all aspects of the school's fundraising initiatives. The Senior Advancement Associate manages donor data, tracks gifts and pledges, supports stewardship, and assists with communications and events. A successful candidate will be detail-oriented, proactive, and passionate about the mission of the School. This is a role with real ownership and room to grow — we invest in our people and are looking for someone who wants to build a career in advancement within a mission-driven school community.

Key Responsibilities

● Partner with the Director of Advancement in the planning and execution of all development and fundraising initiatives, including annual campaigns, special events, and targeted appeals

● Manage all aspects of gift processing and donor records, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information in the development database, including giving history, pledge tracking, and timely acknowledgment of gifts

● Lead fundraising communications, including solicitation letters, email campaigns, and appeal collateral, ensuring all materials are prepared and distributed on schedule

● Oversee grant management, including tracking deadlines, compiling materials, and maintaining submission records

● Play a central role in coordinating the Annual Benefit, Phone-a-thon, and other events, including logistics, volunteer management, and donor engagement

● Serve as a liaison with the business office and generate reports and data analysis to support team strategy, donor research, and gift officer meetings

● Engage with board members, donors, and prospective supporters to advance cultivation and relationship-building efforts

The ideal candidate brings curiosity about the school's programs and mission, is eager to grow professionally, and approaches every interaction, with donors, board members, volunteers, and colleagues as an opportunity to deepen relationships and represent Shefa with warmth and integrity.

Qualifications:

● 2–4 years of professional experience in a nonprofit, development, or educational setting

● Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously

● Strong written and verbal communication skills

● Experience with donor databases or CRM systems; familiarity with Veracross is a plus

● Proficiency in Google Workspace and comfort learning new platforms

● Discretion and professionalism in handling sensitive donor information

● A collaborative, proactive approach — someone who takes initiative and follows through

● Genuine passion for education and for the mission of The Shefa School

● Experience in Jewish communal organizations or day schools is a plus

The Shefa School is committed to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and ensuring a warm, welcoming, and nurturing environment for all. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We especially encourage candidates from historically underrepresented communities to apply.

Salary Range: $70,000-$85,000 commensurate with experience

Start Date: July 1, 2026

Please send a cover letter and resume to: [email protected]

Pay: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person