Senior Associate, Affinities Department

About the Jewish Federation of Detroit and Federation’s Affinities Department: 
As the primary instrument of Jewish philanthropy and engagement in the Detroit area, we are a community-driven organization committed to taking care of the needs of the Jewish people and building a vibrant Jewish future, in Metropolitan Detroit, in Israel and around the world.  
 
Federation’s Affinities Department designs innovative programs to engage Jewish Detroiters (40+) in meaningful ways. Through professional and affinity groups, leadership development opportunities, mission experiences, and personalized outreach, we recognize that meaningful engagement is not one-size-fits-all. We work to identify gaps and create pathways that resonate with the unique needs and interests of this demographic. These efforts foster deeper connections—both among participants and to the mission-driven work of the Jewish Federation of Detroit.  

About this position: 
The Senior Associate is responsible for developing and executing department programs and events, building relationships with members of this demographic, working with high-level lay leaders involved in the department’s offerings and creating best-in-class experiences that support the organization’s engagement, fundraising and leadership development goals. 
 
Who are we looking for? 
•    A highly creative and entrepreneurial individual who is driven to succeed and who has excellent communication skills. 
•    A trend-savvy professional who has a strong sense of current trends and emerging cultural movements. 
•    A dynamic and team-oriented innovator who can work well with a diverse, passionate group of professionals and lay leaders. 
•    A self-starter who can manage a variety of tasks and details while serving a big-picture goal. 
•    A community-minded person who is committed to connecting individuals to one another, the community and Federation. 
 
Primary responsibilities: 
•    Collaborate with Affinities Director, staff and leadership, as well as community partners and agencies, to develop and implement innovative, exceptional programs focusing on outreach & engagement and community connections. 
•    Build strong and positive relationships through first-class donor stewardship. 
•    Manage a portfolio of affinity groups, collaborating with program chairs to develop and execute creative, highly engaging, and distinctive opportunities on a variety of scales from intimate to large.  
•    Effectively manage and utilize budgets to ensure fiscally responsible and impactful programming 
•    Participate as a member of the Affinities Department and Jewish Federation teams, supporting department programming, campaign and events. 
 
Required skills: 
•    Excellent written and verbal communication 
•    Digitally fluent and confident using social media platforms to enhance communication, creativity and productivity. 
•    Strong interpersonal, relationship building and leadership skills with a proven ability to interact effectively with lay leaders, professional staff and community stakeholders.  
•    An approachable demeanor and a positive attitude that inspires confidence and action. 
•    Must be willing to work some evenings and weekends each month and travel domestically and internationally when appropriate (flex time offered). 
•    Detail oriented, effective time manager with the ability to multitask and prioritize in a demanding work environment. 
•    Must be willing to assist in the team effort of identifying, cultivating and soliciting donors through telethons, face to face solicitations and events.