Jobs at Jewish Federation of Detroit
Senior Associate, Affinities Department
Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Type: Full Time
Min. Experience: Experienced
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.
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.
