Job Description

About Yeshiva University High School for Boys (MTA)

Yeshiva University High School for Boys, known as MTA, is a premier Torah-centered college preparatory institution located in Washington Heights, New York. For over a century, MTA has been committed to developing young men of character, scholarship, and dedication to Klal Yisrael. As the school enters a dynamic new chapter of growth, we seek a visionary and advancement professional to lead our development efforts and strengthen our relationship with the broader MTA family.

Position Overview

The Director of Institutional Advancement is a senior leadership role responsible for building, managing, and executing a comprehensive advancement program that supports the school's strategic priorities. This individual will serve as the primary architect of MTA's philanthropic culture, overseeing all fundraising initiatives, cultivating deep alumni relationships, and acting as a key liaison between institutional leadership and the Board of Directors. The Director will work in close partnership with the Head of School, senior administrators, and lay leadership to significantly expand MTA's philanthropic base and long-term financial strength.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Development

• Design and implement a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategy encompassing major gifts, annual fund campaigns, capital initiatives, endowment building, and planned giving.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a personal portfolio of major gift prospects.
• Oversee all annual giving campaigns, including the annual dinner, the scholarship campaign, year-end appeals, Giving Tuesday, and other cultivation and fundraising events.
• Develop and manage a robust donor stewardship program that ensures timely acknowledgment, meaningful recognition, and ongoing engagement of all contributors at every level.
• Collaborate with the Heads of School and senior staff to articulate compelling cases for support that align donor interests with institutional priorities.
• Research and pursue foundation grants, corporate partnerships, and government funding opportunities where applicable.
• Establish, track, and report on fundraising metrics, goals, and benchmarks to school leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Build and manage development office infrastructure, including CRM and donor database management, gift processing, donor records, and advancement communications.

Alumni Relations

• Develop and execute a strategic alumni engagement program that reconnects MTA graduates with the school community and deepens their lifelong connection to the institution.
• Build and maintain a comprehensive, up-to-date alumni database and communication infrastructure, including newsletters, social media, and digital platforms.
• Plan and oversee alumni programming, including class reunions, regional events, networking opportunities, mentorship programs, and virtual engagement initiatives.
• Establish an alumni giving society and launch targeted first-time and lapsed alumni giving campaigns tied to MTA's history and milestones.
• Identify and cultivate alumni prospects for major gifts, planned gifts, and volunteer leadership opportunities within MTA’s governance and advancement structures.
• Partner with faculty, administration, and current students to create meaningful touchpoints that connect alumni to MTA’s ongoing mission and academic excellence.
• Leverage alumni networks to create career development, internship, and mentorship pipelines for current students.

Board of Directors Liaison

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors and its Advancement/Development Committee, fostering productive and trust-based relationships between lay leadership and institutional staff.
• Prepare and present regular, data-driven advancement reports, campaign updates, and strategic recommendations to the full Board and its committees.
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing engagement of Board members in the school’s philanthropic mission and culture of giving.
• Work with Board members and lay leaders to leverage their professional and personal networks, facilitate donor introductions, and support peer-to-peer fundraising.
• Assist in the planning and execution of Board meetings, including preparing briefing materials, advancement summaries, donor pipeline reports, and presentation decks.
• Ensure Board members are well-equipped with talking points, prospect research, campaign collateral, and the confidence to serve as passionate and effective ambassadors for MTA.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE certification preferred.
• Responsible nonprofit fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in major gifts, annual giving, and campaign management.
• Proven track record of personally cultivating, soliciting, and closing significant gifts from individual donors.
• Strong understanding of and genuine commitment to the Orthodox Jewish community and the values of Torah u’Madda as reflected in MTA’s mission.
• Demonstrated experience staffing and supporting volunteer and lay leadership, including Boards of Directors and fundraising committees.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience with donor correspondence, major gift proposals, and public presentations.
• High proficiency with donor management and CRM systems (Raiser’s Edge NXT, Salesforce, or comparable platforms).
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and with discretion across departments and with diverse constituencies, including major donors, lay leaders, and school administration.

Preferred:

• Experience in Jewish day school, yeshiva high school, or Jewish communal fundraising environment strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with the MTA alumni network and the broader Yeshiva University community is a significant asset.
• Experience building or substantially growing a development office from an early stage.

Experience Required

1-2 years