Managing Director, West (San Francisco)
The Organization The American Technion Society (ATS) supports the growth and success of the Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, a global innovation powerhouse. ATS helps fund groundbreaking research, infrastructure projects, support for students, and strategic initiatives at the Technion. These contributions enable the Technion to remain at the forefront of global scientific and technological advancements, strengthening Israel’s economic and defense sectors while fostering global progress in areas such as health, defense/security, energy, and sustainability. The financial support of ATS donors has played a pivotal role in transforming the Technion into a global powerhouse of innovation and discovery. Based in New York City, ATS represents thousands of U.S. donors, alumni, and stakeholders who invest in the Technion’s growth. Since its founding in 1940, ATS has raised nearly $3 billion for the Technion, more than any other U.S.-based fundraising organization for higher education in Israel. ATS’ Organizational Values Act as one team, with accountability to each other Share our strengths for the betterment of the organization Be curious, ask questions, assume best intent Adapt readily to change in our internal and external environments To learn more, visit: https://ats.org/ The Position ATS is looking for a results-driven senior fundraising manager who understands fundraising effectiveness and brings a results-oriented and management-driven approach to their work. The Managing Director is responsible for leading major gift fundraising strategy and performance across an assigned half of the country. This role serves as a team leader and mentor directly managing and developing a team of frontline fundraisers and administrative staff while maintaining a small, focused portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects. The ideal candidate has significant management experience working with experienced fundraisers who can help drive regional strategy to hit ambitious new campaign growth targets associated with our newly established Strategic Operating Plan. Working closely with a peer Managing Director, this position helps provide coordinated national coverage, strengthens donor engagement, and grows major gift revenue through disciplined portfolio strategy, staff coaching, and cross-functional collaboration. The Managing Director partners with the Chief Development Officer, Executive Directors of Principal Gifts, Executive Director of Planned Giving, Development Operations advancement leadership, and internal stakeholders to ensure fundraising strategies align with organizational priorities and deliver strong philanthropic results, yielding in a team that regularly raises $100M, with ambitious growth ahead. Work Style and Expectations This is a leadership-first role. The primary responsibility is managing and supporting a team of frontline fundraisers; the personal donor portfolio will be intentionally limited to allow for meaningful coaching, strategic oversight, and regional leadership. The Managing Director is expected to bring both strategic perspective and hands‑on fundraising experience, serving as a thoughtful manager, collaborative partner, and effective fundraiser. Role Overview Core Responsibilities Team Leadership and Management Directly supervise, coach, and develop a team of 6-10 frontline major gift fundraisers Establish clear expectations for performance, including portfolio health, donor strategy, activity levels, pipeline movement, and revenue outcomes working with Portfolio management and DevOps teams Lead regular one‑on‑one meetings, strategy sessions, and portfolio reviews to strengthen fundraiser effectiveness and donor outcomes. Provide guidance on qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and moves management. Partner with team members on high‑priority donor strategies, complex gift conversations, and select joint visits. Cross‑Functional Collaboration 10% Personal Portfolio Management 10% Regional Major Gift Strategy 30% Team Leadership and Management 50% Support hiring, onboarding, and retention of high‑performing fundraising staff. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous learning. Regional Major Gift Strategy Lead major gift strategy and donor coverage for an assigned geographic region representing one‑half of the country. Partner closely with a peer Managing Director to ensure coordinated national coverage, consistent management practices, and strong collaboration across regions. Work with local boards and partner with lay leaders to ensure strong ATS programs and opportunities to engage with the Technion Monitor progress toward fundraising goals and evaluate team performance using reports, dashboards, portfolio analytics and working closely with Development Operations and Prospect management to ensure we are building the most robust pipeline and moves management system Working with Prospect Management to ensure portfolios are appropriately built and balanced. Actively managed with all donors with over 1m capacity have multiple staff relationships. Identify opportunities to improve donor engagement, pipeline development, travel efficiency, and regional market strategy. Contribute to broader major gift planning, campaign strategy, and organizational fundraising initiatives. Personal Portfolio Management Manage a limited portfolio of donors and prospects, with an emphasis on highly strategic relationships. Develop and execute tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for assigned donors. Conduct in‑person and virtual donor meetings to advance relationships and secure major gifts. Prepare proposals, gift strategies, briefing materials, and follow‑up plans in partnership with internal colleagues in Donor Relations. Focus personal portfolio work on opportunities where senior‑level engagement can meaningfully accelerate philanthropic outcomes. Cross‑Functional Collaboration Partner with colleagues at the Technion and across the organization, including planned giving, annual giving, donor relations, prospect research, development operations, and marketing communications. Collaborate with programmatic and executive leaders to align donor interests with organizational priorities. Ensure a strong and seamless donor experience across cultivation, solicitation, acknowledgment, and stewardship. Represent the major gifts program internally and with the Technion as a senior fundraising leader and strategic partner. The Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate for the Managing Director, West position possesses the following competencies: Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments. Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. Attracts Top Talent: Attracting and selecting the best talent to meet current and future business needs. Builds Effective Teams: Building strong teams with a strong identity that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals. Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Develops Talent: Developing people to meet both their career goals and the organization’s goals. Skills and Qualifications Eligible candidates will have many of the following: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum of 10 years of progressive fundraising experience, including significant major gift fundraising success. Minimum of 7 years of experience successfully directly managing, coaching, and evaluating frontline fundraisers or comparable staff. Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and closing five‑ and six‑figure gifts. Strong understanding of major gift strategy, portfolio management, and moves management. Proven ability to use fundraising data and performance metrics to guide decisions and improve outcomes. Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment. Applicants must be based in their region with strong ties to their local Jewish community. Preferred Experience working in a national or multi‑regional nonprofit organization. Experience supporting campaign fundraising or multi‑year fundraising initiatives. Experience managing geographically dispersed staff. Familiarity with donor databases and fundraising CRM systems, such as Raiser’s Edge. Experience partnering with senior leaders, board members, or high‑level volunteers in donor engagement. Candidates living in Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, or Chicago, IL Who We Are Work Environment ATS works hybrid. Regular travel is expected in support of staff coaching and regional fundraising strategy. Compensation and Benefits Salary $225,000 – 250,000, commensurate with experience Professional Growth at ATS At ATS, we’re committed to fostering your professional journey through targeted development programs, ensuring your career growth is at the forefront of our priorities. Culture & Benefits Join a collaborative, mission‑driven team that values innovation and creativity. A
