Chief Development Officer

itrek | Chief Development Officer
Strong preference for candidates based in the New York Metro Area to facilitate a hybrid work model with two office days per week in Midtown Manhattan; itrek is open to considering candidates based elsewhere, especially on the East Coast, provided the appointee can accommodate frequent travel

Organization Overview
itrek is a private, U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to empower both rising and established leaders from diverse sectors to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness, and complex reality. Israel and the region are layered with nuance and complexity, but they are frequently reduced to simplistic storylines and soundbites. itrek enables leaders to see the reality for themselves. Through peer-led experiences, they build meaningful connections and gain nuanced insight into Israel and the region that they carry into their leadership roles.

Since its founding in 2011, more than 27,000 influential leaders – 91% of whom are not Jewish – representing 130 nationalities have traveled to Israel through itrek. In the last three years itrek has expanded its programs with itrek Launchpad, partnering with institutions and individuals to bring their professional networks to Israel, and with the absorption of REALITY from Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. In FY25, itrek welcomed more than 1,080 participants across 40 Israel Treks.

itrek is a non-partisan, non-affiliated, non-religious organization with a 35-person team based in New York and Israel. itrek continues to operate as a fast-moving, nimble organization that values thoughtful experimentation, strong collaboration, and colleagues who take ownership and push work forward with clarity and purpose.

 

Position Summary & Context for Recruitment
Reporting to the CEO and serving as a member of the Executive Team, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) leads itrek’s fundraising strategy and resource development efforts. The CDO is responsible for securing the philanthropic support necessary to sustain and grow the organization’s $15M+ annual budget through both institutional and individual giving.

The CDO develops and executes a comprehensive fundraising strategy, overseeing all aspects of donor engagement, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors, foundations, and institutional partners. This role also oversees the planning and execution of events designed to engage donors and prospective supporters, strengthening relationships and expanding itrek’s philanthropic community. The CDO supervises a five-person team characterized by its resilience and passion for itrek’s mission. The CDO will provide strong, stable leadership to ensure an agile, close-knit development team ready to respond to opportunities as well as challenges amid dynamic geopolitical and philanthropic environments.

Working closely with the CEO and Board leadership, the CDO helps shape and advance the organization’s strategy, ensuring the resources and partnerships needed to expand itrek’s impact and enable more future leaders to experience Israel firsthand. The CDO will be the key figure in driving itrek’s growth in major-gifts-focused individual giving to complement the organization’s historic strength in institutional giving. They will effectively balance strategic leadership and impactful frontline fundraising execution.

 

Candidate Profile

While itrek will consider a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal candidate will align with the following:

• Authentic connection to and passion for itrek’s mission.
• Comfortable operating in relation to evolving and volatile geopolitical and philanthropic environments.
• Twelve or more years of overall nonprofit fundraising experience serving in roles with progressive levels of responsibility; seven or more years of development staff management experience, preferably including leading teams in hybrid or remote work models.
• Knowledge of and fundamental adherence to the principles, ethics, and best practices of modern fundraising, including the integration of various giving programs to diversify the funding base and cultivate greater donor commitments.
• Track record of leading multi-channel fundraising strategies inclusive of individual and institutional giving as well as advancing prospect discovery and engagement at all giving levels; demonstrated success in frontline major gift fundraising from cultivation through solicitation and stewardship, especially with high-net-worth individuals at the level of six to seven figures or greater.
• Strength in developing and executing fundraising strategies to achieve goals as well as creating and managing budgets; ability to effectively strategize and engage various stakeholders in fundraising initiatives, including partnering directly with the most senior levels of an organization and collaborating across departmental / divisional lines; track record of ensuring that fundraising initiatives are mission-focused and consistent with organizational goals.
• Demonstrated success in developing strong and winning cases for support as well as a working knowledge of modern communications and marketing strategies to engage diverse audiences and affinity groups while broadening the donor base.
• Strong capability to recruit, lead, manage, evaluate, and develop fundraising professionals while fostering continuous improvement, shared accountability, and a growth-oriented, process-driven, best practices team culture; track record of maintaining durable, efficient fundraising infrastructure and systems and metrics-based goals.
• Experience motivating, coaching, and increasing the comfort level of organizational stakeholders in fundraising initiatives, including board members or other high-level volunteers.
• Commitment to data-driven decision making and measurement of success; knowledge of modern data management practices that can streamline processes and contribute to the integration of related functions.
• Integrity and mature judgment in handling sensitive information
• Adaptive and relational leadership style with the balance of awareness and humility needed to work collaboratively across diverse cultural and professional stakeholder groups; ethos of servant leadership and mutual respect.
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, and exceptional organizational and executive-level management skills; outcomes-oriented and strategic thinker with a strong work ethic for high-quality performance, attention to detail, and accountability; excellent problem-solving skills.
• Superb verbal and written communication skills, including excellent presentation skills; the stature and demeanor to serve as a highly visible, public-facing ambassador and inspirationally communicate itrek’s work and impact.
• Dedication to personal and professional development and open feedback.

itrek is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.

 

Download the full position description via the following link:

https://dsgco.com/search/23049-itrek

 

itrek has retained the DSG Fundraising & Advancement Practice of DSG | Koya to assist in this confidential search process. Inquiries, nominations, and applications (current resumes and cover letters) may be submitted via the following link or directed to the leader of the search team:

https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/23049

Gerard F. Cattie, Jr.

Global Managing Partner and Practice Founder, DSG Fundraising & Advancement

gerard.cattie@dsgco.com | 212.542.2587

 

The annual base salary for this role is expected to range from $190,000 to $240,000, commensurate with experience. itrek is open to discussion if you believe your background and qualifications merit a higher salary.