Associate, Community Relations

About the Associate, Community Relations position:

The Associate, Community Relations partners with the Managing Director, Community Relations and External Affairs and the Community Relations Committee (CRC) of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland (JFC). In this critical area of the Federation’s work, the Associate works with the CRC to build deep collaborative relationships with individuals, groups, and organizations external to the Jewish community. The Associate is also responsible for developing events and programs with the broader Cleveland community, building consensus and bridges, combatting antisemitism, and representing the Jewish community to the broader Cleveland community.

This position is full-time and reports to the Managing Director, Community Relations and External Affairs.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Develop and manage programs that aim to engage both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities in northeast Ohio on a range of topics including, but not limited to, local current events, international affairs and Israel, antisemitism, civil rights, and intergroup relations.
2. Implement strategies to protect and enhance the interests of the Jewish community in response to local, national, and international events.
3. Work with diverse constituencies in the Jewish community to enable the CRC and its subcommittees to continue to reflect political, religious, and geographical balance.
4. Plan and execute programs and events such as, but not limited to, Yom HaShoah V’Hagvurah (Holocaust Commemoration), Sustainability Tu B’Shevat, CRC Annual Meeting, the Miller-Zimon Cultural Competency Program.
5. Represent the interests of the Jewish community to the non-Jewish community through coalition building and maintaining a broad network of contacts with religious, civic, and political leaders.
6. Partner with the CRC, its subcommittees, volunteer leadership, and key stakeholders, as well as colleagues at JFC to advance the Federation and its community relations priorities.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

1. 10% of the position is allocated to an annual Campaign assignment; this may include, but is not limited to, working with Campaign volunteers, planning and executing a specific Campaign strategy, and participating in regular Campaign meetings and events, as determined by the Campaign Director.

Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics:

1. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse viewpoints and audiences within and outside of the Jewish community.
2. Superior verbal and written communication skills required.
3. Demonstrated skills in relationship building, multitasking, project management, and problem solving.
4. Demonstrated ability to work within a team-based structure, in an individual contributor role.
5. Strong knowledge, understanding, and experience with Israel and the Jewish community, culture, and traditions is required.
6. Knowledge of Cleveland community organizations and non-profit, community based and faith-based organizations is helpful.
7. Possess a passionate commitment to the Jewish community and understanding of relevant current affairs and public policy issues.

Education, Training and/or Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree in a related field required, master’s degree preferred.
2. 2+ years of work experience in a related professional field will be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree.
3. Experience with a non-profit organization, in a professional, internship, or volunteer capacity is highly desirable.
4. Experience working or volunteering in policy, public affairs, external affairs, community relations, politics, political campaigns, or a related field preferred.

About the Federation:

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland is the only organization in Cleveland that focuses on the health and vitality of the entire Jewish community. For more than 120 years, the Federation has created the critical scale necessary to drive meaningful social change and provide relief in times of crisis in ways no one person or organization could do alone. As Jewish Cleveland’s hub for innovative solutions and collaborative services, the Federation is able to change and improve lives in Cleveland, Israel, and around the world.

If you are qualified and interested in this exceptional opportunity, please send your resume and cover letter, and apply here.