Position: Managing Director, Community Relations

Reports to: VP, Community Relations

The Jewish Federations of North America (“JFNA”) consist of 146 Jewish Federations and dozens of Network communities which collectively raise and distribute more than $3 billion annually to support flourishing Jewish life and the needs of the Jewish people in their home communities and around the world. The Jewish Federation system, among the top 10 charities on the continent, leads the largest network of volunteer and professional leaders who build and sustain Jewish communities that are healthy, safe, caring, welcoming and inclusive, educated and engaged, involved in the broader community, and deeply connected to Israel and the global Jewish people.

Position Background:

At a time of rising antisemitism, there are two core strategies that Jewish Federations are pursuing to safeguard the Jewish community. The first is focused on ensuring that every Jewish Federation in North America has the resources and expertise to oversee the physical security of every Jewish institution in their communities, and the other is by building up a comprehensive community relations approach within every Federation community.

We know that an equally pressing challenge – and one that must be addressed with the same scale and vigor as physical security - is our effort to strengthen and grow Federations’ work in the critical field of community relations, enabling all communities to build the bridges that prevent and combat antisemitism.

By building relationships with local officials, business leaders, civic leaders, and representatives of other ethnic and religious groups, we are establishing the lines of communication that enable us to fight discrimination, to educate others about the nature of antisemitism and to keep it from infecting the public square. This enables Jewish communities to mobilize quickly to respond to the antisemitic incidents that occur in our community, and to enable our community to understand how national and even global events are affecting us. The deeper our relationships with the civic and professional leaders in our communities, the stronger and safer we will be, and the more effective will be our response to antisemitism.

Summary:

The Managing Director will be a key member of the Community Relations team, working closely with the Vice President to support the overall success of community relations that includes four key areas: Legislative, Civic Partnerships, Interfaith/Intergroup and Educational Initiatives. This role requires a dynamic and seasoned professional with a proven track record of leadership, strategic thinking, and effective collaboration. The Managing Director will contribute to shaping the vision for Community Relations at JFNA, implementing strategic initiatives, and ensuring efficient operations.

Functional Duties:

Strategic Leadership:

• Work alongside the VP of Community Relations and other team members to devise and execute a system-wide plan aimed at enhancing and expanding Federations' work in the community relations arena.
• Ensure strategic alignment with the broader public affairs division to integrate Federations' community relations strategy with legislative activities and policy priorities at both state and federal levels.

Project and Program Implementation:

• Oversee the planning and execution of key Community Relations projects and programs, ensuring they align with objectives.
• Monitor project progress, help create metrics of success, and implement strategies.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Represent Community Relations in meetings, conferences and events with internal and external Federation partners.
• Actively engage, support and collaborate with Federations' professional leadership in community relations and local initiatives as appropriate.

Operations:

• Help oversee day-to-day operations and ensure adherence to internal JFNA procedures.
• Research and share best practices in community relations, empowering others to replicate successful strategies.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and operational efficiency within the Community Relations team.

Financial Oversight:

• Work closely with the JFNA finance team and Vice President to monitor internal community relations budgets, financial performance, and compliance.

Successful Candidates:

• Have significant experience in working on issues related to community relations and combatting antisemitism.
• Have demonstrated experience in building and activating coalitions and grassroots involvement in community relations or public affairs.
• Be aware of the range of Jewish community organizations, especially those that are active in or concerned about community relations.
• Be comfortable and experienced in presenting on JFNA issues and the Jewish community.
• Have skills in leading conversations with people who hold a diverse range of opinions on key issues in an open and respectful manner.
• Strong written and verbal skills
• Able to work strategically and collaboratively.
• Be a flexible team player

JFNA has U.S. offices in NYC and DC. Open to remote work location. Please submit a resume and cover letter to Evan.Bernstein@JewishFederations.org.

As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, JFNA celebrates and welcomes people of all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Compensation and Benefits:

JFNA offers a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, FSA), including a defined contribution plan, generous vacation policy, paid legal and Jewish holidays, life insurance, generous parental leave policies and flexible remote work practices. Our compensation philosophy strives to be externally competitive and internally fair. Additionally, we offer voluntary learning programs throughout the year in subjects of interest to our staff.

Salary range: $160,000 - $175,000

Federation Applicants:

JFNA is committed to supporting local Jewish Federations and to identifying the best talent for the system. If a current Federation employee is hired for this role, we will work with the local Federation to ensure an appropriate timeline and communications strategy. We welcome initial confidential inquiries to learn more about the role; however, current Federation employees who move to a finalist round of interviews will be asked to communicate with the Federation about their candidacy.