Position Title: Senior Manager, Press Relations

Reports to: AVP, External Communications

Start Date: July 1, 2025

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.

Background

The External Communications team at JFNA is responsible for setting and executing the organization’s communications strategy and messaging objectives. It creates content for assets such as JewishFederations.org and various social media platforms, as well as interfacing with the press. In addition, it serves as both a resource and sounding board to federation professionals across the country.

Position Summary

The Jewish Federations of North America seek a Senior Manager, Press Relations to work closely with the AVP, External Communications, and Director, Press Relations on developing and implementing the organization's press strategy. The Senior Manager, Press Relations has a deep history in politics and Jewish communal life, understands new cycles in both the U.S. and Israel, has an eye for identifying compelling stories, and is able to use basic data tools to track and evaluate progress.

The position is based in Jewish Federations’ Public Affairs office in the heart of Washington, DC. They will be expected to work in the office, in person, several days a week.

The Senior Manager, Press Relations is a storyteller at heart who can develop creative storylines and pitch to reporters with the tenacity required to secure placement, as well as write stories, draft op-eds, talking points and issue-focused memos for internal use. They are a strategic thinker and project manager who can help shape the organization’s messaging, building out systematic means of developing and codifying messaging documents. This position will require significant interaction across Jewish Federations of North America and the Federation system to develop stories, work with stakeholders to identify and prepare every element of these stories, and compel media to cover them.

Responsibilities will include:

• Promoting Jewish Federations of North America as the central address of the organized North American Jewish community
• Working with the team to advance the organization’s PR strategy and annual work plan in accordance with organizational priorities
• Developing the organization’s messaging, including building out systematic means of developing and codifying messaging documents and talking points
• Working closely with our Public Affairs team in the Washington, DC office
• Identifying, cultivating and maintaining relationships with key media contacts
• Identifying and developing story ideas throughout the various fields of work in the organization and pitching them to reporters
• Drafting and distributing press releases, talking points, and background information on a range of topics
• Conducting interview prep with senior leadership ahead of interviews
• Monitoring media coverage and preparing regular, data-driven evaluation reports
• Fielding press inquiries on deadline
• Writing and editing op-eds, articles, and blog posts for publication both within Federations and in press
• Setting up and monitoring press interviews
• Maintaining ongoing communications across the organization to stay up to date on new developments and initiatives that could be developed into PR opportunities
• Collaborating on evaluating and updating messaging goals and strategy
• Supporting media professionals across the Jewish Federations system with tools, training, and resources

The successful candidate will have:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience working on public relations
• The ability to manage and advance numerous projects at once
• Familiarity with organized Jewish life
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent writing skills
• Excellent relationship management skills
• Storytelling savvy
• The ability to work well with teams
• The ability to curate, interpret, and analyze basic level data

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 - $65,000 - $85,000

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.

To apply, please send a résumé, cover letter, and a writing sample to Niv.Elis@jewishfederations.org with the subject line “Senior Manager, Press Relations.”

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.