Background

Founded in 1982, Ohio Jewish Communities (“OJC”) is the bipartisan statewide government advocacy, public affairs, & community relations voice of Ohio’s eight Jewish federations: JewishAkron, the Canton Jewish Community Federation, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Jewish Federation of Columbus, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo, and the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation and their network of some 150 nonprofit agencies. Over its storied history, OJC has become the national standard-bearer of state Jewish government affairs organizations.

Job Summary

The President and CEO of OJC is a strong advocate, lobbyist and public policy leader who will work with stakeholders and others across the political spectrum. They will be the lead person in organizing the Jewish community of Ohio and as its voice to internal stakeholders and other Jewish community organizations as well as externally to local and federal policymakers and other private and public advocacy groups. They will set strategic priorities, craft and execute a lobbying “game plan” to benefit Ohio’s Jewish communities, Federations and their beneficiary agencies. The President and CEO will oversee all internal and external machinations with OJC.

Key Responsibilities

Government Advocacy:

• Serve as the chief advocate for the organization at all levels of government
• Create and strengthen relationships with public officials at the executive and legislative levels
• Work to enact legislation or regulation that advances OJC, the Federations, and broader Jewish communal priorities, while working to minimize or derail those efforts that conflict with communal interests and needs
• Become the trusted voice on Jewish communal needs, including sensitivity to combating antisemitism and educating on the Holocaust, and ensuring the community has strong relationships with the majority and minority political parties of the area, as part of OJC’s directive to be “bipartisan to a fault.”
• Work with other Jewish community leaders and private lobbyists servicing Jewish community clients
• Prioritize incorporating funding and appropriations asks into public policy efforts.

Public Affairs:

• Be the trusted voice to other advocacy organizations within Ohio and as appropriate, nationally, on the advancement and protection of the Jewish community
• Work with governmental offices as well as independent agencies such as Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Education and Memorial Commission, among others to further the positive perception of the Jewish community
• Identify and materialize opportunities for partnerships and allied advocacy.

Community Relations:

• As appropriate, speak to Jewish community groups and organizations, as well as other appropriate nonprofit organizations and religious faiths to build partnerships and educate on issues and current events topics.

Media Engagement & Thought Leadership:

• Act as spokesperson for the Jewish community on public policy, political, and public affairs related issues to both niche and mainstream media.
• Oversee production, research, and writing of memoranda and issue backgrounders, as well as legislative testimony. As appropriate, author and publish op-eds, social media posts, speak publicly and/or sit on panels.
• Ideate and orchestrate media engagement strategies
• Spearhead any or all public relation initiatives

Israel Connection:

• Strengthen the US-Israel and the Ohio-Israel connection through legislation and administrative action
• Lead missions of civic leaders and societal influencers to Israel,
• Bring Israeli leaders to Ohio and strengthen joint projects and partnerships.

Political Action:

• Engage with candidates for public office, political parties, and campaign staff at all levels to educate them on issues of importance to the community.
• Educate community members on issues, including the importance of voting.

Partnerships & Collaborations:

• Collaborate and partner with other organizations within the Jewish community as appropriate, including OJC’s Observer organizations and lay leaders
• Interact with, and take direction from, Ohio’s Jewish Federation professionals. Partner with non-Jewish organizations when appropriate.
• Engage with affiliated organizations to OJC, even if legally distinct, including, but not limited to, the OJC PAC and the Ohio Israel Innovation Collaborative.

Development

• Identify, cultivate and solicit new donors while building strong relationships with existing donors
• Regularly assess current fundraising initiatives. Drive a culture of effective fundraising and implement strategies to meet revenue goals and growth.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Outreach to key stakeholders in the Federation system, the Ohio Jewish community, national groups, and others.
• Ensure Jewish Community Relationship Council directors, Federation CEOs, Federation security directors, and key agency heads as well as relevant lay leaders are both informed and engaged. Establish and maintain relationships with Ohio’s Jewish Federations and member agencies, Observer groups and their national organizations, Jewish Federation of North America, The Conference of Presidents, Israel’s Consulate General, The Economic Mission of Israel, Republican Jewish Coalition, Jewish Democratic Council of America, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and others, as appropriate.

Budgetary, Development, and Administrative:

• Responsible, both managerially and fiduciary, for organizational balanced budget, fundraising, including off-budget and special budget items, and lobbying and ethics compliance.
• Supervise organizational staff and interns in an effective manner utilizing their knowledge, strength, and skills.
• Develop political contribution strategy for the OJC PAC in conjunction with PAC leadership.

Qualifications

• Required minimum 7-10 years’ professional experience in lobbying and or government relations. Additional communal relations experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in related fields required. Masters, JD, and/or other advanced degrees/certifications preferred.
• Must have knowledge of and experience with developing and leading public policy campaigns and working with diverse stakeholders/communities. Prior travel experience to Israel and knowledge of Jewish community, culture, traditions, and Jewish communal services preferred.
• Past supervisory experience and strong history of working with a volunteer board of directors and key state lay leaders.
• Strong oral communication skills as evidenced by experience with public speaking in large and small groups.
• Ability to build strong relationships with donors with a “development” mind-set.
• Strong written skills as evidenced by published op-eds and other thought pieces on multiple platforms, public position papers, internal community communications, and drafted legislation.
• Ability to be persuasive in presenting public policy initiatives.
• Strong ability to work effectively on a bipartisan basis.
• Possesses the ability to multitask and to consistently generate substantial productivity.
• Ability to work independently without close oversight but also be a team player.
• Fundraising experience.
• Dynamic and creative thought leader and solutions driver.
• Must live in, or be willing to relocate to, Columbus, Ohio.
• Ability to travel on a regular basis, primarily in Ohio and Washington DC, as well as internationally to Israel.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer software skills and use of technology, as well as strong ability to engage in social media.

Work Environment: Fast paced and entrepreneurial. On site with travel around Ohio, DC and Israel.

Compensation / Benefits: $175,000-$225,000, based on experience, plus benefits.

For more information or to apply, please contact Carin@sageviewconsulting.com