Senior Director, Strategic Support

Reports to: Associate Vice President, Federation Growth

Full time position, salary range - $120-$130K

Preference for candidates in New York or DC

The Jewish Federations of North America (“JFNA”) consist of 141 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.

The Impact and Growth Department is responsible for systematically gathering, organizing, and using data, research, and qualitative insights from colleagues and cohorts across the organization to inform and enhance the success of individual Federations and the Jewish Federation system. As a core component of this effort, the team builds and operates the Federation system’s data collection and analysis and shares actionable insights with Federations and their leaders. We use data to develop the platforms, services, tools and support to enable Federation and their local communities to grow. The Impact & Growth team also oversees the Jewish Federations relational supports to Federations through advising and sustaining professional cohorts.

Position Summary

The Senior Director, Strategic Support serves as the system-wide leader responsible for ensuring that Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) maintains a clear, timely, and actionable understanding of the health and stability of all 141 Federations. This role manages a comprehensive assessment process, conducted on a regular cadence, to evaluate organizational performance to identify successful and replicable models, as well as emerging risks. This position ensures that Federations are positioned for current success and future opportunities, and that JFNA can proactively provide the most effective support.

Acting as a strategic operator, the Senior Director will coordinate cross‑functional internal teams, synthesize quantitative and qualitative inputs, and surface opportunities for stabilization, rebuilding, or acceleration. This role will work directly with Federation professionals and lay leaders to gather key information, ensure they have clear and actionable insights, and maintain strong, service‑oriented relationships. The Senior Director will also identify system‑wide trends and codify insights into repeatable frameworks that strengthen day‑to‑day Federation capacity and improve the effectiveness of resources, tools, and supports developed by JFNA.

Key Responsibilities

• Equip Federations with the insights, context, and strategic focus needed to navigate complexity and strengthen community impact. The Senior Director will:
  • Implement a diagnostic tool that assesses the current conditions of individual Federations based on data gathered by the Impact & Growth team and other vetted sources.
  • Synthesize data into dossiers that illuminate key trends (demographics, financial conditions, leadership dynamics, patterns of engagement and JFNA service engagement) helping Federations make informed, forward‑looking decisions.
  • Regularly aggregate and analyze Federation data related to organizational health at both the individual‑Federation and system‑wide. levels, identifying trends across Federations and building scalable processes that support consistent assessment across the network.
  • Build and maintain direct relationships with Federation professionals to gather qualitative data and insight on JFNA service impact
  • Support Federation professionals in activating data in dossiers into a set of top strategic priorities, helping leaders focus on the actions most critical to strengthening their community’s future.
  • Coordinate with internal Jewish Federations of North America team to align community needs with available resources and services, ensuring Federations receive timely, targeted support that strengthens their capacity and impact.

• Provide administrative, logistical, and operational support for core Federation Growth efforts. The Senior Director will:
  • Serve as the primary operational liaison to the Federation Resource Council (FRC), including managing the hardship dues request process and preparing the accompanying analytic dossiers
  • Partner in the creation of new growth pilots, informed by data, to support specific areas of needs, especially smaller communities
  • Support the development of professional cohorts including both the operational tasks associated, as well as building relationships with Federation Professionals in cohorts and pilot programs
  • Provide administrative and operational support for high‑level meetings with Federations, cross‑departmental JFNA partners, and external stakeholders, including agenda development, materials preparation, coordination, and documentation of outcomes

The Ideal Candidate Will Be:

• A systems‑level thinker and strategic problem‑solver with experience in assessing organizational conditions, and recommending targeted, actionable interventions.
• Experienced in managing complex, multi‑stakeholder initiatives, with a demonstrated ability to coordinate cross‑functional teams
• Highly analytical and data‑fluent, with strong Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) capabilities and a track record of turning multi‑dimensional inputs into insights that drive strategic decisions.
• An exceptional communicator and synthesizer, adept at translating complex information into clear narratives.

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: $120,000 - $130,000

To apply, please click here.

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.