About UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

At UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, our vision is to lead the most vibrant Jewish community in North America - a community characterized by its diversity, unity, compassion, generosity and commitment to Jewish values. Together with our philanthropic, volunteer and professional leadership, we’re changing lives.

As one of North America’s leading Jewish non-profits, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto works to preserve and strengthen the quality of Jewish life in Greater Toronto, Canada, Israel and around the world. UJA advances this mission through fundraising, programs, and research focused on our strategic pillars: fighting poverty and improving well-being, growing Jewish education and identity, countering antisemitism and hate, and strengthening connections with Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.

About the Organization

A Jewish advocacy organization operating within a specific regulated sector is seeking a Director of Strategy, Advocacy, and Stakeholder Relations to advance its mission of empowering Jewish professionals and strengthening advocacy across institutional, governmental, and community settings.

This organization brings together individuals committed to advocacy, education, and unity, while protecting members against antisemitism and anti-Zionism. Its mission is to unite and empower Jewish professionals by fostering collaboration, promoting Jewish education, building solidarity with Israel, and supporting members in making meaningful contributions in the communities where they live and serve.

More information about the organization and its specific sector will be shared with applicants during the hiring process.

Position Overview

The Director of Strategy, Advocacy, and Stakeholder Relations is a senior leadership position responsible for shaping and advancing the organization’s advocacy, external relations, and strategic initiatives. Reporting directly to the Executive, the Director will serve as a key driver in positioning the organization as a leading voice in both the Jewish communal and regulated-sector environments.

The successful candidate will be an experienced and visionary leader, with a demonstrated ability to navigate complex institutional and regulatory landscapes, influence senior stakeholders, and lead through moments of both opportunity and crisis. Ideal candidates will possess deep familiarity with the Jewish advocacy environment and be capable of engaging at high levels of decision-making within regulated institutions, universities, government, and community organizations.

As a rapidly growing start-up born out of necessity following October 7, 2023, the organization offers an exciting opportunity to help build from the ground up, requiring strategic foresight, political acumen, emotional intelligence, and operational excellence in a fast-moving, high-impact environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Develop and execute an annual strategic action plan aligned with the organization’s mission and long-term vision.
• Monitor organizational performance and recommend course corrections based on evolving priorities and member needs.
• Provide thought leadership on complex issues, including institutional antisemitism and stakeholder engagement within regulated environments.
• Lead cross-functional efforts to assess and optimize internal systems, structures, and programming.

Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement

• Design and lead high-level advocacy campaigns targeting regulated institutions, academic bodies, regulatory bodies, and government stakeholders.

• Cultivate and expand strategic relationships across Ontario’s professional and academic sectors to enhance the organization’s visibility and credibility.
• Collaborate with the Executive to engage national associations and coordinate cohesive advocacy strategies at the federal level.
• Develop customized briefing materials and talking points for meetings with senior officials and institutional leaders.

External Communications

• Co-lead external messaging efforts with the Communications Consultant, ensuring alignment across press releases, op-eds, stakeholder communications, and social media.
• Support members in developing personalized messaging for institutional engagements involving sensitive issues such as antisemitism and Zionism.
• Tailor communications for diverse audiences, including media, institutional leadership, academic executives, and policymakers.

Crisis Management and Issue Response

• Serve as a primary point of contact for rapid-response efforts related to reputational crises, institutional conflict, or urgent advocacy needs.
• Coordinate internal response teams to triage and address antisemitism-related incidents affecting members.
• Develop protocols and systems for real-time responsiveness to unfolding events across professional and academic settings.

Research, Policy, and Data Strategy

• Translate research findings and member feedback into policy positions, strategic insights, and data-driven recommendations.
• Lead or support the development of surveys, reports, and advocacy tools that document the experiences of Jewish professionals in regulated fields.
• Draft high-impact publications, including annual reports and briefings, for both internal and external stakeholders.

Funding and Resource Mobilization

• Identify and pursue funding opportunities with aligned philanthropic institutions and partners.
• Develop compelling grant applications and fundraising narratives that demonstrate impact and mission alignment.
• Facilitate joint fundraising efforts with peer organizations and partners in the advocacy and regulated-sector communities.

Required Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in Jewish community organizations, advocacy agencies, academic institutions, or leadership roles within regulated sectors.
• Demonstrated expertise in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and policy strategy within complex institutional or regulated environments.
• Sophisticated communication skills, with the ability to distill complex issues into clear, persuasive messaging.
• Proven ability to lead in high-pressure environments, particularly during reputational or identity-based crises.
• Track record of successfully managing relationships across senior stakeholders, including in politically sensitive contexts.
• High emotional intelligence and sensitivity to trauma, identity, and intercommunal dynamics.
• Proactive, strategic thinker with a results-oriented mindset, able to navigate ambiguity and prioritize effectively.

Additional Assets

• Previous engagement with Zionist, Jewish communal, or civil society organizations.

• Familiarity with relevant legal and policy frameworks (e.g., regulatory bodies, human rights codes, university policies).

• Experience drafting proposals, policy briefs, or impact reports.
• Graduate-level degree in a related field (e.g., Law, Public Policy, Political Science, Jewish Studies).
• Lived experience aligned with the challenges faced by Jewish professionals in regulated sectors, or deep understanding of antisemitism and anti-Zionism in professional settings.

Working Culture and Expectations

• Daily availability for timely engagement in high-priority matters (e.g., chat monitoring, urgent requests).
• Flexibility to work evenings or weekends based on emerging events or crises.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills with the Executive and Board.
• Comfort in a start-up environment with fluid responsibilities and evolving structures.

This is a full-time 12 month contract position. At UJA we support a flexible work schedule and all of our employees engage in hybrid work. Engagement and connection are key to supporting the best employee experience and we want to ensure that this puts balance and well-being at the forefront of our approach to ways of working. In addition to a rich time off policy, UJA’s offices are closed on all Jewish holy days (yom tov) and we support early office closures to observe the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat).

Qualified applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resume.
Only those applicants invited for interview will be contacted. Please be advised that all offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of professional references and background checks including Social Media Account(s) and a Police Records Check/Vulnerable Sector Screening.

Commitment to Inclusion and Accessibility:

UJA Federation supports a diverse candidate and employment experience. We are proud of our dynamic professional team, which reflects the diversity of the Jewish community and general community alike in Greater Toronto. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all communities. We encourage you to follow us to get regular updates on open roles. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace and believe this is essential to ensure that every member of our team can thrive.

We adhere to barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.