BACKGROUND
For more than 85 years Federation has worked to create a vibrant, caring, connected and enduring Jewish Community by strengthening Jewish identity, caring for Jews in need and fostering deep connections with Israel and Jews around the world. San Diego County is home to more than 100,000 Jews, in about 50,000 households. We are a thriving, vibrant, multi-faceted Jewish community of more than 100 Jewish communal organizations. More information about Jewish San Diego is available on our website, www.jewishinsandiego.org. Federation staff are passionate about community building, highly collaborative and always learning. We bring a wide range of experiences and backgrounds to our work and welcome all applicants for this dynamic position.
POSITION SUMMARY
As immersive travel becomes a central way for the San Diego Jewish community to connect with Israel and global Jewish peoplehood, we are seeking an experienced and dynamic Immersive Travel Manager. This position is responsible for managing, planning, and executing Federation’s immersive travel portfolio, with a focus on 3–4 trips per year, including:
- Israel Unfiltered (in collaboration with RootOne)
- Global Ambassador Program (GAP) – Mexico & Budapest
- Young Adult Mission (and other emerging opportunities)
- Teen delegations from Israel and additional programs such as Honeymoon Israel (HMI)
The Immersive Travel Manager will play a vital role in building global Jewish connections while ensuring seamless program operations, meaningful educational content, and strong community engagement. This role is a key member of the Immersive Travel Team and reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO).
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Israel Unfiltered
- Design a meaningful teen Israel experience that delivers on key donor set outcomes and attracts a diverse group of teens participants.
- Create and implement a teen centric Israel advocacy, leadership and education program to attract new participants and engage alumni.
- Collaborate with partner organizations on teen programs for the community.
- Serve as primary liaison with RootOne, including grant submissions and compliance.
- Implement RootOne’s 18 Points pre-trip framework and integrate RootOne educational strategies during travel.
- Lead all parent communication, from recruitment through follow-up.
Global Ambassador Program (GAP – Mexico & Budapest)
- Collaborate with partners in Mexico City and Budapest to design and deliver meaningful teen exchanges.
- Manage all logistics, itineraries, and staffing in coordination with local partners.
- Oversee parent communication before, during, and after the trip.
- Create post-trip opportunities for teens to continue global Jewish engagement.
Additional Programs (Delegations & HMI)
- Support planning and execution for other immersive travel programs as assigned.
- Ensure consistency with Federation’s overall immersive travel strategy.
Core Responsibilities Across All Trips
Recruitment & Registration
- Develop and execute recruitment strategies with synagogues, schools, and community partners.
- Oversee registration from inquiry through enrollment, in partnership with the Events & Missions Manager.
- Track progress toward enrollment goals and adjust outreach as needed.
Marketing & Promotion
- Collaborate with the Marketing Team to create promotional campaigns for each trip.
- Leverage social media, community events, and word-of-mouth networks to maximize visibility.
Staff Recruitment & Training
- Recruit, select, and train trip staff, including chaperones and program leaders.
- Collaborate with RootOne on staff training for Israel Unfiltered.
Educational & Alumni Engagement
- Develop pre-trip educational sessions and team-building activities.
- Facilitate meaningful on-the-ground educational experiences.
- Organize post-trip alumni opportunities (reunions, mentorship, community programs).
Evaluation & Reporting
- Collect and analyze feedback from participants and parents.
- Provide program reports and recommendations for improvement.
- Ensure compliance with grant and partnership reporting requirements.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree required, preferrably in a related field including Jewish Education, Political Science, or Teaching
- 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in program management, immersive travel, or Jewish education.
- Demonstrated success managing complex logistics and multi-stakeholder projects.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Familiarity with Israel, global Jewish communities, and Jewish teen/young adult engagement.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally multiple times per year.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND EQUIPMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee must occasionally crouch, stoop, or reach. The employee must have the ability to travel and work weekends and evenings when needed.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This is a full-time position, working onsite in San Diego, CA, with the ability to work from home on most Fridays.
Compensation range: $80,000-90,000 per year, with a generous benefits plan, retirement plan and comprehensive paid sick leave, vacation and up to 22 paid holidays per year.
Jewish Federation of San Diego County is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veterans’ status or any other protected category. Relocation assistance is not offered for this position. All qualified candidates must be able to provide proof of their ability to work in the United States without support. All candidates will be required to successfully complete a background check prior to beginning work at JFSD.
Interested candidates should provide a cover letter and a detailed resume to ‘[email protected]’.