UJA-Federation of New York is the largest local philanthropy in the world. For more than 100 years, we’ve brought New Yorkers together to solve some of the most pressing problems facing our community. Thanks to our network of hundreds of non-profits, we can leverage our expertise across any number of areas — including health and human services, arts and culture, and education — to care for Jews everywhere and New Yorkers of all backgrounds, respond to crises close to home and far away, and shape our Jewish future. Our reach extends from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year.
Position Summary:
The role of Director, Day School Strategy requires a dynamic self-starter who is passionate about day schools and yeshivot as vehicles for Jewish education, engagement, and leadership. In order to be successful, one must be a proactive thinker and doer, someone who will enthusiastically build substantial relationships with practitioners and thought leaders to assure that UJA Federation of NY’s investments in day schools and yeshivot inspire and sustain excellence.
There are close to 250 Jewish schools across the UJA-Federation of New York catchment area. They serve diverse communities and have a wide variety of challenges and strengths. Collectively, these schools are vital to a strong Jewish community, today and tomorrow. Working closely with local and national organizations, in and across the field, the day school director will create strategies that meet the needs of area schools and advancing key strategic priorities for UJA. Given the size and scope of the enterprise, this will involve leveraging wisdom and best practice from partner organizations, consideration of the use of philanthropic and government dollars and an acute understanding of the unique role UJA might play among all of these organizations.
Core to this role is the ongoing involvement with and fluency of existing UJA programs including the Day School Challenge Fund, Fund for Jewish Education, and Biller Scholarships. The Director will actively coordinate and communicate with professional teams throughout UJA, especially colleagues in the Jewish Life, Operations and Government Relations departments. This senior level professional serves as UJA representative to local and national tables and should be comfortable leading and learning in these environments. On a day-to-day basis, this position requires facility with creating positive and productive professional and lay relationships.
Major Responsibilities:
- Nurture relationships with day school professionals, Heads of Schools, Executive Directors, Directors of Institutional Advancement, etc. to advance UJA strategic priorities and maintain a deep understanding of the field.
- Continuously assess and monitor needs, trends and opportunities by maintaining ongoing communication with:
- local day schools and yeshivot
- community-based organizations
- local and national Jewish education and day school organizations.
- UJA colleagues including planners, operations, community mobilizers and government relations and financial resource development colleagues
- Manage:
- Database of interactions and relationships with day schools and professionals
- Ongoing reporting for the Day School Challenge Fund
- Related grant making including sector specific pilot projects and ongoing initiatives
- Provide sector specific expertise to professional and lay colleagues.
- Maintain a strong connection to the Government Relations department at UJA and its ongoing work.
- Liaise with the committees of the Jewish Life department and participate in team meetings and retreats.
- Participate in Jewish Life Cabinet and department meetings.
- Participate in relevant cross-committee and cross-department strategic thinking and initiative planning groups.
- Manage lay partners, working groups, and committees as needed.
- Take on additional responsibilities as the needs of the department evolve.
Qualifications and Competencies:
- Master’s degree or advanced degree in related field preferred.
- 5-7 years of related experience in non-profit sector.
- 5-7 years of related practical planning and management experience in the field preferred.
- Ability to quickly gain a sense of the landscape and roles of relevant partners in order to identify unique roles UJA Federation might play in order to add value.
- Curious learner who builds field expertise through reading relevant materials, meeting lay and professional colleagues and potential partners and attending events.
- Eloquent spokesperson in the community on behalf of UJA’s day school strategies and priorities.
- Ability to think strategically and systemically about issues and how they relate to day schools.
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to juggle multiple projects.
- Strong project management skills and follow through.
- Open to occasional travel throughout the five boroughs, Westchester, and Long Island.
- Knowledge of and commitment to the mission of UJA Federation, the Jewish not- for-profit sector, and day schools
- Excellent planning, writing, and presentation skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Cloud tools including Teams, Sharepoint, OneDrive, Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
Salary Information:
The salary range for this role is $100,000 - $115,000 annually; commensurate with experience and qualifications listed above.
Great Perks. Because We Appreciate Great Employees.
TIME OFF
We offer a generous number of vacation days and have the Jewish holidays off as well. Fridays our offices close early (October to March at 3:00 pm and April to September at 4:00 pm). All so you can relax and recharge.
HYBRID MODEL
We’re operating on a hybrid work model: three set days in the office and two days remote. So enjoy the best of both worlds — the comforts of home and the energy of the office.
HEALTH CARE
UJA provides a top-tier medical and dental plan, along with a flexible spending account. We also offer life insurance. And for a small cost you can take part in on-site yoga and exercise classes at our Manhattan office. Wellness matters to us.
PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT
UJA employees can enroll in a pension plan and tax deferred annuity.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Classes, workshops, and compelling speakers will keep you at the top of your game.
COMMUNITY
We come together as a staff to commemorate holidays (from Rosh Hashanah to MLK Day), volunteer at nonprofits, and celebrate our accomplishments together. (Our chocolate chip cookies are legendary!)
SOME MORE (YES, MORE!)
We also offer a backup childcare program. And a commuter benefit plan. So, you can get to work and feel good about it.