Associate Director, Jewish Community Relations Council

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of the United Jewish Federation and UJA-JCC Greenwich Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) works in partnership with the Director and both Federation CEO’s to advance the organization’s civic, governmental, interfaith, and community-relations goals. This individual will help build and sustain meaningful relationships with elected officials, municipal and state leaders, clergy and faith communities, educational institutions, and other key community stakeholders.

The Assistant Director will serve as a highly visible representative of the Jewish community, helping to foster mutual understanding, respond thoughtfully to community concerns, promote constructive dialogue, and strengthen collaboration across diverse constituencies. The ideal candidate is a relationship-builder with excellent judgment, strong written and verbal communication abilities, political and cultural sensitivity, and a deep commitment to Jewish communal life.

Key Responsibilities:

Community and Government Relations

• Work closely with the Director to develop and implement strategies that strengthen relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials, government agencies, civic leaders, and public-policy stakeholders.
• Represent the Federation and JCRC at civic meetings, public events, government briefings, community forums, and relevant coalition gatherings.
• Monitor local and regional issues affecting the Jewish community, including matters related to antisemitism, security, religious freedom, Israel, education, and other community priorities.
• Assist in preparing advocacy materials, briefing documents, talking points, letters, testimony, and correspondence for elected officials, community leaders, and organizational partners.
• Help coordinate meetings, site visits, roundtables, public programs, and legislative advocacy opportunities involving civic and government leaders.
• Maintain current records of government contacts, community partners, public officials, and relevant policy developments.

Interfaith and Community Engagement

• Build, strengthen, and maintain productive relationships with clergy, faith leaders, houses of worship, interfaith organizations, and leaders from diverse cultural and ethnic communities.
• Support the development of interfaith dialogues, educational programs, commemorations, community conversations, and relationship-building initiatives.
• Help create opportunities for the Jewish community to engage constructively with neighbors and partners around shared concerns, including combating hate, supporting vulnerable populations, promoting safety, and strengthening community cohesion.
• Represent the organization with diplomacy, respect, and sensitivity in conversations involving differing religious, political, and cultural perspectives.
• Assist in responding to incidents or issues that affect intergroup relations, antisemitism, bias, intolerance, or community safety, in coordination with the Director and organizational leadership.

Communications and Program Support

• Draft clear, accurate, and persuasive communications, including letters, emails, statements, reports, program descriptions, event invitations, speeches, briefing materials, and social-media or website content as appropriate.
• Support the planning and execution of JCRC programs, public events, advocacy initiatives, community forums, delegations, and educational opportunities.
• Prepare background research and talking points for the Director, lay leaders, speakers, and community representatives.
• Help communicate the work and impact of the Federation and JCRC to donors, board members, volunteers, community partners, and the broader public.
• Assist in developing program evaluations, activity reports, and updates for senior leadership and volunteer committees.

Relationship Management and Organizational Collaboration

• Cultivate trusted relationships with communal partners, including synagogues, Jewish organizations, schools, nonprofit agencies, volunteer leaders, donors, and other stakeholders.

• Work collaboratively with Federation and UJA-JCC staff, volunteer leadership, committees, and partner agencies to align community-relations efforts with broader organizational priorities.
• Provide staff support to JCRC committees, task forces, working groups, and volunteer leaders as assigned.
• Exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive issues, confidential information, and high-profile relationships.
• Help identify emerging partnership opportunities and recommend strategies to expand the organization’s visibility, influence, and impact within the broader community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, political science, Jewish communal service, nonprofit management, communications, international relations, theology, or a related field a plus.
• Two to four years of relevant professional experience in community relations, government affairs, public policy, nonprofit leadership, interfaith engagement, advocacy, communications, Jewish communal service, or a related area.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with a wide range of individuals and organizations, including civic leaders, elected officials, clergy, communal professionals, volunteers, and community members.
• Strong understanding of the Jewish community, Jewish values, and contemporary issues affecting Jewish communities locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Familiarity with local and regional government, public affairs, advocacy, interfaith relations, and/or civic engagement is strongly preferred.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to write effectively for varied audiences, including public officials, community partners, donors, volunteers, clergy, and the general public.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Sound political judgment, diplomacy, discretion, and the ability to navigate sensitive or complex issues with professionalism.
• Ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of a collaborative team.