Director of Ohio-Israel Business Partnerships
Organization: Ohio-Israel Agriculture & CleanTech Initiative (OIACI), The Negev Foundation
Contact: Sam Hoenig
Title: Program Director
Position Type: Full-time, on-site (Ohio-based role).
Position Type: Full-time, on-site (Ohio-based role). This position requires current Ohio residency. Candidates residing outside of Ohio will not be considered. Remote work may be authorized for Ohio residents living outside the Greater Cleveland area, with required attendance at occasional on-site meetings and special events.
Date: 3/2/2026
About the OIACI
The Ohio-Israel Agriculture & CleanTech Initiative (OIACI) is a program of the Negev Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Cleveland, Ohio. The OIACI was launched in 2002 to enhance trade, research & development relationships between Israel and Ohio in the agriculture, processed food, and water sectors. The Initiative facilitates pilot projects, promotes trade activity, attracts business investment, and strengthens partnerships between Ohio and Israeli companies in the agriculture, food, and water sectors. To learn more about the initiative, please visit our website: www.ohioisrael.org.
About the Program Director
The Ohio-Israel Agriculture & CleanTech Initiative (OIACI) is a program of the Negev Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Cleveland, Ohio. OIACI strengthens trade, investment, and research relationships between Ohio and Israeli companies in the agriculture, food, and water sectors. The Initiative serves as a matchmaker and facilitator, connecting companies, institutions, and government partners to advance collaboration, pilot activity, and market entry.
About the Role
The Program Director is a leadership role that works directly with Israeli and Ohio-based companies, partners, and institutions to facilitate trade, build strategic partnerships, and drive business matchmaking. This is not a service-delivery or educational role; it requires actively engaging executives, founders, government officials, and economic development stakeholders to translate relationships into concrete collaborations and market-facing opportunities.
For example, this role supports the Initiative’s efforts to identify, connect, and advance Israeli agriculture, water, food, and CleanTech solutions that address Ohio’s sector needs, while facilitating trade and partnership opportunities for Ohio-based companies in the Israeli market.
The role helps position Ohio as a competitive entry point for building a U.S. presence by leveraging the state’s central geography, strong agricultural and industrial base, access to customers and supply chains, and favorable cost structure, as well as relevant state programs and incentives.
In practice, the role works hands-on with companies to identify and develop pilot and proof-of-concept opportunities, coordinate relationships with commercial, academic, and research partners, and help navigate state, regional, and institutional resources.
Responsibilities
- Facilitate business and trade partnerships between Ohio and Israeli companies in the agriculture, food, and water sectors.
- Identify and advance opportunities for pilot projects, demonstrations, and collaborative initiatives.
- Build and maintain relationships with business leaders, economic development organizations, and state and local government partners.
- Represent OIACI at professional events, conferences, trade-related meetings, and stakeholder convenings.
- Maintain and grow OIACI’s database of Ohio and Israeli companies and partner organizations.
- Develop and implement a program action plan with measurable partnership and trade-related outcomes.
- Prepare written progress reports and provide regular status updates to leadership and advisory stakeholders.
- Identify grant and funding opportunities related to trade, innovation, and collaboration, and assist with proposal development.
- Stay informed on emerging trends in agriculture, clean technology, water, and climate-smart solutions.
Requirements
- Currently living in Ohio.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Business, Economics, Agribusiness, International Business, or a closely related field.
- Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in trade facilitation, business partnerships, economic development, or investment attraction.
- Demonstrated experience working in an external-facing, relationship-driven role with businesses and public-sector stakeholders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presentation experience.
- Ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously in a small, collaborative team environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and database or CRM systems.
- English fluency required; Hebrew proficiency is a plus but not required.
Starting Salary & Benefits
$70,000 - $75,000
401(k)
401(k) matching
Health Insurance Stipend
Generous Paid Time Off - Plus Jewish & American holidays
Paid Sick Leave