Director, Jewish Community Relations Council

Director, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) 

Position Summary:  

The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is the Jewish community's central community relations and government affairs arm in Greater Philadelphia. We lead, convene, educate, and advocate on behalf of Jewish interests and local, national, and international public policy issues. Through our activities, we strive to improve intergroup understanding and advance a more just and pluralistic society.  

The JCRC is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director to play a key leadership role in advancing our mission. This position will oversee critical initiatives, including program development, coalition building, public policy advocacy, and community outreach.  The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of Jewish communal affairs and a commitment to social justice.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Work with the Chief of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) to support the work of the JCRC and Jewish Federation’s Center to Combat Antisemitism in convening, educating, and mobilizing broad support on issues of significance to the Jewish community.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive program agenda that addresses the core mission areas of the JCRC and Center to Combat Antisemitism, including:
• Deepening understanding of the State of Israel
• Responding to antisemitism and anti-Zionism
• Building relationships with other faith-based and ethnic communities
• Engaging in public policy and government advocacy on local, national, and international issues
• Promoting social and racial justice
• Represent the JCRC at meetings and events, delivering compelling presentations and advocating for our positions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, elected officials, and media representatives.
• Represent the JCRC by staffing JCRC committees and participating in regional advisory groups and coalitions.
• Proactively seek out ways to engage and impact the community, and assess needs for education, advocacy, and representation.
• Research incidents of antisemitism and anti-Zionism to inform strategic responses and educational programming. 
• Manage the logistics of multiple programs and projects, including identifying participants, developing promotional materials, managing budgets, and overseeing program evaluation.
• Supervise the JCRC’s Education Manager, providing guidance, performance feedback, and professional development support. 
• Assist in preparing annual work plans and budgets for organizational approval. 
• Stay abreast of emerging trends in Jewish communal affairs, public policy, and social justice issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of the JCRC.

Requirements

Qualifications and Job Requirements

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in a relevant field, such as community relations, government affairs, non-profit program management, or education.
• Deep understanding of Jewish communal affairs, Israel, and a commitment to Jewish values.
• Knowledge of the history of antisemitism and effective strategies to combat modern forms of antisemitism.
• Passion for advocacy on behalf of Jewish priorities and causes.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to craft persuasive messages for diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including community partners, elected officials, media representatives, and coalition members.
• Experience developing and implementing educational, advocacy, and relationship-building programs.
• Ability to research and analyze incidents and trends to inform strategic responses.
• Experience supervising staff, providing mentorship, and fostering professional growth.
• Comfort representing an organization in public settings, including delivering presentations and advocating for positions in meetings, forums, and events.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with relevant database and communication software.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Flexibility to work evenings and Sundays as needed. 
• Regular access to a reliable means of transportation.  

Overview

Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including a hybrid work schedule, medical, dental, vision, prescription drug program, life insurance, generous paid time off and 403b retirement savings program.