ABOUT:
JewishColumbus’ mission is to create a vibrant and secure community in Columbus, Israel and around the world. We do so by instilling Jewish pride and identity, protecting and securing the local community, connecting with Israel and Jews around the world and protecting vulnerable Jewish populations. JewishColumbus has the unique ability to harness collective knowledge and resources to meet the various needs of our diverse Jewish community effectively and holistically. We are the community convener. We respond to crisis and ensure a strong future for the Columbus Jewish community through robust and trusting partnerships with local Jewish agencies and synagogues. We are innovative. We are inclusive. We challenge the status quo and strive to be at the forefront of trends within the Jewish and non-profit communities. Work for an organization where your time and talent will be valued, and your voice will be heard. For more information, visit our website at www.jewishcolumbus.org.
THE ROLE:
The Director of Community Relations helps protect and defend the Jewish community through relationship building, coalition work, government affairs, public affairs and advocacy. The Director will work closely with the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC). He/She is responsible for monitoring and addressing local, national, and international events, working with the JCRC to find ways to assess and mitigate issues facing the Jewish Community, and to build relationships that will secure and safeguard the Jewish People. This is an outward facing role requiring area expertise and an extroverted personality to work closely with a broad range of community members, partner agencies, staff, and JCRC chairs to position the JewishColumbus JCRC and the Jewish community in key relationships and conversations.
REPORTS TO: Chief Impact & Strategy Officer
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Community Relations
- Convene, educate, and mobilize broad support for issues of significance to the Jewish community by skillfully championing causes and collaborating with relevant organizations.
- Develop and disseminate appropriate information to Jewish community and the public as needed.
- Foster collaborative relationships based on mutual understanding and respect with other communities and groups and build and engage in coalitions on areas of common concern and priorities.
- Work with JCRC leadership to represent the interests of the Jewish community with religious, non-profit, civic, corporate, political, ethnic, and academic arenas, as well as the media.
- Engage and work with local Jewish communal organizations and agencies and community members to advance the objectives of the organized Jewish community.
- Work with diverse constituencies within the Jewish community to reflect a broad spectrum of political, religious, and geographic perspectives with a commitment to using a deliberative process to debate complex issues and, where appropriate, shape consensus
- Serve as a resource to the Jewish and non-Jewish communities.
- Antisemitism
- Respond to antisemitic incidents and develop communication cadence to community leaders, effected communities & media.
- Develop, implement and maintain a crisis response and intervention plan.
- Coordinate with Director Community-wide Security on issues of antisemitism and security.
- Liaise appropriately with ADL, JDC and other organizations.
- Government Affairs
- Establish and maintain strong ties with government officials, elected and appointed, at the local, state and federal level.
- Liaise and undertake advocacy and public policy work with Ohio Jewish Communities (OJC), the Jewish Federation of North American’s (JFNA) Washington Office, and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA)
- Monitor local, national and international events for Jewish issues and Israel advocacy, and work with leadership and community members to set policy and mobilize community actions.
- Advocate on government funding for JewishColumbus and its partner agencies as well as on public policy issues of concern, with the support of the OJC.
- Communications
- Deepen and refine JCRC’s external communication strategy from its digital presence to its external relationships to continue to promote the work of JCRC.
- Collaborate with the Marketing department to create press releases, policy descriptions, social media updates, and event promotion.
- Maintain strong and ongoing ties, as well as represent the JCRC in the media.
- In close collaboration with CMO, communicate with media and community-at-large concerning issues related to antisemitism, Israel, and other areas of Jewish community concern.
- Administrative Responsibilities
- Provide necessary oversight and staff support for JCRC. This includes preparation of meeting notices, program announcements, minutes, brochures, general correspondence, and reports.
- Prepare and oversee annual JCRC departmental budget.
COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITES: JCRC
QUALIFICATIONS:
A successful candidate will have a track record of collaboration and being the Jewish voice in coalitions and public forums through a working knowledge of Jewish values, history, heritage, culture, and ideals. They should have an ability to create programs and processes to improve and sustain the organization. They should have excellent communications skills as a listener, writer, and orator and the ability to advocate and persuade on behalf of the positions of the Jewish Community Relations Council. A successful candidate must be comfortable in a variety of interfaith and intergroup environments, as well as a background in organizational management including program development in a non-profit, government or similar environment.
EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree is required.
- 5+ years’ experience in related field such as community relations, government relations, public policy, and/or advocacy
- Experience in a non-profit setting and/or grassroots organizing. Jewish communal experience preferred.
- Experience working with diverse constituencies to develop consensus.
- Experience planning public events.
- Strong experience working with and motivating volunteers.
- A passionate commitment to the Jewish community, addressing issues affecting Jewish communities and Israel, and the ability to engage and inspire others regarding these issues.
- Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic, and problem-solving skills. Strong partnering skills and the ability and desire to work with the professional and volunteer leaders of all community agencies, Jewish and interfaith houses of worship, institutions, and organizations as well as government officials.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to present professionally and communicate articulately in a manner that appropriately represents the breadth of the Jewish community.
- Experience building trust and working in partnership to achieve results.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Knowledge and understanding of Jewish practices, customs, history, and community infrastructure.
- Knowledge of Israel, Israeli history, and current events
- Knowledge and understanding of United States & Israel government affairs, legislative processes, and advocacy.
- Knowledge and understanding of local politics and legislative processes.
- Knowledge of the history of antisemitism and effective strategies to combat modern forms of antisemitism.
- Strong organizational skills, effective multi-tasker and ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to think analytically, communicate ideas and develop solutions.
- A strong bias for action and ability to adapt in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
- Ability to work both independently and closely with others in a team environment.
- Possess integrity for maintaining confidential information.
- Ability to form durable and productive relationships with the breadth of voices in the Jewish community.
- Skilled in engaging and persuasive public speaking that are equally effective one-on-one with community leaders, with larger groups of stakeholders and with the public.
SALARY: $90,000 to $100,000 based on experience