POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is a full-time, exempt professional employee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo (JFGT). The Director will provide professional leadership and responsibility for JFGT’s community relations and public affairs activities. The Director will work in cooperation with JFGT’s Chief Executive Officer and the JCRC Chairperson to set priorities for the local Jewish community relations agenda and will oversee the core work of the JCRC including issues related to Israel advocacy, antisemitism, local, state and national government relations, social and economic justice and interfaith relations. The Director reports to the JFGT CEO. In coordination with the CEO and the JCRC Chairman, the JCRC Director will serve as a resource to media, government officials and Jewish and non-Jewish community leaders on matters relating to Israel and the Jewish community.
 

The Vice President Community and Government Relations (“VPCGR”) position is a more senior role for a full-time, exempt professional employee of JFGT. This position and title could be filled by a candidate for the JCRC Director role with the right mix of experience and qualifications. The VP has an expanded role as part of JFGT’s leadership team. We are looking to fill one of the two positions.
 

Over the last three years, Toledo has allocated significant resources for professionals and engaged with dedicated lay people to build a well-regarded and deeply successful community relations program. The position offers the right candidate the opportunity to fulfill professional goals in a community that values and understands the importance of Jewish community relations. Our JCRC has a structure and a task force model that is not the traditional “committee” experience. Task force chairs work with community members on projects that are developed, executed, evaluated and improved. The model works because it values people’s time and creates enthusiasm around action that leads to results. We are seeking a candidate who sees the big picture, is not interested in silos, seeks growth and wants to work on a team to fulfill JFGT’s mission to deliver a Jewish future.
 

BACKGROUND
With an annual operating budget of over $4 million dollars and a staff of over 30 full time team members, JFGT is the central address for community services, programing, and philanthropy for the Jewish community of northwest Ohio and part of southeast Michigan. JFGT includes a successful endowment program through the Toledo Jewish Community Foundation that stewards over $50 million dollars in community assets, a seven-figure annual campaign, a Jewish Senior, Family and Social Services division including a community food pantry in its own building, a professionally staffed Jewish Community Relations Council, a preschool in its own building, the PJ Library program, an active Next Jewish Generation program, Hillel programs at two state universities, exceptional programs for community members age 55 and better and a Toledo Jewish Community Cemetery Association that operates and maintains two cemeteries. The JCRC division of JFGT has a budget of over $360,000.
 

The Toledo Jewish community is small but mighty and continues to support three synagogues (Reform, Conservative and Orthodox) as well as Chabad in its own building. Toledo boasts the University of Toledo, the Toledo Mudhens, and the nationally recognized Toledo Zoo and Toledo Museum of Art. Toledo is at the cross-roads of America with easy north/south highway access on I-75 and east/west highway access on I-80. It is within 50 minutes driving to Ann Arbor, 55 minutes to Detroit, 2 hours to Cleveland, and 4 hours to Chicago.
 

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Requires a bachelor’s degree and approximately 2-3 years of experience in relevant or related field, or equivalent demonstrable work experience.
• Role requires residency in the Toledo area. Limited work from home may be negotiated.
• Demonstrated excellence in:
  • Community relations-navigating challenging and polarized political environments and understanding of community dynamics with nuance and tact.
  • Project management and attention to detail.
  • Working independently with consistency and follow through to set goals, multi-task, and create work plans.
  • Embracing and fostering collaborative leadership.
  • Open-mindedness with the ability to see multiple sides of issues and be nonpartisan, when appropriate.
  • Oral and written communication skills with the ability to represent complex and diverse issues in an articulate and compelling manner and to tailor messaging to diverse audiences and stakeholders.
  • Interpersonal skills with the ability to work with a broad range of leaders and advocates to develop beneficial relationships.
  • Building coalitions and establishing strategic partnerships.
  • Advanced knowledge of, and experience advocating to combat, antisemitism (history, contemporary manifestations and intersections with other forms of extremism), knowledge of extremist movements and other forms of hatred and bigotry.
  • Advanced knowledge of and advocating for Israel and experience in educating on multiple complex and nuanced issues regarding Israel.

REPORTING
The JCRC Director or VPCGR will report directly to the CEO.
 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Management of JCRC
• Educate and build consensus among the Jewish community.
• Represent the Toledo Jewish community to public entities.
• Proactively engage in building bridges in inter-faith and inter-group settings.
• JFGT and JCRC Chair Support
• Other Duties as assigned.

Additional duties expected of the VPCGR

• Supervision and Management of the Community Relations Programming Specialist (“CoRPS”) and coordination with the Community Asset, Safety and Security Manager (“CASSM”).

Expanded Israel-related duties

• Participation as an active and contributing member of the JFGT Leadership Team
   

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Standing/lifting as necessary; ability to drive to meetings; sitting and close computer work.
 

SALARY AND BENEFITS
Depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate, we will hire either a JCRC Director or a VPCGR for a salary between $75,0000-$95,000. In addition, JFGT offers the following additional benefits:
Generous Paid Time Off including early close for Shabbat and Jewish holiday closures
 

Extended Illness Benefits

• 85% contribution to single participant coverage in group health (HMO and high deductible plans with HSA available) and dental plan
• Vision and other supplemental insurance available for employee purchase
• 401(k)—New employees are immediately eligible to make voluntary contributions. After one year service, JFGT contributes 7% annually of base salary (3% safe harbor with an additional 4% discretionary contribution)
• Group life insurance
• Cell phone plan reimbursement up to $600 per year
• YMCA/JCC max membership for you and family
• Reduced preschool tuition
• Laptop computer
• Professional development and conference expenses including potential travel to Israel
   

TO APPLY
Interested applicants should forward cover letter, resume and references to Pam at pam@jewishtoldo.org
 

Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender identification, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.