Community Director Detroit

Founded in 1906, AJC seeks to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. Among Jewish advocacy organizations, AJC is the leader in the global arena. We are known for our unparalleled access to diplomats, government officials, and faith leaders in more than 100 countries. In addition to our New York headquarters and Office of Policy and Diplomatic Affairs in Washington, D.C., AJC has offices across the U.S. and around the globe and maintains partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide.

The Detroit Community Director will play an instrumental role in relaunching an independent AJC Detroit presence, providing strategic vision and implementation for ambitious advocacy, communication, leadership and development goals. The Community Director will work closely with the AJC Chicago and Midwest regional staff and will be supported by AJC’s national staff experts. 

The Community Director serves as Detroit’s on-the-ground AJC representative and primary point of contact with lay leaders, parents, government officials, religious and community leaders. The position engages current supporters and cultivates new relationships to increase awareness of AJC’s work and identifies development, programmatic and partnership/coalition-building opportunities. 

The Community Director does all of this while adhering to AJC’s core values: Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Accountability.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with Jewish and non-Jewish community organizations to establish AJC as a voice and partner in Detroit area.
• Serve as the confident and informed spokesperson for AJC during interactions with community partners and coalitions, promoting public awareness of AJC’s mission and work.
• Promote visibility and leadership of AJC in the community, establishing and maintaining relationships with appropriate community institutions and leaders, school and university officials, legislators and government officials, media representatives, law enforcement personnel, ethnic and interfaith group leaders, and the Jewish community. Identify and promote opportunities for joint programming with current or prospective community-based partners.
• Develop and implement innovative programs for lay leaders, funders and partners that reflect AJC’s mission and priorities of countering antisemitism and advocating for Israel. Responsibilities may include elected official and diplomatic outreach, educational advocacy at the K-12 and university level, and Muslim/Jewish relations.
• Partner with regional staff to grow the region’s fundraising base in the Detroit area including identifying prospective donors, and support developing opportunities to engage the community in meeting regional fundraising goals.
• Partner with regional staff to recruit, engage, and work with volunteer leadership.
• Participate in government affairs activities in collaboration with the Chicago office.
• Track relevant issues and provide regular updates to regional, divisional, and national staff. Identify opportunities for the region to strategically engage. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.   
• The ideal candidate has 5 or more years’ experience in program management, business development, fundraising and/or relationship cultivation. 
• Demonstrable experience convening groups, setting goals, and keeping groups on-task. 
• Previous work in a non-profit environment a plus.  
• Knowledge of the Detroit’s non-profit, faith based, foundation, and/or corporate communities a plus. 
• Strong verbal/written communication and presentation skills, including an ability to effectively communicate AJC’s mission, programs, and engagement opportunities with various stakeholders.  
• Highly organized, detailed, and goal oriented.   
• Entrepreneurial with strong collaboration.
• Problem-solving, thoughtful decision-making, and the ability to take initiative, be assertive and prioritize as needed for success.  
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of staff and work both independently and as part of a team.  
• Comfortable in working with colleagues in person and remotely across the country.   
• Working familiarity and comfort in database systems, including Raiser’s Edge, reporting, and analysis essential. Reasonable level of experience using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and comfort learning new technology.   

• AJC is a hybrid environment; this role may require 2 days in the office. 
• Interest in the mission of AJC a plus

Benefits:

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Medical, vision, and dental plans
• Flexible Spending Account options
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) - 15 vacation days per year, that increases with continued employment
• Paid Holidays (many Federal and major Jewish Holidays)
• 403(b) participation, after one year of employment
• Transit plan

AJC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The salary range for this position is $80,000 to $90,000, depending on relevant experience.

Please submit your application to:  https://ajchr.wufoo.com/forms/w12hqaxz1oj0iwj/