Manager, Civic & Community Engagement
Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey
Department: Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC)
Reports to: Director, JCRC
Status: Full-time Non-Exempt Position
Location: Northern New Jersey
Background info:
Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey is a non-profit philanthropic organization dedicated to creating a vibrant Jewish community in northern New Jersey. Federation cares for those in need, deepens engagement in Jewish life, and strengthens the bonds among Jews in northern New Jersey, in Israel, and around the world. Its primary functions are community planning and allocations, financial resource development, and leadership development.
Position Summary:
The Manager of Civic & Community Engagement will represent and support the work of the Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC) by setting strategic goals and fostering meaningful relationships with key leaders, representatives, and organizations in the Jewish community and the broader (non-Jewish) northern New Jersey community. This position will focus on building relationships with other community groups so we can find common ground and respect with other racial, ethnic, religious, and LGBTQ groups in our community. The goal will be to work with these groups to positively affect and reduce antisemitic and anti-Israel sentiments and activities in our community. In addition, the Manager of Civic & Community Engagement will serve as a key lead in addressing issues of antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiments and activities through education and mediation with local leaders, school administrations, and elected officials.
The ideal candidate will bring experience and skills in community organizing, fighting antisemitism, and connecting with other communities.
Key Responsibilities:
• Civic & Community Engagement
o Build relationships, develop partnerships with key leaders in other, non-Jewish, community groups, (including racial, ethnic, faith-based, LGBTQ communities, and more) with the goal of finding common cause to address together.
o Represent and speak on behalf of JCRC at events, programs, and engagements.
o Support internal and external JCRC events.
o Step in for the JCRC Director, when the Director is unavailable, including running convenings, speaking with media, attending high-level meetings, etc.
• Crisis Management
o Serve as a lead member of the JCRC’s crisis response team, responding to local incidents of antisemitism, including constituent support and coaching, education and training, and public engagement.
• JCRC Lay Leader Partnership
o Assist in staffing JCRC committee and subgroups. Responsibilities include:
? Setting annual goals, filling vacant committee positions (as outlined by the by-laws);
? Ensuring committee members have a positive experience;
? Responding to concerns/questions/ideas from committee members, community, and Jewish professionals, ideating and helping execute on any relevant work;
? Ensuring the Chairs are effectively leading the committee’s work;
? Managing committee communications and logistics, and executing resulting initiatives/events.
• Strategy and Operations
o In partnership with the Director, help the JCRC set strategic annual objectives and build out tactics, actively manage the department’s workflow, and assist with prioritizing initiatives, programs, and events.
o Create, promote, and implement community programs, speakers, and activities that fall under the priorities of the JCRC.
• Other
o Work with development staff to provide content for fundraising events, communications, and other programs.
Qualifications and Skills:
• Bachelor’s Degree in related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2-4 years’ experience in community relations, community organizing, government relations, social action, and/or Jewish community service.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, motivate, lead, and relate effectively to a wide variety of volunteers and professionals from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with demonstrated capacity to present complex information in clear and concise ways and craft persuasive messages for diverse audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build consensus.
• Excellent understanding of issues relating to antisemitism; familiarity with national and regional organizations and initiatives that combat antisemitism.
• Familiarity with Israel and issues related to Israel advocacy.
• Proven track record of strong follow-through skills, the ability to anticipate, identify, analyze, and solve problems independently.
• Ability to work closely with others in a team environment, and effectively interact with all levels of management, community leaders, donors, and volunteers.
• Strong organizational and project management skills and ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Adaptability and flexibility; able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional demeanor and ability to handle all situations in a calm manner.
• High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential, sensitive issues with diplomacy and discretion.
• Local travel required, as well as availability to work occasional nights and Sundays.
• Working knowledge of the northern New Jersey Jewish community and/or legislators a plus.
• Strong personal commitment to the mission of Federation.
• Experience and comfort in Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Please send Cover Letter & Resume to: [email protected]
Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey prohibits discrimination based on the following protected categories: race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex/gender (including pregnancy), marital status, civil status, domestic partnership status, familial status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or disability.