Mersky, Jaffe & Associates, a national executive search and consulting firm, has been engaged to conduct a search for the first Executive Director of the Soviet Jewry Movement Archives Project.

The Soviet Jewry Movement in North America began as a grassroots effort to address the plight of Jews in the USSR. It was started by a small collective of individuals whose efforts influenced nations. Begun in the early 1960s by activists—first in Cleveland, then in New York City, and ultimately nationwide and beyond—the Movement helped change policies that held Jews captive against their will, denigrated their religion, and eliminated access to their heritage and culture.

Today, the Soviet Jewry Movement Archives Project (“SJMAP”) seeks to ensure that one of the most momentous events in Jewish history will be preserved as a source of inspiration and pride for all. It is the history of the power of grassroots activism.

The mission of the SJMAP is to help document and preserve the history of the grassroots Soviet Jewry Movement in North America.

Position Overview

SJMAP is a startup organization. It is seeking an Executive Director to take the lead in creating the organization’s foundation and infrastructure. Reporting to the Board Chair, the Executive Director will work closely with the Executive Committee and Board of Directors who have cultivated the vision for an archival project that will aggregate and disseminate the story of the Soviet Jewish Movement (1960s to 1990s). This position is an extraordinary opportunity to delve deeply into this historical phenomenon. The position is an extraordinary opportunity to delve deeply into this historical phenomenon, embed this chapter into the historical narrative, and inspire future activism.

Central to the Executive Director’s role will be responsibility for soliciting gifts from qualified donors, providing meaningful touchpoints for philanthropic engagement, and developing creative and effective programmatic activities for fundraising and development. Compensation for this position is contemplated to begin at $125,000.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership.
• Develop the organization’s strategic plan in collaboration with the Executive Board and the Board of Directors
• Lead the execution of the strategic plan including the creation and management of yearlong work plans to this end.

Fundraising

• Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising plans for current operations, sustainability and growth.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with major donors, grant makers, and
• Oversee grant writing and reporting

Financial Management

• Oversee SJMAP’s financial resources and its annual budget
• Ensure financial sustainability and accountability through prudent fiscal management and reporting.
• Oversee financial audits and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Staff and Volunteer Management

• Develop a cadre of staff and volunteers for conducting the work of the organization.
• Support and manage staff and volunteers.
• Maintain a positive work culture.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and address issues as needed.

Operational Management

• Develop and oversee the implementation of business plans for achieving annual goals for SJMAP.
• Establish and oversee effective protocols and procedures for regular operations, both technical (SJMAP website and hub) and educational (curricula, programs, and creative uses of the archived materials).
• Assess systems, projects, and programs to continuously improve and innovate.
• Ensure high-quality services and products.

Rescue, Preservation, Accessibility through Archival Hub

• Grow the SJMAP’s Archival Hub’s connections, content, and accessibility.
• Develop and oversee the rescue and preservation of materials.
• Facilitate the document and material donation process with appropriate archival homes.
• Build relations, formalize agreements, and manage processes with archival organizations for digitization and linkage to SJMAP’s Archival Hub.

Educational Resources and Program Development

• Develop and oversee the implementation of programs and initiatives that support the organization’s mission.
• Assist in the crafting of an education and program strategy.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop educational materials, initiatives and programs that inspire a broad range of learners.
• Monitor and assess programs and educational resources and initiatives.
• Continually seek out new and engaging educational and programmatic strategies.

Community Engagement and Outreach

• Foster partnerships with educational institutions, historical societies, and other relevant organizations.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the organization, articulating its mission, vision, and goals to stakeholders and the public.
• Drive the effort to increase public awareness of and engagement with SJMAP and its archives and programs.
• Develop and implement a communications plan for all initiatives, the Archival Hub/website, and programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in history, education, library science, archival studies, nonprofit management, or a related field (master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership role within a non-profit setting.
• Strong skills in organization planning, fundraising, budgeting, and financial oversight.
• Successful experience working with a board of directors.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication
• Team player who values collaboration and partnerships.
• Knowledge of archival practices and standards a plus
• Knowledge of the history of Soviet Jewry and/or Soviet Jewry movement, interest in education and activism a plus.

Working Conditions of Employment

This is a 100% remote position. Work may on occasion require more than 35 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position.

SJMAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding equal employment opportunities. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

Mersky, Jaffe & Associates is proud of its association with Soviet Jewry Movement Archives Project and to be conducting the search for its Executive Director. If you, or someone you know, might be a suitable candidate for this position, please forward, in confidence, the person’s name, cover letter, resume, salary requirements and contact information to Katie Moreland at [email protected].