Director of Public Affairs and Community Relations

Position Summary

The Director of Public Affairs and Community Relations leads the Federation’s work in combating antisemitism, advancing Israel engagement, and building strong civic and intergroup relationships.

Working closely with the CEO and a committee of lay leaders, the Director will develop and implement a strategic public affairs agenda that includes:

Combating antisemitism
Strengthening relationships with K–16 educational institutions
Building partnerships with elected officials
Engaging in interfaith and cross-community outreach
Promoting understanding of and support for Israel

This role represents a strategic evolution beyond the traditional JCRC model, with a strong emphasis on clear communication, disciplined execution, collaboration, and systems that support effective and timely response.

This role operates in close partnership with the CEO and requires strong judgment in representing the Federation externally. The Director will support and help prepare senior leadership for high-level engagement, while also representing the organization in appropriate settings. Success in this role requires discretion, role clarity, and the ability to navigate external relationships in a way that reflects organizational priorities and leadership structure.

Key Responsibilities

Antisemitism Response and Public Affairs

Lead the Federation’s efforts to monitor, assess, and respond to antisemitism locally and beyond.
Develop coordinated strategies for addressing incidents in partnership with community leaders, institutions, and law enforcement where appropriate.
Serve as a central point of coordination for community response, ensuring a measured, strategic, and professional approach.
Track trends and proactively identify emerging issues impacting the Jewish community.

Communications and Messaging

Serve as a lead writer and strategist for public-facing communications related to antisemitism, Israel, and community relations.
Draft statements, talking points, briefings, op-eds, and correspondence.
Work closely with internal communications staff to ensure messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned with Federation priorities.
Support leadership in media engagement and help manage relationships with local media outlets.

Community Relations and Coalition Building

Build and sustain relationships between the Jewish community and diverse communities, faith leaders, civic organizations, and institutional partners.
Engage constructively with individuals and groups representing a broad range of perspectives.
Facilitate respectful dialogue and help navigate sensitive or complex community issues.
Strengthen community partnerships that advance mutual understanding and shared goals.

Government and Institutional Relations

Cultivate community relationships with elected officials and public sector leaders.
Partner with K–16 institutions to address antisemitism and support constructive engagement.
Represent the Federation in civic and policy-related settings as appropriate.

JCRC Leadership and Partnership

Serve as the professional lead and staff partner to the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), working in close collaboration with lay leadership.
Ensure the JCRC operates as a thoughtful, inclusive, and effective forum for community perspectives on public affairs issues.
Facilitate productive and respectful dialogue across a range of viewpoints, particularly on complex and sensitive issues.
Guide the work of the JCRC and its focus areas, including combating antisemitism, Israel engagement, interfaith outreach, K–16 partnerships, and government relations.
Translate community input into clear, strategic recommendations aligned with Federation priorities.
Maintain appropriate balance between professional leadership and volunteer engagement, ensuring both strong direction and meaningful participation.

Strategy, Prioritization, and Execution

Set clear priorities across multiple areas of responsibility and manage competing demands effectively.
Develop systems and processes for monitoring issues, coordinating responses, and tracking progress.
Maintain strong organization, follow-through, and accountability across all areas of work.
Ensure that work is aligned with Federation strategy and executed in a thoughtful and disciplined manner.
Manage the department budget and monitor expenses in alignment with organizational priorities.
Assist with fundraising efforts related to public affairs initiatives, in partnership with development staff, as appropriate.

Organizational Collaboration

Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Federation and JCC to integrate public affairs into broader organizational efforts.
Contribute to a team-oriented culture grounded in professionalism, respect, and shared mission.
Potentially supervise staff or consultants supporting public affairs work.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
Significant experience in public affairs, communications, community relations, government relations, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience addressing or responding to antisemitism or related community issues strongly preferred.
Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, thoughtful, and effective messaging. Prior press or communication experience preferred.
Strong political awareness and the ability to navigate complex and sensitive environments with sound judgment.
Demonstrated ability to build and sustain productive working relationships across organizations and teams.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, and stakeholders holding diverse viewpoints.
Strong computer and technology skills, including comfort with digital communication tools and platforms.
Demonstrated ability to operate both independently and in close partnership with senior leadership.

Personal Qualities

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

Integrity and a deep commitment to the Federation’s mission
Emotional maturity, professionalism, and sound judgment
The ability to remain calm, thoughtful, and constructive in complex or high-pressure situations
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
A collaborative, team-oriented approach
Respect for a broad range of perspectives and the ability to engage productively across differences
A disciplined, organized, and solutions-oriented work style
Ability to engage constructively with differing viewpoints without becoming reactive or dismissive
Demonstrates strong judgment in representing an organization externally, including understanding when to lead and when to support senior leadership