Director of Civic & Community Affairs - Charleston

Director of Civic & Community Affairs 

Education. Civic Engagement. Combating Antisemitism. 

About the Jewish Federation of Greater Charleston 

The Jewish Federation of Greater Charleston brings people together to build, strengthen, and sustain Jewish life throughout our community, in Israel, and around the world. 

As the community's convener, connector, and catalyst, Federation invests in people, partnerships, philanthropy, education, security, and community engagement to ensure Jewish life continues to thrive for generations to come. We strengthen Jewish life by bringing people together, investing in our community, building meaningful partnerships, and advocating for the needs and interests of the Jewish community. 

As Greater Charleston continues to grow, so does the opportunity—and responsibility—to strengthen relationships across our broader community, expand education and understanding, combat antisemitism, and ensure that the Jewish community has a strong and trusted voice. 

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape an increasingly important area of Federation's work. This role is designed for a talented relationship-builder who is excited to develop partnerships, strengthen civic engagement, expand key educational initiatives, and help build Federation's capacity to combat antisemitism and represent the Jewish community. 

Why Charleston? 

Charleston offers the rare opportunity to build a meaningful career while enjoying an exceptional quality of life. 

Rich in history, culture, and coastal beauty, Charleston is home to one of America's oldest Jewish communities and one of its fastest growing. The Greater Charleston Jewish community is welcoming, collaborative, and increasingly diverse, spanning historic downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, Summerville, Johns Island, and the surrounding Lowcountry. 

Joining the Jewish Federation of Greater Charleston means becoming part of an organization that is investing in the future of Jewish life through innovation, collaboration, education, security, and community-building. 

Position Summary 

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of Civic & Community Affairs will lead Federation's growing work at the intersection of education, civic engagement, and combating antisemitism. 

This is a relationship-centered role focused on building the partnerships, programs, and community infrastructure necessary to strengthen understanding of Jewish life, respond effectively to antisemitism, and ensure the Jewish community has a strong and trusted voice in the broader community. 

Working closely with the CEO and lay leadership, the Director will develop relationships with educators, schools and universities, elected officials, civic and faith leaders, nonprofit organizations, Jewish communal partners, and other community stakeholders. The Director will also help build and engage a strong network of lay leaders and volunteers who can extend Federation's reach and impact across each area of the portfolio. 

The Director will work collaboratively with the Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement and other Federation staff to ensure strong coordination across community engagement, programs, communications, and shared initiatives. 

The Director will also lead key community-wide commemorations and celebrations in partnership with lay leaders, Jewish organizations, synagogues, and community partners, including Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom Ha'atzmaut. 

Based in Charleston, the position will focus primarily on Greater Charleston and Coastal South Carolina, with statewide and national collaboration as appropriate.  

This is both a relationship-building and execution role. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable developing long-term strategy, building relationships, creating and implementing programs, supporting advocacy, responding to emerging issues, and ensuring strong follow-through. 

Primary Responsibilities 

Education 

Strengthen Federation's educational initiatives and partnerships that increase understanding of Jewish life, Jewish history, Israel, and antisemitism. 

• Build and maintain relationships with K–12 schools, educators, administrators, universities, students, and educational partners, connecting them with credible resources, speakers, training, and educational tools. 

• Strengthen and expand Federation's educational initiatives, including Holocaust education, the Speakers Bureau, and Student to Student.  

• Identify and respond to emerging educational needs related to Jewish life, history and heritage, Israel, and antisemitism, developing relevant resources and programming as appropriate. 

Civic Engagement 

Strengthen Federation's relationships and presence throughout the broader community and help ensure that Jewish perspectives and priorities are represented in civic and public life. 

• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with elected officials, civic and faith leaders, educators, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and other community stakeholders, developing sustained partnerships that deepen trust, understanding, and collaboration. 

• Represent Federation at community meetings, civic gatherings, coalitions, and other external forums, helping build Federation's public affairs and advocacy capacity, including monitoring relevant legislative and policy developments and supporting appropriate advocacy efforts. 

• Coordinate with the Jewish Federations of North America and other Jewish communal partners on relevant local, state, and national issues. 

• Identify opportunities for Federation to convene, educate, advocate, and build bridges across communities by engaging lay leaders and volunteers in civic relationships, advocacy, and community representation, providing the information and support necessary for them to be effective partners in the work. 

Combating Antisemitism 

Help lead a coordinated Federation approach to preventing, addressing, and responding to antisemitism through education, partnerships, advocacy, and community action. 

• Monitor trends, incidents, and emerging issues related to antisemitism and help translate them into thoughtful local action while developing proactive initiatives that increase awareness and understanding of contemporary antisemitism and strengthen community resilience. 

• Build relationships and partnerships that strengthen the community's ability to recognize, understand, prevent, and respond to antisemitism. 

• Work closely with the CEO, Secure Community Network (SCN), educators, Jewish institutions, national partners, and other stakeholders to coordinate community-facing responses, education, communications, and resources related to antisemitism, in coordination with SCN on matters involving security. 

• Support timely communication, stakeholder outreach, education, and follow-up when antisemitic incidents or other significant community concerns arise. 

• Connect community members and institutions with credible information, expertise, and resources. 

• Engage and equip lay leaders to serve as informed and effective ambassadors for the Jewish community. 

Qualifications 

The ideal candidate is an energetic and thoughtful relationship builder who combines warmth with professionalism, initiative with accountability, and strategic thinking with disciplined execution. 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience. 

• Three or more years of relevant professional experience in community engagement, education, public affairs, advocacy, nonprofit leadership, Jewish communal service, higher education, or another relationship-driven field. 

• Demonstrated success building authentic relationships with diverse stakeholders. 

• Experience working with educators, schools, universities, elected officials, civic organizations, nonprofits, volunteers, or community organizations is highly desirable. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Demonstrated strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail. 

• Sound judgment and the ability to navigate complex, sensitive, or rapidly evolving issues. 

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, mission-driven environment. 

• Familiarity with Jewish communal life, Israel, contemporary antisemitism, and/or Holocaust education is preferred; a commitment to developing knowledge and expertise in these areas is essential. 

• Willingness to attend occasional evening and weekend programs and travel within South Carolina as needed. 

Core Competencies 

The successful candidate will demonstrate: 

• Relationship Building: Builds authentic relationships that inspire trust, collaboration, and long-term partnership. 

• Initiative & Ownership: Identifies opportunities, takes ownership, and follows through with excellence. 

• Professional Judgment & Maturity: Navigates ambiguity, sensitive issues, and differing perspectives thoughtfully and confidently. 

• Strategic Thinking & Execution: Sees the bigger picture while translating strategy into practical action and measurable results. 

• Communication & Influence: Communicates with clarity, warmth, diplomacy, and professionalism while representing Federation with credibility. 

• Coalition Building: Brings people and organizations together and turns relationships into meaningful collaboration. 

• Organization & Follow-Through: Manages multiple priorities and relationships while maintaining strong attention to detail and accountability. 

• Resilience & Adaptability: Remains composed and effective in a dynamic and sometimes rapidly changing environment. 

Our Culture 

At the Jewish Federation of Greater Charleston, we believe strong communities are built by working together. We are relationship-driven, collaborative, entrepreneurial, and committed to excellence and accountability. 

Jewish communal work is meaningful, dynamic, and often complex. Success requires thoughtful judgment, adaptability, resilience, and the ability to navigate competing priorities, multiple perspectives, and diverse stakeholder relationships while keeping our mission at the center of every decision. 

We hold ourselves to high standards, work collaboratively, continually learn and improve, and recognize that every interaction is an opportunity to strengthen our community. 

What Success Looks Like 

Within the first 12–18 months, the Director will have begun building the relationships, partnerships, programs, and lay leadership infrastructure necessary for Federation to have a stronger and more coordinated presence in education, civic engagement, and combating antisemitism. 

Success will be demonstrated by: 

• Building trusted relationships with educators, school and university leaders, elected officials, civic and faith leaders, and community partners. 

• Strengthening and expanding Student to Student, Holocaust education, the Speakers Bureau, and educator engagement. 

• Establishing a consistent Federation presence within key civic, educational, interfaith, and public-sector networks. 

• Developing meaningful partnerships that increase understanding of Jewish life, Israel, and antisemitism. 

• Building and engaging a lay leadership structure that expands Federation's capacity for civic engagement, advocacy, education, and community response. 

• Strengthening Federation's ability to identify, address, and respond thoughtfully to antisemitism and other emerging concerns affecting the Jewish community. 

• Developing a more coordinated approach to public affairs and advocacy in partnership with Federation leadership and JFNA. 

• Creating effective systems to track relationships, initiatives, follow-up, and impact. 

• Becoming a visible, trusted, and credible representative of the Jewish Federation and Jewish community throughout Greater Charleston and the broader region. 

Compensation & Benefits 

The salary range for this position is $70,000–$80,000, commensurate with experience. 

The Jewish Federation of Greater Charleston is committed to investing in its people and fostering a culture where talented professionals can grow and thrive. 

The successful candidate will receive ongoing professional development opportunities, mentoring, and access to the extensive learning resources available through the Jewish Federation system. 

Benefits include: 

• Retirement savings plan with up to a 3% employer match 

• Generous paid time off, including Jewish holidays 

• Professional development and continuing education support 

• Flexible work arrangements, where appropriate 

• Opportunity to help shape a growing organization and make a lasting impact on Jewish life 

As part of the Federation's long-term organizational strategy, we are actively working toward expanding our employee benefits package, including employer-sponsored health insurance, as the organization continues to grow. 

To Apply 

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to Tair Giudice, Chief Executive Officer, at [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.