Jewish Federations of North America is pleased to work with DRG to conduct this search.
Background
The Jewish Federations of North America ("JFNA") consist of 146 Jewish Federations and dozens of Network communities which collectively raise and distribute more than $3 billion annually to support flourishing Jewish life and the needs of the Jewish people in their home communities and around the world. The Jewish Federation system, among the top 10 charities on the continent, leads the largest network of volunteer and professional leaders who build and sustain Jewish communities that are healthy, safe, caring, welcoming and inclusive, educated and engaged, involved in the broader community, and deeply connected to Israel and the global Jewish people.
Position
The Jewish Federations of North America is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Vice President for Government Relations to lead its government relations strategy, shape public policy, and advocate for the interests of the Jewish community within the United States and globally. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned professional with a strong background in government relations, a deep understanding of legislative and regulatory processes, and a passion for advocating on behalf of the Jewish community. This is a public-facing leadership position that will represent JFNA in Congress, with the Administration, with relevant government agencies and throughout the Federation system and with its partners. JFNA seeks an executive who will excel at building its presence and expanding programming in Washington. The Senior Vice President is a member of the JFNA Leadership Team.
Responsibilities
Government Relations Strategy: Develop and execute comprehensive government relations strategies that advance the mission and objectives of JFNA, ensuring effective advocacy at the local, state, federal, and international levels.
Policy Advocacy: Monitor, analyze, and communicate the impact of legislative and regulatory proposals on the Jewish community, providing strategic guidance and recommendations to the executive leadership and relevant stakeholders. Cultivate and maintain relationships with key government officials, agencies, and relevant stakeholders to promote JFNA's priorities and advance the organization's interests in the public policy arena.
Stakeholder Engagement: Grow programs which create opportunities for volunteer leaders from across the country to travel to Washington to advocate for issues affecting the Federation system and the Jewish community. JFNA’s Advocacy Corp, Fly-IN programs and Washington conferences have been revitalized and are expanding.
Legislative Affairs: Lead efforts to draft, review, and influence legislation, as well as coordinate with external counsel and consultants on legal and policy matters related to the Jewish community's interests.
Communication and Education: Develop and implement strategies for effectively communicating JFNA's policy positions to internal and external stakeholders, including developing educational materials, issue briefs, and policy papers.
Budget and Staff Management: Lead the Government Affairs twelve person, Washington based team. Recruit, motivate and deploy talented professionals to achieve the department's goals. Oversee the budget and resource allocation for the Government Affairs department, ensuring the efficient and effective use of resources in support of advocacy initiatives and priorities.
Coalition Building: Collaborate with colleagues throughout JFNA, other advocacy organizations, community partners, and stakeholders to build coalitions and alliances that amplify the collective voice and influence of the Jewish community on critical issues.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of 10+ years of relevant experience in government relations, public policy, or advocacy, preferably in a non-profit or communal organization setting.
- Strong understanding of the legislative process and a proven track record of successful advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and partner organizations.
- Experience in working with volunteer leaders and committees.
- Demonstrated leadership and management skills, with the ability to lead and inspire a team of professionals and drive results in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
- Deep commitment to the mission and values of JFNA and a strong understanding of the issues facing the Jewish community both domestically and internationally.
- Ability to travel as needed and work flexible hours to accommodate advocacy and legislative activities.
Compensation and benefits
The salary range for this position is $250,000 - $300,000.
JFNA offers a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, FSA), including a defined contribution plan, generous vacation policy, paid legal and Jewish holidays, life insurance, generous parental leave policies, and flexible remote work practices. Our compensation philosophy strives to be externally competitive and internally fair. Additionally, we offer voluntary learning programs throughout the year in subjects of interest to our staff.
This position description is based upon material provided by the Jewish Federations of North America, an equal opportunity employer. The Jewish Federations of North America values diversity in the workplace. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
