Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council- Hartford

Director Of The Jewish Community Relations Council

The Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council serves as the senior operating leader of the Federation's work to confront antisemitism, strengthen civic and interfaith relationships, advance public policy priorities, and protect Jewish life in schools, civic institutions, and public discourse across Greater Hartford.

Working closely with the Vice President of Impact & Strategy, President & CEO, Federation leadership, JCRC lay leaders, and community partners, the Director helps shape annual priorities and translates strategy into disciplined execution across advocacy, education, rapid response, coalition-building, and leadership readiness.

The Director serves as a trusted resource for public officials, education leaders, Jewish institutions, civic and faith partners, and, when appropriate, the media on antisemitism, Israel-related public discourse, Jewish communal concerns, and effective institutional response.

Reporting Relationship

Reports to: Vice President of Impact & Strategy

Supervises: Associate Director

Works closely with: President & CEO, VP Impact & Strategy, JCRC chair and leadership, Federation colleagues, and external partners

Core Responsibilities

1. Develop and coordinate implementation of JCRC's annual operating plan, strategic priorities, workplans, and measurable outcomes.

2. Oversee JCRC's antisemitism incident-response function, including intake oversight, case assessment, institutional advocacy, referral coordination, escalation recommendations, and follow-through.

3. Coordinate public affairs and legislative strategy with Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut (JFACT), including government relationships, policy monitoring, meetings, briefings, testimony, action alerts, candidate engagement, and coalition activity.

4. Build and steward strategic relationships with civic, faith, education, government, nonprofit, philanthropic, and community leaders.

5. Serve as a trusted subject-matter resource and represent the Federation in public, civic, government, educational, and communal settings.

6. Develop and coordinate public-facing materials, including talking points, testimony, issue briefs, public statements, institutional guidance, and response communications, in partnership with Federation leadership and communications staff.

7. Supervise JCRC staff and maintain clear workplans, decision rights, relationship mapping, dashboards, documentation, and follow-up systems.

8. Partner with JCRC lay leadership on agendas, board development, strategic decision-making, introductions, advocacy, and targeted volunteer activation.

9. Ensure that programs, partnerships, and convenings advance defined JCRC priorities, audiences, relationships, and outcomes rather than functioning as stand-alone events.

10. Document and communicate JCRC's impact and contribute programmatic content to grant proposals, donor reports, and funding opportunities in coordination with Federation leadership and development staff.

Qualifications

5 to 7 years of experience in advocacy, public affairs, Jewish communal leadership, education leadership, community relations, or a related field.

Demonstrated ability to navigate polarized political and communal environments with nuance, tact, and sound judgment.

Strong knowledge of contemporary antisemitism, anti-Zionism, Israel-related public discourse, hate and extremist movements, Jewish history and identity, and effective advocacy and response strategies.

Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex and emotionally charged issues clearly and credibly to diverse audiences.

Demonstrated success building coalitions, cultivating strategic partnerships, and working effectively with public officials, educators, clergy, institutional leaders, and volunteers.

Strong project and people-management skills, with the ability to establish disciplined systems, manage multiple priorities independently, and ensure consistent follow-through.

Collaborative, open-minded, and non-siloed leadership style.

Ability to remain calm, credible, responsive, and decisive under pressure.

Commitment to Jewish values, Jewish communal life, and the mission of the Federation.

Availability for evening and weekend responsibilities and local or regional travel.

Jewish Federations of North America