Director, Strategic Initiatives

Director, Strategic Initiatives

The Director, Strategic Initiatives partners with the Managing Director, Community Relations and External Affairs to advance the Federation's strategic external affairs priorities. This role focuses on building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders beyond the Jewish community; developing strategies to combat antisemitism and advance Jewish communal interests; implementing community mapping and outreach efforts; supporting advocacy, coalition-building, and public engagement; and helping activate the broader Jewish community and allies.

This position is full-time and reports to the Managing Director, Community Relations and External Affairs.

Essential Job Functions

1. Develop and implement strategies that advance the Federation's external affairs priorities, with a specific focus on building and strengthening relationships and engagement efforts within corporate environments, unions, and professional associations, and informing community members about these engagement efforts.
2. Support existing efforts to build and maintain collaborative relationships with civic, business, faith, nonprofit, and government leaders, as well as other stakeholders beyond the Jewish community.
3. Lead community mapping efforts to identify important stakeholders, institutions of influence, existing relationships, gaps in engagement, and opportunities for strategic outreach across priority sectors.
4. Design and support programs, trainings, convenings, and outreach efforts that educate diverse audiences about Judaism, antisemitism, Israel, and related community concerns.
5. Provide professional leadership and subject matter expertise to the Community Relations Committee (CRC) and its subcommittees.
6. Plan and execute programs and events, working collaboratively with volunteer leadership.
7. Support advocacy and rapid response efforts by preparing background materials, talking points, correspondence, and presentations, and by helping activate community members and allies when appropriate.
8. Represent the Federation in meetings, public forums, coalitions, and community events, and staff relevant committees or task forces.
9. Track activity and outcomes, maintain records, and perform other duties as assigned in support of the Federation's mission and evolving external affairs priorities.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

1. 10% of the position is allocated to an annual Campaign assignment; this may include, but is not limited to, providing staff support to a group of Campaign volunteers, planning and executing a specific Campaign strategy, and participating in regular Campaign meetings and events, as determined by the Campaign Director.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

1. Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work effectively with diverse viewpoints and audiences within and outside of the Jewish community.
2. Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
3. Demonstrated skills in project management, strategic thinking, multitasking, relationship building, and problem solving.
4. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-based, mission-driven environment.
5. Strong knowledge, understanding, and experience with Israel, antisemitism, and the Jewish community, culture, and traditions is required.
6. Demonstrated ability to engage and collaborate across multiple sectors, including workplaces and professional associations, media, government, interfaith and intergroup spaces, and community-based organizations.
7. Knowledge of Cleveland community organizations and non-profit, community based and faith-based organizations is helpful.
8. Possess a passionate commitment to the Jewish community and understanding of relevant current affairs and public policy issues.

Education, Training and/or Experience

1. Bachelor's degree in a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
2. 5+ years of experience in community relations, public affairs, government relations, advocacy, nonprofit leadership, communications, or a related field preferred.
3. Experience with stakeholder mapping, community landscape analysis, or strategic outreach planning is highly desirable.
4. Familiarity with issues affecting Jewish employees, media narratives, public policy, intergroup relations, and community security is strongly preferred.
5. Experience working with volunteer leadership, coalitions, or community-based organizations is highly desirable.

About The Federation

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland is the only organization in Cleveland that focuses on the health and vitality of the entire Jewish community. For more than 120 years, the Federation has created the critical scale necessary to drive meaningful social change and provide relief in times of crisis in ways no one person or organization could do alone. As Jewish Cleveland's hub for innovative solutions and collaborative services, the Federation is able to change and improve lives in Cleveland, Israel, and around the world.