Executive Director, Government Affairs and Jewish Community Relations Council

JOB SUMMARY:

Oversee day-to-day operations of the Government Affairs and Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) teams. In coordination with relevant volunteer leaders, the Chief Public Affairs Officer and the JCRC and Government Affairs teams members, establish annual department goals and plans for meeting them. There will be an initial focus on reorganizing and reforming how JCRC operates as JUF’s community affairs arm and as the primary convener for Chicago’s Jewish communal organizations.

Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Objectives: As the only convening body for over 40 Jewish organizations in the Chicago area and the community relations arm of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Chicago, JCRC educates, coordinates, and mobilizes the community for action on issues of Jewish communal concern, with a special, though not exclusive, focus on combatting antisemitism and advocating for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship grounded in shared values.

Government Affairs Objectives: Maximizes governmental financial support for the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Chicago (JUF) and its affiliated agencies; strengthens laws impacting social service delivery, communal security, philanthropy and non-profit governance; supports the JCRC’s international and domestic public policy goals; engages elected officials and governmental employees in JUF activities and educates and engages community members in JUF’s public policy work, including combatting antisemitism and advocating for a strong and sustained U.S.-Israel relationship grounded in shared values.

This position reports to the Chief Public Affairs Officer and involves collaborating with and fostering professional growth of Department staff. The department consists of:

• Associate Vice President for Local Government Affairs
  • Local Government Affairs Program Associate
• Associate Vice President for State Government Affairs
  • Legislative Associate, State Government Affairs
• Assistant Vice President for Israel Advocacy and Outreach (JCRC)
• Public Affairs Communications and Digital Engagement Manager (JCRC)
• Administrative Assistant

PRINCIPAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND TASKS:

• Oversee Government Affairs and JCRC staff, budget, governance, collaboration, and work with volunteer leaders. Through advocacy and relationship building, impact public policy and inter-group relations. Utilize and build bipartisan and broad communal support for Jewish communal agenda.
• Help lead effort to reorganize and reform how JCRC operates and achieves its goals and objectives as JUF’s community affairs arm and the primary convener of Chicago’s organized Jewish community. Initially, there will be a significant focus on reorganizing and reforming how the JCRC operates, its goals, and its objectives.
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies both inside and outside of JUF and JCRC constituent member groups to advance those agendas. Oversee and plan successful committee meetings and community events, speak for JUF and community to the media, and speak and write for Jewish and non-Jewish audiences.
• Assist with crisis response and crisis management when relevant to the work of Government Affairs and JCRC.
• Monitor and track relevant federal legislation and coordinate federal advocacy with appropriate national and Washington, DC-based organizations that advocate on issues important to JUF and/or our partner agencies.
• Work in close coordination with JUF’s Hillels of Illinois, Israel Education Center, Marketing & Communications, and Planning and Allocations departments.
• Resource development: Development Officer for JUF Annual Campaign and other Financial Resource Development (fundraising) revenue streams. Directly supports JUF campaign integration on an as-needed basis in addition to mandatory campaign-related activities.
• Other tasks as assigned.
• Support JUF Campaign and mandatory campaign-related activities on an ongoing basis

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

• REQUIRED:
• 10-15 years professional experience in communal or government affairs.
• Must have knowledge of and experience with developing and leading public policy campaigns and working with diverse stakeholders/communities.
• Past experience supervising a team and working with board of lay leaders.
• Experience with public speaking in large and small groups.
• Published op-eds and other thought pieces on multiple platforms.
• Ability to be persuasive in presenting public policy initiatives.
• Ability to work effectively on a bipartisan basis.
• Possesses the ability to multi-task and consistently generate substantial productivity.
• Ability to work independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively and patiently engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside JUF.
• Excellent organizational, management, written, and oral communication skills.
• Dynamic and creative thought leader and solutions driver.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer software skills and use of technology, including in all Microsoft Office Suite of Products.
• PREFERRED:
• Degree in public administration, international affairs, political science, law, or other related field.
• Prior experience working with elected officials.
• Knowledge of Jewish community, culture, heritage, traditions and Jewish communal services preferred.

WHAT YOU'LL LOVE ABOUT US:

At JUF, you can be part of one of the largest non-profit social welfare institutions in Illinois. We provide food, refuge, healthcare, education, emergency assistance, and essential services to 500,000 Chicagoans of all faiths and millions of Jews around the world. We take pride in our mission and in having a work culture that fosters a sense of belonging and feels rewarding, supportive, and inclusive. We offer generous benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) match, professional training, tuition reimbursement, paid family leave, 22 days of paid time off, 11 sick days, and up to 21 paid holidays. We have a flexible schedule with core hours and the ability to work from home / remote a few days per week (for most positions) on a hybrid basis.

SALARY RANGE: $150,000-$175,000