Director of Community and Government Relations

Job Description

Job Description

WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

You will be responsible for leading two impactful teams: Government Affairs and Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC). You will oversee their day-to-day operations, strategy, and collaboration. In this high-profile role, you’ll drive bipartisan advocacy, shape public policy, and strengthen intergroup relations. You'll work closely with internal departments and external partners, engage with media and diverse audiences, monitor federal legislation, manage crisis response, and contribute to fundraising efforts. This is a unique opportunity to influence change at the intersection of community, politics, and philanthropy. Additionally, 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.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

• STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND POLICY ADVOCACY: 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.
• JCRC OPERATIONS AND REORGANIZATION: 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.
• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Work collaboratively with partner agencies both inside and outside of JUF and JCRC constituent member groups to advance JUF’s and JCRC’s agendas. Oversee and plan successful committee meetings and community events.
• CRISIS MANAGEMENT: 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, JCRC, and/or our partner agencies.
• COLLABORATION: Work in close coordination with JUF’s Hillels of Illinois, Israel Education Center, Marketing & Communications, and Planning and Allocations departments.
• RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT: Support JUF campaign activities as needed, while also assisting with mandatory campaign-related activities.
• Other tasks as assigned.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

• REQUIRED:

• • Minimum 10 years’ professional experience in communal or government affairs.
  • Prior engagement with and knowledge of Jewish communal ecosystem.
  • Experience developing and leading public policy campaigns and working with diverse stakeholders/communities.
  • Past experience supervising a team and working with volunteer leaders.
  • Skilled at public speaking in large and small groups and the ability to be persuasive in presenting public policy initiatives.
  • Ability to work effectively on a bipartisan basis.
  • Dynamic and creative thought leader and solutions driver.
  • Excellent organizational, management, written, and oral communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, strong computer and technology skills, and ability to multi-task and consistently generate substantial productivity.
  • Team player who will productively and patiently engage with others at varying levels of seniority and able to successfully work independently.

• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Degree in relevant field (public administration, international affairs, political science, law, etc.)
• Experience working with elected officials.
• Knowledge of Jewish community, culture, heritage, traditions, and Jewish communal services.

OBJECTIVES OF THE TWO TEAMS:

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.

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 a few days per week on a hybrid basis. We are in the office on Tuesdays-Thursdays and remote on Mondays and Fridays.

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