Deputy Director, Jewish Community Relations Council

Department: Jewish Community Relations Council
Location: Miami, FL
Employment Type: Full-time / Exempt / Hybrid

Job Description Summary

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation seeks a strategic, relationship-driven and highly motivated professional to serve as Deputy Director of its Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC).

The JCRC serves as the public affairs and community relations arm of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, building relationships and coalitions that strengthen the Jewish community, combat antisemitism, deepen understanding of Israel and the Jewish people, and advance the Jewish community’s interests and values in the broader civic community.

The Deputy Director will serve as a senior operational lead of the JCRC team and a trusted strategic partner in advancing this work. They will manage a significant portfolio while working with the Vice President of External Affairs to translate strategic priorities into staff assignments, timelines and deliverables, coordinate workflow across the team, monitor progress, and ensure consistent execution and follow through. They will be expected to exercise significant independent judgment and represent the Federation with elected officials, faith and civic leaders, educational institutions, community organizations and other stakeholders.

Miami-Dade County is home to one of the largest, most diverse and fastest-growing Jewish communities in the United States. The community exists within a dynamic civic environment at the intersection of local, statewide, national and international issues. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment and will possess the judgment, intellectual curiosity and interpersonal skills necessary to build meaningful relationships across political, religious, ethnic and cultural differences both within and outside the Jewish community.

The JCRC Deputy Director reports to the Vice President of External Affairs.

Join us to build a long-term, rewarding, and fulfilling career!

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior strategic partner to the Vice President of External Affairs in developing and implementing the JCRC’s priorities, programs, advocacy agenda and external engagement strategy.
• Manage a significant portfolio of internal and external relationships, including elected officials and government partners at the local, state and federal levels, as well as faith, ethnic, cultural and civic leaders and organizations; maintain and deepen key relationships, identify new partnership and coalition-building opportunities, coordinate meetings and briefings, develop joint programs and initiatives, and advance JCRC advocacy and community-relations priorities.
• Expand the JCRC’s bridge-building and coalition-building capabilities, with particular emphasis on developing meaningful relationships with Spanish-speaking non-Jewish community leaders and identifying new communities and constituencies with whom the Federation should engage.
• Broaden the JCRC’s external reach and influence by strengthening relationships with local and national journalists, identifying opportunities for proactive media engagement, and cultivating relationships with digital influencers and other voices who can help deepen understanding of antisemitism, Israel and the Jewish community.
• Help shape and execute JCRC messaging and communications across traditional and digital platforms, ensuring that complex and sensitive issues are communicated accurately, strategically and effectively to audiences with varying levels of knowledge and differing perspectives.
• Oversee key aspects of the JCRC’s day-to-day operations, translating strategic priorities into staff assignments, timelines and deliverables; coordinating workflow across the team; monitoring progress; and ensuring consistent execution and follow-through; and assuming increasing leadership responsibility as familiarity with JCRC, Federation and community grows.
• Directly supervise assigned JCRC professional staff, including setting priorities and expectations, providing regular feedback and coaching, monitoring performance and supporting professional development.
• Develop and track meaningful metrics and key performance indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of JCRC programs, relationships and initiatives; use data and analysis to inform strategy, strengthen decision-making and demonstrate impact to Federation leadership, donors, foundations, elected officials and community partners.
• Identify emerging opportunities, challenges and trends affecting the Jewish community and recommend proactive strategies for addressing them.
• Help lead the JCRC’s response to emerging community issues and crises, working across Federation departments and with external partners to coordinate strategy, communications and action.
• Help guide JCRC efforts to prevent, address and respond to antisemitism and anti-Jewish bias, including developing proactive strategies that deepen understanding of antisemitism, strengthen alliances and build resilience within the Jewish community.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of Israel, Israeli society, the U.S.-Israel relationship and developments affecting Israel and the Jewish people, and serve as a knowledgeable resource for Federation leadership, community partners and external stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships with JCRC lay leaders, Federation volunteers and donors, and partner with them to advance strategic priorities, strengthen committee and task-force engagement, and cultivate emerging leaders who can expand the JCRC’s reach within the Jewish and broader communities.
• Represent the Federation at meetings, public programs, community events, coalitions and other external forums, including speaking publicly on behalf of the JCRC when appropriate.
• Take ownership of special projects and emerging priorities as assigned by the Vice President of External Affairs.

Qualification & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience in community relations, government affairs, public policy, advocacy, Jewish communal service, nonprofit leadership, education, external affairs or a related field.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills and demonstrated ability to establish trust with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Strong knowledge of Jewish communal issues and a demonstrated commitment to Jewish community and Israel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complicated or sensitive issues clearly and persuasively.
• Strong political and interpersonal judgment and the ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, complex environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple substantive projects and relationships simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently, exercise initiative and take ownership of significant areas of responsibility.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills with consistent attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to work collaboratively with professional colleagues, senior leadership and volunteer leaders.
• Comfort with public speaking and representing an organization externally.
• Willingness to attend occasional evening and weekend programs and travel as required.
• Spanish language proficiency strongly preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

The Salary range: $110,000 - $125,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Group life insurance
• 401(a) & 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and 13–21 paid holidays annually
• Parental leave benefit
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
• Professional development opportunities
• A collaborative, mission-driven work environment

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

This is a sedentary role; Physical requirement of being able to lift 15 pounds at times. The position primarily involves working at a desk, sitting for extended periods while using a computer, phone, or other digital devices.

Equal Opportunity Statement

As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation celebrates and welcomes people of all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, pregnancy, genetic information, ancestry, citizenship status, veteran status, actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at [email protected].

About The Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Since 1938, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation has been a unifying force for Jewish community-building and philanthropy. We work to enrich the quality of Jewish life in Miami-Dade County by bringing comfort and hope to the vulnerable and by investing in programs that build Jewish knowledge, identity and peoplehood ensuring the next generation of Jews.

The Annual Federation Campaign raises tens of millions of dollars each year to fund agencies locally including Jewish day schools, synagogue religious schools and Jewish community centers, as well as numerous social-service programs to care for those in need in Miami.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation is always looking for dedicated professionals who share our values.

Thank you for considering a career with The Greater Miami Jewish Federation!

Application Process

Please submit your resume to [email protected]