Director, K-12 and Campus Affairs

About the Director, K-12 and Campus Affairs position:

The Director, K-12 and Campus Affairs is responsible for building and strengthening long-term relationships with educational leaders at local K-12 schools, colleges, and universities, and leading efforts to combat antisemitism in these spaces. In this capacity, the Director, K-12 and Campus Affairs will be responsible for serving on the External Affairs team, working closely with the Community Relations Committee and Government Relations Committee, and representing the Jewish community to the general community.

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

Essential Job Functions:

1. Position the Jewish Federation of Cleveland as a convener for, and expand, the Cleveland Jewish community’s work in K-12 schools, colleges, and universities.
2. Serve as a resource on K-12 and college/university issues and activities to Federation stakeholders, including volunteer leadership and others.
3. Assess the current climate and develop a roadmap to proactively combat antisemitism locally in K-12 schools, colleges, and universities.
4. Implement and scale the Federation’s plan to combat antisemitism in K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. Assist in the execution of strategy, tactics, and partnerships to move forward these efforts.
5. Support appropriate community involvement on campus that is relevant and beneficial to the lived experience and needs of Jewish students, faculty, and staff.
6. Develop and maintain relationships within the general and Jewish community, teaching educational leaders about Cleveland’s Jewish community, Jewish identity, antisemitism, how antisemitism may manifest in schools and on campus, religious accommodations, and Middle East issues, among other topics.
7. Amplify relationships with staff and faculty, college and university administrators, faculty, staff, and other relevant stakeholders such as student affairs professionals and interfaith partners across Greater Cleveland’s K-12 schools and campuses.
8. Collaborate with and convene beneficiary agencies, including JEC, Cleveland Hillel, and Hillel at Kent State University, as well as other Jewish organizations that work at K-12 schools and on campus.
9. Convene faculty, staff, college/university students, and parents of K-12 students around issues of antisemitism and anti-Zionism, working closely with partners.
10. Assist in the formation of, and provide resources and support to, Jewish Employee Resource Groups at local schools, colleges, and universities.
11. Consult with lay leaders and key stakeholders who are active in the education space to guide work.
12. Manage the Campus Partner Fellows program, which builds meaningful relationships with influential campus student groups, in collaboration with staff at Cleveland Hillel and Hillel at Kent State University, disrupting antisemitism through education and relational organizing.
13. Organize professional development opportunities, including an annual Education Leaders Summit for area public, independent, and parochial school leaders across the region, focusing on issues of Jewish concern and working closely with relevant lay leaders and partners.
14. Working with others, develop and implement political and media strategies to improve campus climate.
15. As needed, participate and contribute to other External Affairs (CRC and GRC) priorities, relationship building and advocacy work.
16. Seek and submit grants to advance the goals of this position.

Additional Duties and 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. Creative and strategic thinker. Demonstrated success implementing short- and long-term strategic activities and tasks with clear goals, objectives and measurement tools.
2. Passion for engaging educational leaders in shaping and advancing effective advocacy.
3. Knowledge of today’s school and campus climate.
4. Knowledge of current affairs topics of interest to the Jewish community, including antisemitism and Israel.
5. Possess a passionate commitment to the Jewish community and relevant public policy issues.
6. Strong knowledge and understanding of Jewish practices, customs, history, and community infrastructure.
7. Excellent written communications skills.
8. Ability to manage project/program budgets and timelines.
9. Ability to set priorities and handle multiple tasks and strong organizational skills.
10. Ability to work irregular hours, including periodic evenings and weekends as necessary to attend relevant events and programs.

Education, Training and/or Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred.
2. 5+ years of experience in education, education administration, community relations, government relations, Jewish communal work, public policy and/or advocacy.

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.

If you are qualified and interested in this exceptional opportunity, please send your resume and cover letter, and apply here.