Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 
Columbia Jewish Federation | Columbia, South Carolina 

The Columbia Jewish Federation currently has an opportunity for an Executive Director to provide vibrant leadership to a growing and evolving Jewish community in the capital city of South Carolina.  

Like many Jewish communities in the Southeast, the demographics, priorities and needs of the Jewish community in Columbia are changing. The Executive Director of the CJF will be challenged to work collaboratively with an engaged leadership team to think strategically about the structures and systems necessary to organize Federation activities and deliver critical services. The community has moved away from a JCC-based centralized building model, freeing up resources to invest in more current and anticipated future priorities. The Executive Director will have an important role in the selection and execution of the priorities and initiatives developed by Federation leadership. 

The mission of CJF (www.jewishcolumbia.org) is to engage and strengthen our community to build a vibrant Jewish future by providing direct services and supporting programs and affiliated organizations. CJF currently operates Jewish Family Services and a Community Relations Committee, and engages with other organizations, institutions and community leaders on a wide range of activities and programs under the CJF umbrella, including Shalom Baby, PJ Library, Hillel at USC and the Rendezvous Lounge for seniors, as well as coordination for security and advocacy activities. The Columbia Jewish community also has three strong synagogues (conservative, reform and Chabad), the Cutler Jewish Day School, Camp Gan Israel, a state capitol that hosts an annual Menorah lighting ceremony and Jewish Community Advocacy Day, both Hillel and Chabad chapters at USC, and the Anne Frank Center at USC.  

CJF is one of 146 independent members of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). This affiliation provides a range of resources to the CJF, as well as opportunities for the Executive Director to participate in JFNA Small City Professional Development opportunities and the JFNA General Assembly. The CJF has a history of strong national leadership, including participation in JFNA National Young Leadership Cabinet (NYLC) National Women’s Philanthropy (NWP), and JFNA Board of Trustees. 

Key Responsibilities 

The Executive Director will be responsible for leading the Federation in three main areas: 

1. Leadership & Community Engagement 

• Serve as the primary representative of CJF, working closely with the Board of Directors, community leaders, and stakeholders. 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with synagogues, schools, university organizations, and other Jewish and civic groups. 

• Develop and execute a strategic vision for CJF’s future, aligning resources and programs with the community’s evolving needs. 

2. Fundraising & Financial Sustainability 

• Oversee and grow the annual fundraising campaign and grant allocation process. 

• Develop long-term endowment and planned giving strategies to ensure financial sustainability. 

• Cultivate relationships with donors and community members to expand philanthropic support. 

3. Organizational & Program Management 

• Lead and manage CJF staff, ensuring efficient operations and high-quality program delivery. 

• Oversee the administration of key programs, including Jewish Family Services, security coordination, and community relations initiatives. 

• Steward the Federation’s financial and operational health, ensuring responsible budgeting and resource allocation. 

Qualifications & Skills 

• Strong leadership and strategic vision, with a track record of community engagement and organizational management. 

• Proven fundraising and financial management skills, including donor cultivation, grant writing, and campaign leadership. 

• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities, both written and verbal. 

• Experience working in Jewish communal organizations or nonprofits is highly preferred. 

Compensation 

$100,000-$120,000 

How to Apply 

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and a resume below.