Senior Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships

Senior Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships
Jewish Federations of North America – Community & Jewish Life Division

Position Title: Senior Director, Community Engagement and Partnerships

Department: Community and Jewish Life

Location: New York preferred

About JFNA

The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) consist of 141 Jewish Federations and dozens of Network communities which collectively raise and distribute more than $3 billion annually to support flourishing Jewish life and the needs of the Jewish people in their home communities and around the world. The Jewish Federation system, among the top 10 charities on the continent, leads the largest network of volunteer and professional leaders who build and sustain Jewish communities that are healthy, safe, caring, welcoming and inclusive, educated and engaged, involved in the broader community, and deeply connected to Israel and the global Jewish people.

Department Overview

The Community and Jewish Life Division drives bold initiatives that expand and reshape engagement in Jewish life across North America. This is done by working collaboratively with cross-organizational partners, including partnering with and supporting Federations, largely in their Jewish/community engagement and Jewish education efforts to scale models of excellence across the Federation system. Our work spans diverse focus areas – ranging from children and young families, teens, and young adults, to midlife (55+) and empty nesters, interfaith and mixed-heritage families, volunteerism, and mental health.

Community & Jewish Life is guided by two central priorities:

• Catalyzing innovation at scale: Developing multi-stakeholder responses to critical issues in Jewish life and delivering vital resources to local communities.
• Field-building to elevate excellence: Strengthening the quality of Jewish engagement across North America through cohort learning to share best practices, creating communities of practice, and convening thought leaders to drive innovation, training, and research.

About the Role

The Senior Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships will lead JFNA’s efforts to strengthen collaboration across the Jewish communal ecosystem while providing strategic support to local Federations. This role serves as a central convener, connector, and thought partner – helping local communities design and grow initiatives that expand meaningful engagement in Jewish life, fostering collaboration and learning across North America, sharing fieldwide insights and models, and supporting national partners in deepening their work with local Federations.

Key Responsibilities

Partnerships & Collaboration

• Build and sustain strong, trusting relationships with national Jewish engagement organizations and local Federation professionals focused on Jewish education and engagement to foster alignment, experimentation, and collective impact.
• Manage key relationships and identify new opportunities for coalition-building and shared strategy.
• Shape and advance high-priority partnerships and pilot initiatives in areas such as family engagement, midlife engagement, and belonging.

Field-Building & Learning

• Convene and facilitate communities of practice and peer networks to share best practices and innovations.
• Foster alignment, collaboration, and experimentation to strengthen collective impact across the Jewish engagement ecosystem.
• Collaborate with internal JFNA teams to advance shared field-building goals, while developing strategies to highlight successes and amplify partner and Federation work.

Federation Support & Thought Leadership

• Serve as a strategic partner to local communities, offering tailored guidance and supporting the implementation of field-building initiatives.
• Translate national insights and trends from the field into actionable local strategies and tools.
• Contribute to JFNA’s presence at national convenings and develop relevant content for conferences, webinars, and publications.

Who You Are

• Connector, strategist, and relationship-builder with 7+ years of relevant experience.
• Deep knowledge of Jewish communal life, including opportunities within both national organizations and local Federations.
• Skilled in relationship management, facilitation, cross-organizational collaboration, and program strategy.
• Entrepreneurial leader and creative problem solver with strong communication skills who can manage projects, launch initiatives, and create spaces for learning and experimentation.
• Adept at supporting and advising local communities while advancing national field-building objectives to strengthen Jewish life and community.

As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, JFNA celebrates and welcomes people of all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. 

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range: $125,000-135,000, commensurate with experience. JFNA offers a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, FSA), defined contribution plan, generous vacation policy, paid legal and Jewish holidays, life insurance, parental leave, and flexible remote work practices.  Our compensation philosophy strives to be externally competitive and internally fair. Additionally, we offer voluntary learning programs throughout the year in subjects of interest to our staff. 

Federation Applicants

JFNA is committed to supporting local Jewish Federations and to identifying the best talent for the system. If a current Federation employee is hired for this role, we will work with the local Federation to ensure an appropriate timeline and communications strategy. We welcome confidential initial inquiries to learn more about the role; however, current Federation employees who move to a finalist round of interviews will be asked to communicate with the Federation about their candidacy.