Associate Director, Community Relations

Position Summary: This position is designed to assist with and enhance the overall work of the Community Relations department regarding government affairs, combatting antisemitism, education, and intergroup/interfaith relations. The Associate Director serves as the primary relationship manager for an assigned community portfolio, initially including dedicated frontline coverage of Martin County, with measurable goals for community engagement, partnership development, coalition-building and participation in Palm Beach Center initiatives. The Associate Director reports to the Director of Community Relations and provides staff support to various boards and committees. Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  Community Relations  Collaborates with the Director, Community Relations in the development, planning and management of various programs to build relationships within and beyond the Jewish community, including recruiting participants for educational programs, leadership initiatives, fellowships and study tours and identifying opportunities for collaboration with community partners. Assists in strengthening the Federation’s network of interfaith and intergroup contacts by serving as a community representative on various coalitions, task forces, and collaborative ventures and by attending various community events. Builds and maintains relationships with clergy, educators, elected officials, business leaders, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement, media and other civic leaders within the assigned portfolio; represents the Palm Beach Center at community meetings, public events, coalitions, task forces and collaborative ventures. Supports Director in response to antisemitic incidents by developing and implementing a crisis response and intervention plan  Volunteer Leadership  Manages and engages volunteer leaders on the Community Relations Committee, including correspondence with membership, agenda planning, material preparation and execution.  Nurtures current volunteer leadership skills and cultivates a strong pipeline of future volunteers with representation of varying viewpoints and community demographic groups Assists in managing the Community Relations Committee, including preparing materials for meetings, events, coordinating committee strategy and advancement, and working to engage board members in the work of the department.  Educational Programming & Communications Researches and provides information, technical assistance, and guidance on a broad array of domestic and international issues as required for community education, engagement and mobilization. Supports educational programs that ensure the community is educated on priority issues through Federation events, communication vehicles, social media, local news, and other marketing opportunities.  Corresponds with elected officials, staff and other key leaders on a range of domestic and international issues, with an emphasis on combatting antisemitism, antizionism, and Israel.  Administrative and Other Duties Applies for internal grants and support grant process in collaboration with the Grant Manager providing information and impact reporting as needed. Collaborates with other Federation departments and staff members on related projects.  Collaborates with the Office of Security on issues of antisemitism and security Assist the Director, Community Relations in tracking and maintenance of department budget and funding needs Participates fully in Jewish Federation of North America’s Frontline Initiative, including required in-person and virtual trainings, cohort-building opportunities, national gatherings, and measurement, tracking and grant-reporting activities. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications and Success Factors: Bachelor’s degree with coursework in civic and community engagement, public affairs or related field required; Master’s or better preferred.  Two or more years of relevant experience in Jewish communal, non-profit, public sector or related field or equivalent combination of relevant education, experience and skills required. Experience working collaboratively and effectively with diverse lay leaders, volunteers, and colleagues. Strong knowledge of basic office computing, including MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), Zoom, Claude, and basic database skills required. Knowledge of current events and understanding of Israel and the Jewish world, religion, tradition and values and core Center issues. Knowledge of and experience with the political process on national, state, and local levels. Excellent research, written, verbal communication, and presentation skills are essential.  Skilled in program development, management, and evaluation. Ability to think strategically and to help develop long-term goals for the Center. Ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment. Passionate commitment to Jewish community, Israel and public policy issues. Understanding of committee management and development. Must be able to pass Level 1 background check. Must be able to work off-shift hours including nights and weekends, as needed. Work Environment: Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is committed to creating a workplace where employees feel supported, valued, and connected to our mission. Our offices are located in a beautiful facility in West Palm Beach, providing a professional and welcoming environment for both staff and visitors. The building is secured during business hours with dedicated safety personnel to help ensure a safe and supportive workplace.   Federation prioritizes employee well-being and professional growth through a collaborative culture and a dedicated employee wellness program that promotes physical, mental, and emotional health. Employees also benefit from a wide range of professional development opportunities, including  in-house courses through Federation University, cross-departmental trainings, conference participation, professional certifications, and involvement in fellowships and leadership cohorts.   Employees of the Federation also enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial security, and work-life balance, including:   Health & Wellness Benefits • Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, and vision plans • Disability and life insurance coverage • A dedicated employee wellness program focused on overall well-being