Reports to: JFREJ Board of Directors

FLAS* Status:     Exempt (*Fair Labor Standards Act)

Status Type: Full Time

ABOUT JFREJ:

For 25 years, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) has pursued racial and economic justice in New York City by advancing systemic changes that result in concrete improvements in people’s everyday lives.  We are inspired by Jewish tradition to fight for a sustainable city with an equitable distribution of economic and cultural resources and political power.  We do this work with grit, deep commitment, rigor, sharp analysis, humor, resilience, joy and love.  JFREJ organizes through local issue-focused campaigns and partnerships with ally organizations led by low-income, immigrant and people of color communities. We infuse our work with ritual and culture, the leadership development of our members, and thought-leadership on local and national fronts.  We are deeply committed to and always in the process of creating a healthy and sustainable workplace. (Despite the urgency of all our work!)  Our power comes from an active and visionary membership and our alliances with partner organizations.

ABOUT THE JOB:

The Executive Director (ED) works with the board of directors, a staff of six (6), and a large and active membership to pursue the organization’s strategic vision and has overall responsibility for fundraising, program development, administration and finances, partnerships, communications, and personnel.

The Executive Director serves as the public face of the organization, establishing and ensuring the integrity of its vision and reputation as a leading voice of the Jewish social movement left with media, donors, government, and national, state and local organizations and leaders.

The next Executive Director of JFREJ will be a leader, manager and spokesperson with outstanding strategic, communication, collaboration and fundraising skills.  With an organizational budget of $600,000, a major responsibility of the new ED is to fundraise and to ensure sufficient resources for JFREJ.

The ED has the opportunity to be the leader of an organization with a proud history, a strong vision, programs and relationships and the space to shape the organization as it moves into the future.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and support an effective staff team and board that ensure the development and implementation of organizational strategies and work plans that are both visionary and sustainable.
• Hold and steward the Strategic Vision established by the organization in 2015.
• Establish and implement fundraising goals in concert with the development director and board of directors; Lead the organization’s fundraising efforts in building relationships and securing gifts from major donors and foundations; continue to build the organization’s base of dues-paying members.
• Ensure that JFREJ has adequate and effective systems and policies for management, finances and administration.
• Ensure a healthy, cohesive workplace, staff team, and organizational culture.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including donors, members, ally organizations, coalition partners, and other relevant organizations.
• Work with our current partners and coalitions; Identify and develop new organizational partnerships and alliances and other strategic relationships that advance our work.
• Work within the Jewish community to build new relationships and to navigate existing relationships.
• Serve as the chief spokesperson for JFREJ with the media, elected officials and national, state and local organizational leaders.
• Review and sign off on all public representations of the organization’s work and uses of the organization’s name.
• Produce compelling written materials and oversee the implementation of communication strategies including but not limited to blogs, reports, the annual report, electronic newsletters and fundraising appeals.
• Work in collaboration with the Board Finance Committee to develop the organization’s annual budget and ensure that it is in alignment with JFREJ’s vision and programmatic goals; Monitor finances throughout the year and ensure that the Board is kept up-to-date on the organization’s financial position.
• Act as primary link between the board of directors and staff, ensuring that each has the support and information necessary to perform its role in the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience working on the staff of, or playing a significant volunteer role in, a Jewish organization or secular social change organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collegially as a member of a team to ensure the timely, strategic and successful completion of work.
• Strong public speaking and writing skills.
• A demonstrated ability to develop and implement creative strategies to raise money from a variety of sources including individuals and foundations.
• A demonstrated understanding of the role of grassroots social justice organizations and community organizing, philanthropy, advocacy and communications within larger social movements; demonstrated commitment to winning systemic change and building power through grassroots organizing
• Demonstrated experience developing, communicating and managing multiple and complex relationships with other organizations, leaders and members.
• Experience with, commitment to, and reputation for working productively and respectfully with diverse communities to build their capacity to effect change.
• We seek candidates who meet the above qualifications. In that context, however, we seek individuals with a variety of types of leadership experience; Qualified candidates need not have had prior experience serving as an executive director.

Other Desirable Qualifications include:

• Experience working and organizing in New York City.
• Knowledge of and experience working within the Jewish social movement left.
• Prior organizing experience within a multi-racial context.

VALUES:

• Naturally consultative and participatory leadership and management style but with the ability to act decisively.
• Emotionally mature with a sense of humor and the sensitivity to work in a complex, high-stakes political context.
• Ability to listen effectively, seek and accept feedback, and recognize the importance of stretching oneself, learning and growing.
• Commitment to encourage and support staff leadership and growth and to creating a sustainable work culture.
• Curious and genuinely interested in others and in building strong relationships.
• Ability to hold strategic course without being distracted by incidental activities while also being responsive to current events and opportunities as they arise.
• Commitment to the leadership and vision of frontline communities (within and outside the Jewish community) in our struggle for racial and economic justice.
• Humility and kindness.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The salary will be commensurate with experience.

A generous benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, sabbatical policies and a progressive employer-contributed pension are included.

TO APPLY:

Please email a cover letter addressing your interest in the position and your resume tohiring@jfrej.org  no later than Friday, July 29th.

All questions regarding the search can be sent to the above email address.

JFREJ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews, people of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, transgender, transsexual, and intersex people, lesbian, gay, queer, and bisexual people, and people who come from poor or working class backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. 330 7th Avenue, Suite 1901, New York, NY 10001