Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council- Hartford

Reports to: Vice President of Impact & Strategy

Core Responsibilities: Develop and coordinate implementation of JCRC’s annual operating plan, strategic priorities, workplans, and measurable outcomes. Oversee JCRC’s antisemitism incident-response function, including intake oversight, case assessment, institutional advocacy, referral coordination, escalation recommendations, and follow-through. Coordinate public affairs and legislative strategy with Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut (JFACT), including government relationships, policy monitoring, meetings, briefings, testimony, action alerts, candidate engagement, and coalition activity. Build and steward strategic relationships with civic, faith, education, government, nonprofit, philanthropic, and community leaders. Serve as a trusted subject-matter resource and represent the Federation in public, civic, government, educational, and communal settings. Develop and coordinate public-facing materials, including talking points, testimony, issue briefs, public statements, institutional guidance, and response communications, in partnership with Federation leadership and communications staff. Supervise JCRC staff and maintain clear workplans, decision rights, relationship mapping, dashboards, documentation, and follow-up systems. Partner with JCRC lay leadership on agendas, board development, strategic decision-making, introductions, advocacy, and targeted volunteer activation. Ensure that programs, partnerships, and convenings advance defined JCRC priorities, audiences, relationships, and outcomes rather than functioning as stand-alone events. Document and communicate JCRC’s impact and contribute programmatic content to grant proposals, donor reports, and funding opportunities in coordination with Federation leadership and development staff. Qualifications5 to 7 years of experience in advocacy, public affairs, Jewish communal leadership, education leadership, community relations, or a related field. Demonstrated ability to navigate polarized political and communal environments with nuance, tact, and sound judgment. Strong knowledge of contemporary antisemitism, anti-Zionism, Israel-related public discourse, hate and extremist movements, Jewish history and identity, and effective advocacy and response strategies. Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex and emotionally charged issues clearly and credibly to diverse audiences. Demonstrated success building coalitions, cultivating strategic partnerships, and working effectively with public officials, educators, clergy, institutional leaders, and volunteers. Strong project and people-management skills, with the ability to establish disciplined systems, manage multiple priorities independently, and ensure consistent follow-through. Collaborative, open-minded, and non-siloed leadership style. Ability to remain calm, credible, responsive, and decisive under pressure. Commitment to Jewish values, Jewish communal life, and the mission of the Federation. Availability for evening and weekend responsibilities and local or regional travel.