Managing Director (Sonoma)

For 75 years, JCRC Bay Area has served as the largest collective voice of Bay Area Jews, bringing together diverse Jewish communities with our neighbors to build a just society and a secure Jewish future. Our flexible, hybrid office is a fast-paced, energetic, and dynamic environment that inspires collaboration and growth.

Salary Range : $180,000-200,000

Reports to : Chief Executive Officer

Full-Time/Exempt

To apply : Please submit your application/resume and a cover letter to: .

Job Description

The Managing Director leads the organization’s community relations strategy and programs across the nine-county region, overseeing teams in government affairs, civic partnerships, Jewish engagement, Jewish affairs, and education. Reporting to the CEO, the Managing Director manages and develops a team of dedicated professionals, ensuring the successful implementation of JCRC’s strategic and annual plans. This role involves developing strategy to complex public affairs issues, building partnerships, responding to incidents, educating Jewish and civic communities, while serving as a senior public representative of JCRC. The Managing Director will also serve as the deputy to the CEO in representing the organization externally. As a member of the executive team (along with the CEO, COO/CFO, Director of Development, Senior Director of Jewish Affairs, and Senior Director of Government Affairs), the Managing Director contributes to organizational leadership, budget management, and fundraising efforts. Additionally, this position engages with the JCRC Board and Council, fostering relationships and inspiring lay leaders to advance JCRC’s mission of combating antisemitism, strengthening civic connections, and promoting social justice.

MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This role serves as the department lead for the community relations team, managing director-level staff and building a culture of excellence to fulfill short and long term goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Management

• Lead, manage, and partner with the community relations team (11 professionals) to implement JCRC’s strategic and annual plans, ensuring progress in key areas:
  • Policy & Government Affairs – Build relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials and candidates. Advocates for policies that advance the needs of the Jewish community and social justice efforts.
  • Community Partnerships – Strengthen relationships with leaders and organizations across diverse interfaith, ethnic, and single-issue groups. Builds coalitions across communities to advance mutual goals, such as through our SF AAPI-Jewish roundtable.
  • Jewish Affairs – Address incident response to antisemitism and promoting Jewish inclusion and belonging across the Bay Area. Oversees our Here I Am Jewish identity and antisemitism trainings and workshops.
  • Education – Engage K-12 and higher education institutions to ensure Jewish identity is embraced through the culture and environment at schools, as well as through curriculum (ethnic studies, holocaust education, and beyond). Responds to antisemitic incidents in the K-12 space.
  • Jewish Engagement – Build relationships with Jewish institutions, synagogues and leaders across the nine-counties. Runs our JCRC Council, the organization’s representative advisory body that builds consensus on topical issues and mobilizes Jewish communities in support of JCRC’s agenda.
• The Managing Director is expected to engage directly in the ongoing work of the five community relations teams, taking high-level external meetings and representing JCRC in the field at community events. (see section below)
• Develop and oversee project management practices to enhance team efficiency, ensuring strategic and programmatic goals are met.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, thought partnership, and shared learning within the community relations team.
• Identify and support the professional development of team members, encouraging growth through coaching, training, and goal-setting.

Community Relations & Public Engagement

• Serve as a high-level community relations representative, building and strengthening relationships with key Jewish and non-Jewish community leaders and stakeholders.
• Educate and inspire Jewish and civic leaders to engage in JCRC’s work through speaking engagements, relationship-building, and thought leadership.
• Advocate for policies and issues relevant to the Jewish community and promote JCRC’s positions and values.
• Partner with JCRC staff to address complex community issues in schools, government, and interfaith spaces, ensuring thoughtful and effective responses.
• In partnership with the CEO and Marketing and Communications Director, advance messaging and public relations strategies consistent with the messaging/programmatic needs and priorities of the organization.
• Represent the organization in interactions with government officials, media outlets, social media, and other external stakeholders to build brand awareness for the organization.
• Respond to community incidents and crises, shaping strategy and deploying JCRC professionals and lay leaders.

Executive Leadership & Organizational Strategy

• Function as the CEO’s chief deputy, representing them in key internal and external forums and making strategic decisions as needed.
• Serve as a key member of JCRC’s executive team, contributing to the organization’s leadership, strategy, and operational decision-making including:
  • Drive cross-departmental initiatives and best practices in collaboration with colleagues on the executive team.
  • Play a key role in shaping organizational culture, fostering an environment of belonging, collaboration, and excellence.
  • Participate in high-level discussions on administrative operations, HR policies, financial planning, and organizational strategy.
• Collaborate with the COO/CFO to oversee the community relations team’s budget and financial decision-making.
• Partner with the Director of Development to build a culture of philanthropy, engaging donors in community relations work and identifying fundraising opportunities.
• Work closely with the CEO and senior leadership to develop and execute JCRC’s annual strategy and goal-setting.

Board & Council Relations

• Act as the primary liaison between the community relations team and the JCRC Board of Directors, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Provide regular updates, reports, and engagement opportunities to the JCRC Board about the work of the community relations team.
• Develop relationships with key lay leaders, including the Public Policy Committee Chair and Council Chair, to enhance community engagement.
• Inspire Board members to take an active role in JCRC’s mission, fostering deeper involvement in advocacy, relationship-building, and fundraising efforts.

SUCCESS CRITERIA

• Mentorship & Results-Driven Leadership: Translate strategic priorities into actionable plans by mentoring and empowering team members to drive results. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous growth, ensuring employees have the resources, skills, and guidance needed to succeed. Align communication, responsibilities, and internal processes to create a supportive environment where staff can develop professionally while delivering measurable and sustainable impact. Identify opportunities with the greatest potential for organizational success and coach employees to achieve ambitious, yet attainable goals. Encourage innovation, problem-solving, and perseverance to meet or exceed expectations, while actively supporting individual and team development.
• Community Impact : Measure the tangible impact of JCRC’s programs and advocacy efforts on the Jewish community and broader society, including improvements in social policies, reduction in instances of antisemitism, and enhancement of interfaith understanding and cooperation.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong team management and mentorship skills.
• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to navigate complex political and social issues.
• Strong public speaking and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and educate diverse audiences.
• Ability to represent a Jewish voice in coalitions and public forums through a working knowledge of Jewish values, history, heritage, culture, and ideals.
• Demonstrated ability to respond to crises and incidents, developing strategic approaches to sensitive situations.
• Commitment to JCRC’s mission of advancing Jewish inclusion, combating antisemitism, and strengthening civic partnerships.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of five years in leadership roles including staff supervision, program development/management and team building in a nonprofit or governmental context
• Proven leadership experience in community relations, advocacy, or public affairs.
• Experience developing and leading high performing teams with a focus on setting and achieving strategic goals and objectives in line with budgetary requirements.
• Public relations experience with the ability to engage a broad range of audiences and constituents. Experience managing marketing and communications strategies, preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree is required. An advanced degree is preferred.
• Jewish communal experience preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The JCRC is