Position: Vice President of Communications & Public Engagement
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Start Date: Immediately
Location: Washington, DC
Position
Now in our second decade, J Street is looking for a dynamic communications professional to serve as Vice President of Communications & Public Engagement (VP) and help take J Street's brand, visibility and public engagement to the next level. We seek someone who has the vision, passion and creativity to help maintain and grow J Street's position as a major political player in the political and Jewish communal debate around the US-Israel relationship, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and US foreign policy.
The VP will serve as the organization's senior-most communications professional and manage an eight member team whose portfolio includes: communications strategy; messaging and media relations; social media and online campaigns; leadership and stakeholder engagement; marketing; public events and programming; and J Street's National Conference.
The VP will be a member of J Street's executive management team and will serve as a senior face and voice of the organization to the media, our Board of Directors, J Street's members and various internal and external stakeholders.
The ideal candidate would have: a strong background in communications, stakeholder engagement and/or public affairs; an aptitude for media relations, an interest in serving as a senior face of the organization in the media, and a portfolio of her/his own media relationships; political or issue advocacy experience; strong management skills; and professional familiarity/experience with the role of Israel and the US-Israel relationship in American politics, foreign policy and the American Jewish community. The ideal candidate would be passionate about promoting peace and diplomacy, and helping to secure a better future for the United States and Israel.
A strong work ethic, progressive values, and positive demeanor highly valued!
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Leadership and Management:
The VP will set priorities for and manage the three Public Engagement divisions-- Communications, Digital, and Events/ Programming. This includes helping the eight person team project-manage to hit goals, and also providing mentorship to/ and furthering professional development of the team members.
The VP will serve as a member of J Street's executive team, supporting the President, COO and executive team in setting strategy and making organizational decisions. She/he will also serve as a universal team player and communications thought partner to staff across the organization-- and also to various stakeholders (e.g. lay leaders, student activists).
The VP will serve as a senior ambassador of the organization at leadership, political and communal events.
Communications and Public Affairs Strategy:
The VP is responsible for conceptualizing and managing strategic communications and public affairs plans for the organization, including identifying new fora and creating opportunities to bolster J Street's public policy efforts and political role in the 2020 national elections.
The VP will serve as a leading voice on proactive messaging as well as rapid response to current events. She/he will lead message trainings with staff and external leaders.
The VP will support the digital team with creative strategies for expanding our digital footprint and our supporter base through online campaigns and other tools.
The VP may also be asked to take a leading role in organizing and leading coalitions of like-minded communications professionals on the national and international level.
Media Relations:
Along with the communications team, the VP will create and supervise the implementation of a media engagement plan for frequent engagement with a wide swath of media-- including political, congressional and foreign policy reporters, the American Jewish communal press and Israeli press. She/he will work to build the media profile of the organization and the organization's president.
The VP will be responsible for personally owning and cultivating a set of media relationships, and will serve as an on-the-record spokesperson for J Street.
Programming, Stakeholder Engagement and National Conference:
The VP will serve as the senior-most thought partner on programming for J Street's annual conference and smaller leadership events throughout the year.
The VP will also lead the team to craft and execute engagement strategies to deepen relationships among chapter leadership and also a broader community of stakeholders (from leaders and allies to infrequent audiences to our issues).
Required and Desired Skills and Experience
Applicants should have the following required skills:
Strong communications, writing and editing skills
Experience developing and executing communications strategies
Media relations experience and existing portfolio of media relationships
Demonstrated passion for politics and public policy, especially as it relates to J Street's mission
Exceptional interpersonal skills and presence, discretion, and mature judgment
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and work smartly, by identifying priorities
Ability to work well with others
Management experience
Positive demeanor and sense of humor
Additional Desired Preferred Experience:
Experience working with the Jewish community or professional familiarity with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Experience with US politics and the federal policy-making process
Experience or comfort doing broadcast (TV and radio) interviews on behalf of the organization
More about J Street
J Street is the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans working for the future of Israel as the democratic homeland of the Jewish people. The organization believes that preserving Israel's Jewish and democratic character depends on achieving a two-state solution, resulting in a Palestinian state living alongside Israel in peace and security.
Launched in 2008 with four staff and a limited budget, J Street is now a $10 million organization with a national staff of more than 60. The organization is headquartered in Washington, DC, employing staff in 6 cities including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Oakland, and Tel Aviv.
J Street focuses its work in three main areas: (1) Advocating and demonstrating support for pro-Israel, pro-peace policies in Congress, the media and the Jewish community; (2) Endorsing and raising money for federal candidates who share J Street's agenda; and (3) Educating the public and raising awareness of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the two-state solution.
Compensation and Hours
Salary for this full-time, senior-level position will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Hours and duties may fluctuate based on J Street event and staff travel schedules. Benefits include paid vacation and sick leave, paid time off on federal and Jewish holidays, health and dental insurance, company paid life insurance, 401k and flexible spending account.
To Apply for the Position
Interested candidates should apply by email to resumes@jstreet.org with "Vice President of Public Engagement" in the subject line. Applications should include:
Cover letter that explains why you are interested and qualified
Resume
List of three references
Where you learned about the position
J Street is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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