Director, Cabinet Alumni Leadership & Engagement - JFNA

The Jewish Federations of North America • New York, NY

3d • $110,000 - $130,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director leads implementation of JFNA’s Cabinet Alumni Strategy, building structures and partnerships that turn Cabinet participation into lifelong leadership across the Federation system and beyond. Working with national lay leaders, local Federation professionals, and JFNA colleagues, the Director establishes an alumni leadership structure; strengthens recruitment and transition practices; tracks alumni engagement and progression; connects alumni to meaningful leadership roles; and designs gatherings and immersive experiences. This is a leadership development and engagement role, not a fundraising position, and has no solicitation portfolio or revenue target. The ideal candidate builds trusted relationships with accomplished volunteer leaders, creates buy-in across a complex network, and translates long-term vision into measurable progress.

JFNA’s Lay Leadership Development department develops volunteer leaders for Jewish Federations and the broader Jewish community, supporting leadership readiness, governance, lay-professional partnership, and continuity. National Young Leadership Cabinet is JFNA’s flagship investment in Jewish volunteer leadership development, with more than 500 active members and 4,300 alumni. The Director’s portfolio focuses on Cabinet and Cabinet Alumni, helping develop the alumni network as a lifelong leadership movement connected to local Federations and the broader Jewish community.

The position is strongly preferred to be based in the New York metropolitan area and works a hybrid schedule from JFNA’s New York office. The role requires willingness and ability to travel and staff key events, including international events.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Progressively responsible professional experience in volunteer leadership, governance, alumni or constituent networks, or leadership development, within or outside the Jewish communal field.
• Genuine enthusiasm for Jewish lay leadership development and building the leadership pipelines on which Federations depend.
• Confidence driving change through sustained engagement and navigating competing priorities.
• High emotional intelligence, discretion, and sound judgment, including the ability to navigate complex relationships and offer candid feedback constructively.
• Demonstrated record of building trusted, strong partnerships with highly experienced volunteers and senior leaders.
• Experience growing new programs, networks, or initiatives and establishing new infrastructure.
• Ability to maintain a long-term vision while building momentum, accountability, and measurable progress.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to senior lay and professional audiences.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented; a strategic thinker comfortable collaborating with a team and owning independent responsibilities.
• Willingness and ability to travel and staff key events, including international events.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Knowledge of the Jewish communal landscape and the Federation system preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish a Cabinet Alumni Leadership Group with the National Cabinet Alumni Co-Chairs, defining portfolio roles, onboarding members, and setting annual work plans and accountability measures.
• Partner with the Alumni Co-Chairs to set, monitor, and report on key performance indicators, and develop alumni volunteer leaders so the network becomes increasingly alumni-led.
• Build sustained relationships with local Federation professionals and develop best practices for Cabinet recruitment, nomination, onboarding, transition, and alumni engagement.
• Advise JFNA colleagues and Federations on identifying candidates with long-term leadership potential and addressing gaps across communities and leadership profiles.
• Equip Federations to connect Cabinet members and alumni to meaningful local and national leadership pathways.
• Work with JFNA’s Data and Growth team to track alumni engagement, placements, and progression across 141 Federations and JFNA, and apply the learnings.
• Cultivate key alumni to identify candidates for board, committee, task force, and chair roles across JFNA, Federations, and the Jewish community.
• Create a mentorship pathway linking Cabinet alumni with senior leaders and other JFNA leadership cohorts.
• Design an annual alumni engagement portfolio of gatherings, affinity groups, briefings, and immersive experiences, including missions to and beyond Israel.
• Integrate alumni into the General Assembly, International Lion of Judah Conference, advocacy fly-ins, and select missions, and own participation targets.
• Ensure departing Cabinet members leave with a named local contact and defined next step, coordinating with Changemakers, National Women’s Philanthropy, Atid, and other cohorts.
• Represent Cabinet Alumni at JFNA and Federation forums, present strategy and outcomes to senior audiences, and contribute to planning, budgeting, and evaluation.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Flexible spending account (FSA).
• Defined contribution plan.
• Generous vacation policy.
• Paid legal and Jewish holidays.
• Life insurance.
• Generous parental leave policies.
• Voluntary learning programs throughout the year in subjects of interest to staff.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director