Director, Events & Engagement

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington • North Bethesda, MD

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington brings people, resources, and ideas together to strengthen Jewish life across our region. Events are one of the primary ways we build relationships, inspire philanthropy, engage leaders, and connect our community to our mission. The Director, Events and Engagement leads Federation’s Events function, overseeing strategy, planning, and execution of Federation's event portfolio with a primary focus on signature community gatherings, donor experiences, leadership events, and major organizational initiatives. Working closely with Executive Leadership and colleagues across the organization, this role creates meaningful experiences that strengthen relationships, advance fundraising and engagement goals, and reflect Federation’s mission, values, and brand. This is an opportunity for an experienced event leader who enjoys balancing big-picture thinking with hands-on execution. You'll personally lead our most complex events while building the systems, standards, and team that elevate event planning across the organization.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience leading complex events, organizational experiences, or engagement initiatives
• Demonstrated success planning and executing large-scale, high-profile events
• Exceptional leadership, project management, organizational, and operational planning skills
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities
• Experience leading teams and collaborating across multiple stakeholders
• Demonstrated sound judgment, adaptability, and the ability to lead effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure environments
• Experience developing operational processes, planning systems, or organizational workflows that improve execution and collaboration

Nice To Haves

• Experience in nonprofit, fundraising, higher education, healthcare, or another mission-driven organization preferred
• Familiarity with Jewish customs, traditions, and community life, or a willingness to learn, is preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead Federation's Events: Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of Federation's signature events, donor experiences, leadership gatherings, and other priority events
• Personally lead the organization's highest-profile and most complex events from concept through execution
• Develop event concepts, program content, speaker preparation, and participant experiences that advance fundraising, engagement, and organizational priorities
• Partner with Executive Leadership, speakers, lay leaders, and subject matter experts to develop compelling programs and meaningful participant experiences
• Continuously improve Federation's events by evaluating outcomes, incorporating feedback, and strengthening participant experiences, planning practices, and organizational effectiveness
• Coordinate annual event planning to maximize collaboration, organizational capacity, and consistency
• Advance Event Excellence Across Federation: Advise Executive Leadership on event strategy, program design, audience engagement, and experience decisions for priority events
• Serve as Federation's lead advisor on event planning and experience design, establishing standards, tools, and best practices that strengthen event planning across the organization
• Partner with Executive Leadership, Financial Resource Development, Communications, and program teams to align events with fundraising, stewardship, leadership, and community engagement goals
• Partner with and advise departments across Federation to develop successful events aligned with strategic priorities
• Facilitate cross-functional planning and ensure clarity around priorities, timelines, roles, and responsibilities
• Build trusted relationships with lay leaders, volunteers, vendors, and community partners
• Lead & Develop the Team: Supervise, coach, and develop the Events team
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on operational excellence and continuous improvement
• Build systems, processes, and team capability that strengthen the Events function and create opportunities for others to grow

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off, including Jewish holidays
• Up to 6 weeks of paid parental leave (after one year)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed