Careers

Roles we are currently hiring:

• Director of Government Relations and Advocacy
• Director of Communications
• Government Relations & Advocacy Intern/Fellow (Fall ’23)

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Director of Government Relations and Advocacy

About the Opportunity:

The Director of Government Relations and Advocacy is a key member of the Government Relations and Advocacy Department and reports to the Chief Policy Officer. In concert with the Chief Policy Officer, the Director helps determine department goals and budget, manage and run the department, directly manage team members and interns, determine federal legislative priorities, and establish and implement policy and advocacy strategies to advance department and organizational goals.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Assist in managing the Government Relations and Advocacy Department by:

• Supervising two full-time direct reports, the SPA Manager and Government Relations and Advocacy Manager, and up to three interns which includes overseeing their work, providing feedback and coaching, and ensuring a cohesive and coherent team-wide approach to advancing NCJW domestic policy priorities.
• Planning annual Government Relations and Advocacy work and related budget.
• Serving as liaison to the Chief Policy Officer and NCJW CEO on specific issue portfolios
• Representing management directives and decisions to Government Relations and Advocacy staff
• Working with Chief Policy Officer and finance department as needed on grants
• Planning and facilitating department-wide meetings and strategy sessions
• Developing, motivating, and leading the team; setting team goals and evaluating performance

Build and grow NCJW’s lobbying practice to deliver wins on key issues by:

• Developing and implementing direct lobbying strategies
• Managing advocacy team’s relationships with Congressional Members and staff, relevant administration officials, and other ‘Washington Insiders’ and thought leaders by developing and executing a relationship management plan.
• Setting specific goals and monitoring progress toward achieving goals

Expand role in NCJW to help fulfill its mission by:

• Taking part in the development and execution of NCJW strategy
• Representing the department in cross-departmental projects and programs often working closely with communications, engagement & leadership, development, and programs departments and NCJW professionals
• Ensuring alignment of projects within the department and across the organization
• Helping plan and execute NCJW’s conferences as needed
• Staffing board committees as appropriate

Advocate for NCJW ‘s key priorities by managing a diverse portfolio of issues such as voting rights, LGBTQ rights, child care, paid family leave, and an increased minimum wage, by:

• Representing NCJW on national grassroots policy and advocacy coalitions and playing a leadership role where appropriate
• Developing talking points, testimony, comments, op eds, press statements, and other written materials as relevant to the issue portfolio
• Keeping abreast of relevant information, resources, tools, and developments in federal domestic policy, especially as it relates to NCJW policy priorities
• Monitoring budget and appropriations processes and relevant federal court cases impacting key policy priorities

Advance NCJW’s mission through collaboration with grassroots and communications teams, including:

• Representing NCJW on national grassroots policy and advocacy coalitions and playing a leadership role where appropriate
• Overseeing the development of written policy resources, including but not limited to testimony, talking points, letters and comments for the record, questions to committee staff in advance of relevant hearings, action alerts, and toolkits
• Leading advocacy training and related materials development
• Coordinating with Communications Department on messaging to NCJW network
• Providing technical assistance and information on issues to volunteer advocates
• Developing and conducting advocacy trainings for SPAs, NCJW sections, and other groups internal and external on an as-needed basis

Preferences:

• Undergraduate, advanced, and/or law degrees
• A network of professional relationships in Washington, DC related to public policy
• Experience working on Capitol Hill or in Executive Branch
• Experience with a grassroots-based membership or volunteer organization
• Prior experience with Jewish communal organizations
• Prior social justice experience
• Superior oral and written communication skills
• Ability to manage a budget

Requirements:

• At least seven years of public policy, government affairs, or lobbying-related experience
• Adept at cogently discussing domestic policy issues and proposals with congressional staff and/or executive branch staff
• Fundamental understanding of how policies impact marginalized communities, such as people of color, LGBTQ individuals, low-wage earners, women, immigrants, and others
• Ability to analyze and communicate complex legislation, regulations, and court rulings
• Ability to craft and deploy advocacy tools like letters, fact sheets, talking points, research and shareable social content to advance domestic policy priorities
• Supervisory experience, including coaching and/or mentorship
• Ability to work both independently and with supervision, and as part of a diverse team
• Experience in strategic visioning, goal setting, and evaluation
• Experience inspiring and training leaders to lead impact
• In-depth understanding of the legislative, regulatory, and judicial process
• Ability to design and execute a cohesive advocacy strategy
• Excellent listening and relationship-building skills
• Passion for NCJW’s mission
• Willingness to travel

Salary and Benefits:

• $110,000-$150,000. Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience.

• Paid Federal and Jewish Holidays.

• Comprehensive benefits package includes retirement, paid leave, health insurance, paid vacation time, hybrid work model, dental, vision, sick time, disability insurance, professional development, life insurance, flexible spending account, trans health, transit benefits, short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and abortion procedure funding.

NCJW is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

At National Council of Jewish Women, we are committed to creating a culture of inclusion and accountability. We honor the wisdom, insights, perspectives, and experiences of diverse viewpoints, and recognize that many critical voices have been underrepresented in Jewish organizational life and nonprofit organizations as a whole for too long. We welcome applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds.

We are an equal opportunity employer and recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, culture, age, creed, disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship status, or any other protected status.

Interested Candidates:

Click here to apply

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Director of Communications

About the Opportunity:

The Director of Communications is responsible for developing and implementing NCJW’s communication strategy, including a broad range of communication activities relative to the strategic direction and positioning of the organization, as well as the larger issue areas in which we work. The Director is responsible for the success of NCJW’s communications department, supervises a team of digital and communications professionals (as well as relevant consultants and vendors) and serves as the communications expert on the leadership team.

The Director of Communications leads a team of four, (1) Associate Director, (2) Managers, and (1) Associate, and manages a department budget. For the first year, this role will report to the Chief Executive Officer. Starting the following year, this role will report to the Chief Policy Officer.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Strategy

• Drive the organization forward through informed strategy and deeply collaborative work.
• Create large-scale communications plans and strategies with the lens of the audiences always in mind.
• Translate institutional priorities to audience-focused core messaging and talking points.
• Partner with NCJW departments to understand upcoming priorities and initiatives and provide strategic direction to help the organization effectively communicate to the community.
• Build and execute on strategic and project-level communication plans that support NCJW’s strategic priorities, and vision.
• Use qualitative and quantitative results to measure communication quality, engagement, and satisfaction, and use data to inform future actions.

Press

• Drive the creation and evolution of NCJW’s media messaging strategy. Find stories and angles that meet current trending issues of national importance.
• Create ambitious press coverage goals and clear plans to achieve them.
• Oversee press relations, creating clear goals and expectations for each member of the NCJW team around responding (or not responding) to press.
• Assign press relationship management and implementation of strategies and tactics to the Communications team members and coach them on achieving those goals.

Operations

• Develop and manage communications budget and approve spending; obtain and manage team resources.
• Own and manage contractor/vendor relationships

Administrative

• Set department strategy, adjust as needed
• Develop, motivate, and lead team; set team goals and evaluate performance
• Own and manage department budget; provide input on NCJW, Inc. Budget
• Own partner organization relationships, as appropriate for communications.
• Engage board members and lead board committees
• Ensure alignment of projects within the department and across the organization.
• Other duties as assigned

Preferences:

• 7+ years preferred of experience working directly with senior-level executives to develop and drive engagement and impact through strategic communications to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• 5+ years preferred of experience developing talent
• 5+ years preferred of managing a complex budget
• DC-based professional strongly preferred

Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience in creating, directing and managing content for various multimedia platforms, including website, social media, print, newsletter and email.
• 3+ years required of experience working directly with senior-level executives to develop and drive engagement and impact through strategic communications to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• 3+ years required of experience developing talent
• 2+ years required of managing a complex budget
• Detail-oriented and organized.
• Ability to manage time and priorities with competing responsibilities and multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be very comfortable with public speaking and being in front of large rooms of people.
• Well-developed public relations skills to respond to situations with political appropriateness and sensitivity
• Ability and willingness to step in when necessary and create NCJW content, including email content, op-eds, press releases, and speeches.
• Up to date COVID vaccinations, as defined by CDC

Salary and Benefits:

• $110,000-$150,000. Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience.

• Paid Federal and Jewish Holidays.

• Comprehensive benefits package includes retirement, paid leave, health insurance, paid vacation time, hybrid work model, dental, vision, sick time, disability insurance, professional development, life insurance, flexible spending account, trans health, transit benefits, short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and abortion procedure funding.

NCJW is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

At National Council of Jewish Women, we are committed to creating a culture of inclusion and accountability. We honor the wisdom, insights, perspectives, and experiences of diverse viewpoints, and recognize that many critical voices have been underrepresented in Jewish organizational life and nonprofit organizations as a whole for too long. We welcome applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds.

We are an equal opportunity employer and recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, culture, age, creed, disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship status, or any other protected status.

Interested Candidates:

Click here to apply

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Government Relations & Advocacy Intern/Fellow
(Fall 2023)

About the Opportunity:

For over a century, the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) has been at the forefront of social change, championing the needs of women, children, and families while taking a progressive stance on such issues as reproductive rights and justice, voter engagement, the federal courts, and civil rights.

NCJW’s Government Relations and Advocacy Department is pleased to offer internships to rising college juniors and seniors as well as graduate students. This is a great opportunity to learn first-hand about advocacy and the legislative process. Applicants should possess a commitment to progressive change, racial justice, and working in a diverse environment.

Please note that internships/fellowships can be entirely remote or in-person and that applicants from across the country are encouraged to apply.

Opportunities & Responsibilities:

• Learn about public policy and the legislative process by assisting staff and attending legislative hearings, briefings, national coalition meetings, rallies, and press conferences. 
• Assist with issue portfolios, such as reproductive rights, the federal courts, voting rights, economic justice, LGBTQ equality, religious liberty, and immigration. 
• Draft and edit advocacy materials, including points, regulatory comments, letters, op-eds, policy updates, etc.  
• Plan and execute a lobby day by meeting with congressional staff to discuss NCJW priority issues. 
• Gain an understanding of NCJW and what it’s like to work for a non-profit, volunteer-led organization.

Qualifications:

Strong writing and communication skills, ability to learn quickly, and a commitment to social justice issues. No previous professional experience necessary, just a willingness to learn and get involved. Two years of higher education or commensurate experience strongly preferred. In person preferred.

Hours:

Flexible, part-time (minimum 2 days per week; 180 maximum hours in Spring and 350 maximum hours in Summer). Positions available by semester; must commit to the entire academic semester or term (January through May, May through August, September through January).

Compensation:

• $16.10/hour and/or academic credit

NCJW is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

At National Council of Jewish Women, we are committed to creating a culture of inclusion and accountability. We honor the wisdom, insights, perspectives, and experiences of diverse viewpoints, and recognize that many critical voices have been underrepresented in Jewish organizational life and nonprofit organizations as a whole for too long. We welcome applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds.

We are an equal opportunity employer and recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, culture, age, creed, disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship status, or any other protected status.

To Apply:

Please email a cover letter that includes your availability for the internship, as well as a resume and short writing sample (3-5 pages max). Please title each using the following format: Your Name_Document Type (for example, Jody Rabhan_Resume).  Send to Jody Rabhan, Chief Policy Officer, by email at fwilliams@ncjw.org.

Applications are considered on a rolling basis.