Director, Cabinet Alumni Leadership & Engagement
DEPARTMENT: Lay Leadership Development
REPORTS TO: Associate Vice President, National Young Leadership Cabinet
LOCATION: New York, NY (currently hybrid) strongly preferred
STATUS: Full time, exempt
About JFNA
The Jewish Federations of North America (“JFNA”) represents 141 Jewish Federations and over 300 Network Communities, which raise and distribute more than $3 billion annually for social, humanitarian, and educational needs. The Federation movement, collectively among the top 10 charities in North America, protects and enhances the well-being of Jews worldwide through meaningful contributions to community, Israel, and civil society. JFNA’s mission is to build flourishing Jewish communities around the world.
Department Overview
JFNA’s Lay Leadership Development department builds the pipeline of volunteer leaders who guide Jewish Federations and the broader Jewish community. Working across JFNA and the Federation system, the department helps communities develop prepared, connected, confident leaders while strengthening governance, lay/professional partnership, and leadership continuity.
This position sits within the Cabinet and Cabinet Alumni portfolio within the Lay Leadership Department.
About National Young Leadership Cabinet and Cabinet Alumni
National Young Leadership Cabinet is JFNA’s flagship investment in Jewish volunteer leadership development, with more than 500 active members and 4,300 alumni. Its alumni chair Federation campaigns, serve on national boards, and lead across business, government, philanthropy, and civic life. JFNA is now building the structures to turn this powerful network into a lifelong leadership movement—connected to one another, their local Federations, and the broader Jewish community.
Position Summary
The Director will lead implementation of JFNA’s Cabinet Alumni Strategy, building the 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 will establish an alumni leadership structure, strengthen recruitment and transition practices, track alumni engagement and progression, connect alumni to meaningful leadership roles, and design compelling gatherings and immersive experiences.
This is a leadership development and engagement role—not a fundraising position—and carries no solicitation portfolio or revenue target. The ideal candidate is both a relationship-builder and a builder of systems to support leadership planning and continuity. They will be someone who can earn the trust of accomplished volunteer leaders, create buy-in across a complex network, and translate long-term vision into measurable progress.
Primary Job Responsibilities
Alumni Volunteer Leadership Structure (20%)
- 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 is increasingly alumni-led.
Federation Partnership, Recruitment, and Leadership Pathways (35%)
- Build sustained relationships with local Federation professionals and develop best practices spanning 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.
Leadership Continuity, Tracking, and Placement (25%)
- 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.
Alumni Engagement, Immersive Experiences, and Representation (20%)
- Design an annual alumni engagement portfolio of gatherings, affinity groups, briefings, and immersive experience, including missions to and beyond Israel.
- Integrate alumni into the General Assembly, International Lion of Judah Conference, advocacy fly-ins, and select missions, owning 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.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred. 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 for 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, with 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.
- Able to hold a long-term vision while building momentum, accountability, and measurable progress along the way.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present to senior lay and professional audiences.
- Highly organized and detail-oriented; a strategic thinker , comfortable with a collaborating team and owning independent responsibilities.
- Knowledge of the Jewish communal landscape and the Federation system preferred.
- Willingness and ability to travel and to staff key events, including international.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary - $110,000 -$130,000 (Commensurate with experience)
Strong preference for this position is based in the New York metropolitan area and works a hybrid schedule from JFNA’s New York office.
Benefits - JFNA offers a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, FSA), including a defined contribution plan, generous vacation policy, paid legal and Jewish holidays, life insurance, and generous parental leave policies. Our compensation philosophy strives to be externally competitive and internally fair. Additionally, we offer voluntary learning programs throughout the year in subjects of interest to our staff.
JFNA is committed to supporting local Jewish Federations and to identifying the best talent for the system. If a current Federation employee is hired, we will work with their Federation on an appropriate timeline and communications strategy. We welcome confidential inquiries; current Federation employees who reach a final round will be asked to inform their Federations of their candidacy.
The Jewish Federations of North America is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics