Executive Director, Student to Student

Position: Executive Director, Student to Student, Jewish Federations of North America

Location: New York or Washington, DC (New York preferred)

The Jewish Federations of North America (“JFNA”) consist of 141 Jewish Federations and dozens of Network communities which collectively raise and distribute more than $3 billion annually to support flourishing Jewish life and the needs of the Jewish people in their home communities and around the world. The Jewish Federation system, among the top 10 charities on the continent, leads the largest network of volunteer and professional leaders who build and sustain Jewish communities that are healthy, safe, caring, welcoming and inclusive, educated and engaged, involved in the broader community, and deeply connected to Israel and the global Jewish people.   

Overview

Student to Student (STS) creates interfaith dialogue and learning between peers to disrupt stereotypes and stop hatred. Our innovative teen-centered programming builds young people into strong, confident Jewish leaders who can effectively represent the diversity of the Jewish community and combat antisemitism. Student to Student trains Jewish teens to be storytellers and ambassadors, sharing their lives, beliefs, and practices with their peers. STS started in St. Louis, Missouri and has grown rapidly in recent years. Student to Student became part of the Jewish Federations of North America in September 2024, which has already enabled the program to scale to 45 communities across North America and is poised to continue to grow in the months and years ahead.

The Executive Director of STS will lead the initiative by setting and implementing strategy and overseeing all aspects of the program’s operations. The Executive Director will ensure operational and educational excellence, while also working to strategically build and scale the initiative. The Executive Director will supervise the STS team and will work closely with colleagues across the Jewish Federations of North America and local Federations to maximize the impact of this initiative. Student to Student benefits from a strong and committed advisory community, which the Executive Director will partner with to set and advance the program’s objectives.

The Executive Director will be the public face of the program and will lead the expansion of Student to Student to new communities in the Federation network. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic, strategic, and proven leader and skilled manager with exceptional planning, management, and communications skills.

Duties and Responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Setting and leading STS’s strategy and plans.

• Developing and implementing a 3-5 year comprehensive strategic growth plan as part of JFNA and its new Frontline initiative.

• Supervising the STS professional team to ensure that all aspects of the program are implemented with rigor and excellence.

• Ensuring that STS and its impact is effectively communicated across the Federation system and broader Jewish community.

• Overseeing the creation of curriculum and trainings.

• Providing training and support to new and existing communities, which will include updating instructional manuals and methods, establishing best practices among all participating communities, conducting independent research to validate the success of the program, marketing and publicity, and more.

• Representing the initiative to current and prospective STS funders.

• Speaking and teaching about STS and its methodologies in a variety of settings.

• Building relationships with school leadership to deepen relationships and build understanding of Jews and Judaism.

• Seeking and building partnerships with Jewish and other faith leaders and organizations to deepen ties and promote interfaith community work.

• Ensuring highest standards of program delivery and impact through data collection and analysis.

• Working with STS’s advisory committee to implement and track strategic plans for growth and impact.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field such as Jewish engagement, education, interfaith studies, religious studies, or community development.

• Demonstrated experience in leading strategic initiatives.

• Experience with interfaith work, community engagement, or related fields.

• Experience supervising a team of in-person and remote employees.

• Strong executive presence, including strong communication and interpersonal skills with a strong ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Deep understanding of Jewish faith, traditions, and cultural practices. Ability to teach and speak in a wide variety of Jewish and other houses of worship.

• Experience and familiarity with school systems and administration, both public and parochial, is ideal.

• Demonstrated skills and experience in supervision, leadership, strategic planning, and program management.

Compensation and 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, generous parental leave policies and flexible remote work practices.  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.

Salary range: $155,000 to $175,000

As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, JFNA celebrates and welcomes people of all identities and backgrounds. 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.

Federation Applicants

JFNA is committed to supporting local Jewish Federations and to identifying the best talent for the system. If a current Federation employee is hired for this role, we will work with the local Federation to ensure an appropriate timeline and communications strategy. We welcome initial confidential inquiries to learn more about the role; however, current Federation employees who move to a finalist round of interviews will be asked to communicate with the Federation about their candidacy.