Assistant Director, Political Outreach, New England

Founded in 1906, AJC seeks to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. Among Jewish advocacy organizations, AJC is the leader in the global arena. We are known for our unparalleled access to diplomats, government officials, and faith leaders in more than 100 countries. In addition to our New York headquarters and Office of Policy and Diplomatic Affairs in Washington, D.C., AJC has offices across the U.S. and around the globe and maintains partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide.
AJC seeks an advocacy professional to serve as the Assistant Director, Political Outreach, New England. Liaising between national advocacy/policy colleagues and regional office staff, the Assistant Director will cultivate relationships and implement an overall advocacy strategy on behalf of the organization. The ideal candidate takes an entrepreneurial approach, yet is able to work collaboratively with both local and remote colleagues. The Assistant Director must be a genuine relationship-builder and savvy operator who understands how government works at all levels and can creatively engage with elected officials and key staff. Energized by AJC’s mission, the Assistant Director should be truly dedicated to AJC’s priorities and its fiercely bipartisan approach to political engagement, and able to communicate that commitment to an increasingly broad and diverse audience.
The Assistant Director, Political Outreach does all of this while adhering to AJC’s core values: Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Accountability.
Responsibilities Include:

• Work with the Director of National Outreach –and with the relevant regional office/s– to organize and prioritize political outreach and plan advocacy calendars to augment existing efforts in each state in the region, particularly looking to expand AJC’s reach beyond cities where a regional office exists.
• Become a trusted resource to local, state, and federal officials so that AJC can credibly and productively suggest policy prescriptions to address and combat antisemitism.
• Amplify AJC’s messages and resources to build an understanding of antisemitism, Jews, and Judaism among government appointed/elected officials, law enforcement personnel, top-tier candidates in competitive elections, and relevant staff.
• Rally political, government and/or civic leaders to demonstrate support for the Jewish community, particularly in times of crisis, and to publicly condemn when an opinion leader makes an antisemitic statement or instrumentalizes Israel, antisemitism, or the Holocaust for political gain.
• Assess state legislative opportunities that further the fight against antisemitism, and work to advance appropriate legislation.
• Identify and steward relationships with allies and partner organizations to combat antisemitism, including other ethnic/religious groups.
• Design and implement advocacy and programmatic initiatives in coordination with the appropriate regional office(s) that advance AJC’s advocacy priorities and offer a compelling case for involvement with and support for AJC’s work, to include advocacy meetings, virtual and in-person public briefings, trainings, and roundtables.
• Monitor state and local legislation and actions pertaining to AJC priorities, and inspire community responses.
• Work with regional office/s in recruiting mayors, secretaries of state, attorneys general, and other key public figures for Project Interchange and other AJC initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required and a minimum of 3 years related advocacy experience in State/local government, in advocacy organizations, in a lobbying capacity, in political campaigns, or in national organizing.
• Capacity to speak with a non-partisan voice, echoing AJC’s thoughtful approach.
• Ability to work independently, showing initiative and creativity in vision and outreach.
• Proven success in crafting and implementing major projects and strategies.
• Fluency in key AJC issues to include combating antisemitism, promoting Israel’s place in the world, pluralism, hate crimes, American global leadership, and foreign policy.
• Superior written and verbal communications skills.
• A demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards and values consistent with those of AJC.

AJC requires all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID 19, unless one has a legally recognized reason for exemption.

Job Type: Full-time