Director, Education & Programs

This position leads the Jewish Community Relations Bureau | AJC’s efforts to further our mission to combat antisemitism and pursue justice in Kansas and western Missouri through proactive educational initiatives and public programs. The Director will engage with various stakeholders such as Jewish students, parents, and community professionals; school and university administrators and faculty; business and civic leaders; and interfaith and intergroup partners. The role requires the ability to speak with nuance and empathy, both in private meetings and when speaking in front of larger audiences, as a representative of the local Jewish community. The Director also works with the JCRB|AJC team to manage and address antisemitic incidents when they occur.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Directs and leads the implementation of student empowerment programs such as Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) and Student to Student (STS); includes recruitment, promotion, and parent and alumni engagement

• Expands, maintains, and cultivates relationships with school administrators and faculty to provide resources and proactive educational programming on Jewish identity and antisemitism to staff and students; includes delivering trainings to staff and supporting STS presentations in classrooms

• Develops, promotes, and delivers educational programs on Jewish identity and antisemitism for students and adults in the broader Kansas City community, including to faith groups, community organizations, government entities, companies, etc.

• Works with the JCRB|AJC team to address incidents of antisemitism in the community, serving as a partner and resource for community members and relevant stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes

• Strategizes and implements public programs and events throughout the year, including educational programs; includes coordinating administrative and logistical support in partnership with colleagues

• Supports JCRB|AJC staff to create marketing and promotional materials and content for educational and public programs and resources, or statements regarding current events, and to update JCRB|AJC’s website with relevant information and resources

• Supervises the yearly distribution of Jewish holiday calendars to area schools, companies, and organizations

• Provides administrative and programmatic support for JCRB|AJC’s annual Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Event as needed

• Works with the JCRB|AJC team to track and manage grant deliverables related to educational programs and is responsible for meeting education-related goals

• Works with JCRB|AJC staff to strengthen and cultivate relationships with intergroup and interfaith partners

• Works with a contracted part-time Jewish Educator for JCRB|AJC’s LFT program

Required Skills, Abilities, Characteristics & Experience

• BA degree required; minimum 3-5 years of related experience in education, non-profit, government, Jewish communal organizations, or a related field

• Knowledge of Judaism, the Jewish community, Israel, and antisemitism, and dedication to closely following currents events

• Experience in relationship-building and collaborating with various high-level stakeholders

• Excellent public speaking and communication skills, both verbal and written

• Strong emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills; energetic, amicable, flexible, self-motivated, and comfortable in a fast paced work environment 

• Experience in planning programs for various sized audiences

• Impeccable project management skills and follow-through; strong attention to detail required

• Ability to work independently, within a team, and with external partners

• Flexibility to work some evenings (Monday-Thursday) and Sundays as needed for various programs and events

Essential functions:

1. Ability to perform manual duties such as lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds; operate office equipment which may require stooping, kneeling, bending, stretching

2. Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time

3. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

4. Ability to travel to meeting sites by motor vehicle when required

5. Ability to learn technical skills

6. Ability to withstand stressful situations

7. Ability to multitask 

Compensation and Schedule:

This is a full-time, exempt position. The annual salary is competitive and within a range of $70,000-80,000 depending upon experience. JCRB|AJC offers a generous PTO package, two all-staff wellness weeks each year, 10 Federal holidays and up to 14 days for Jewish holidays, a hybrid work environment, and a paid family leave policy. Health, dental, life insurance, and retirement plan available. JCRB|AJC closes at 3pm on Fridays for Shabbat.

JCRB|AJC is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, and record of arrest or conviction.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understand the scope of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, or responsibilities associated with the position.

Please send resume and cover letter to jcrbajc@jewishkc.org.