Sr. Director, Strategy and Community Building, Northern Virginia

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington stands at the heart of one of the largest and most dynamic Jewish communities in North America. We are committed to building a vibrant, connected, and inclusive Jewish future—locally, in Israel, and around the world. With a focus on strategic impact, leadership development, and community partnership, Federation serves as both a convener and a catalyst, addressing evolving needs and opportunities across our region.

As we look to deepen our work in Northern Virginia—a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse hub that is home to approximately 40% of our community—we are seeking a visionary leader to help us bring our bold aspirations to life.

Position Summary:

The Sr. Director role combines strategic planning, collaborative team leadership, relationship development, and philanthropic partnership. The ideal candidate will be someone whom community members look to for steady guidance, collaborative partnership, and authentic connection—someone who brings both strategic clarity and heartfelt dedication to advancing Jewish life across Northern Virginia.

The Senior Director, Strategy & Community Building will work across departments—including Impact, Philanthropy, Engagement, and Communications—to ensure that Northern Virginia is not just represented but activated as a thriving, connected hub of Jewish life.

Key Responsibilities:

Regional Strategy Development & Leadership

• Lead the development, refinement, and execution of a comprehensive, multi-year strategy to further build Jewish life in Northern Virginia, aligned with Federation’s broader strategic priorities.
• Serve as the “quarterback” for Federation’s regional work in Northern Virginia, ensuring strategic alignment, coordination, and impact across teams.
• Maintain a pulse on local community needs, gaps, assets, and opportunities; translate that understanding into actionable initiatives.

Cross-Functional Team Leadership

• Manage a cross-departmental team of professionals contributing to the NOVA strategy (e.g., strategic impact, convening, engagement, communications, leadership development).
• Facilitate team collaboration, accountability, and learning across program areas to ensure alignment with NOVA goals.
• Support and coach team members involved in Federation’s Northern Virginia strategy through matrixed reporting relationships, ensuring clear understanding of roles, responsibilities, and communication channels.

Community Relationship Building

• Serve as the primary professional liaison to the Northern Virginia Advisory Council and other key regional stakeholders.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with synagogues, agencies, cross-regional organizations, schools, grassroots leaders, and innovators in the region.
• Represent Federation in key community convenings, gatherings, and partnership conversations.

Lay Leadership Development

• Partner with lay leaders and volunteers to identify, cultivate, and support emerging and existing leaders within the Northern Virginia Jewish community.
• Develop programs and opportunities that empower lay leaders to take active roles in community-building, governance, and advocacy aligned with the overall regional strategy.
• Foster meaningful engagement and leadership pipelines that strengthen the long-term sustainability of Jewish communal life in the region.

Innovation, Learning, and Evaluation

• Guide data-informed decision-making and oversee learning cycles that assess program outcomes, surface community insights, and inform future strategy.
• Explore new ideas for community engagement, leadership development, and grassroots innovation, with a regional lens.

Resource Development & Philanthropic Partnership

• Partner with the Financial Resource Department to engage Northern Virginia donors in the work.
• Articulate a compelling vision for investment in Northern Virginia; help steward major donors who care about the region.
• Identify opportunities to leverage and align existing Federation funds to advance NOVA priorities.

Qualifications:

• 7-10 years of experience in Jewish communal leadership, community development, strategic planning, or related fields.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive alignment across departments and workstreams.
• Strong interpersonal and relational skills; comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders and community voices.
• Deep understanding of Jewish life and community dynamics—both institutionally and at the grassroots level.
• Experience with data-informed strategy, innovation design, or place-based community work is a plus.
• Familiarity with the Northern Virginia Jewish landscape—or demonstrated success in building in a similar regional context—is preferred.

Organizational Culture and Values

The Senior Director, Strategy & Community Building

will join a team committed to leading with purpose, listening and responding with care, and fostering a culture of learning and collaboration. We value inclusion, transparency, and trust — and seek a colleague who brings curiosity, humility, and a deep respect for diverse perspectives.