Founded in Boston in 1998, JOI builds a vibrant, pluralistic community of Jewish young adults who learn grassroots community organizing, explore their Jewish identity together, and become leaders in the pursuit of social justice. Our core program is a one-year organizing fellowship that provides young adults in their twenties with social justice work and training opportunities in a supportive environment. In recent years, we have also initiated programs for the alumni of our fellowship program and have begun to build partnerships with others who share many of our goals.

JOI offers a unique model of training and support for young Jewish adults. We have trained more than eighty program participants in grass roots community organizing and leadership development, a large majority of who have continued to work with social justice issues. Each year we place Fellows in a diverse set of Boston area religious and secular nonprofit organizations, where they work four days a week building leaders and supporting campaigns around such issues as affordable housing, health care, fair labor practices and elder services. On Fridays and through weekend retreats, JOI program staff and other experienced leaders teach and support the Fellows, helping them to refine their organizing skills, and make the connection between their Jewish identity and the work that they are doing. As our alumni network has grown, we have pursued opportunities for programs beyond the fellowship year. Alumni have become increasingly involved in the leadership of JOI, and have begun to create their own ongoing training and support structures.

The Jewish Organizing Initiative (JOI) seeks a dynamic leader to become the next Executive Director of our growing nonprofit organization.

Challenges and Opportunities for a new Executive Director

As our Founding Executive Director moved on this past year, volunteers stepped in to work with our small staff to maintain and strengthen our programs. JOI has benefited enormously from the participation of staff, alumni, Fellows, Board members, constituents, and supporters. We have set a direction for our future, in which JOI will build an ever expanding, diverse network of Jewish leaders who have the skills, experience, and motivation to build powerful community organizations and pursue social justice throughout their lives. We plan to grow our fellowship and alumni programs, both within Boston and in other locations. We aim to expand our network of donors and supporters. We will strengthen our partnerships, and add further value to the organizations that we work with. Our next Executive Director will be expected to carry out this vision, and to grow JOI together with us. S/he will supervise the Program Director and Office Manager/Alumni Coordinator, manage and grow our current $400,000 budget, and carry out other responsibilities as outlined below.

Areas of Responsibility

Organizational Leadership

• Provide leadership and direction to organizational visioning and future planning.

• Support the Board of Directors to grow and become a strong and cohesive leadership group.

• Hire, supervise, and support the development of staff.

• Contract for and manage part-time professional services as needed.

Fundraising and Communications

• Lead and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy for JOI.

• Manage the involvement of Board, staff, alumni and Fellows in JOI fundraising.

• Build strong relationships with current individual and institutional donors and placement organizations.

• Expand the pool of individual, corporate and philanthropic supports for JOI.

• Plan and oversee all JOI fundraising events.

• Prepare or oversee the preparation of all funding proposals, reports, and donor communications.

• Oversee the maintenance of fundraising systems.

• Explore opportunities to fundraise together with placement organizations. 

• Produce or oversee the production of newsletters, website updates and all promotional materials.

• Serve as the lead spokesperson for JOI at conferences, events and in the community.

Administration and Financial Management

• Develop agency budget.

• Review and supervise all financial reporting and record keeping.

• Manage and oversee all personnel systems.

• Recommend and ensure the development of updated office systems as needed.

Program Development and Operations

• Support and advise the Program Director in the training and development of Fellows.

• Provide some direct training and support to Fellows.

• Actively recruit new placement organizations.

• Help to strengthen placement relationships through the design and oversight of supervisor training and accountability systems.

• Oversee staff, alumni, and Fellows in recruiting new Fellows.

• Encourage and help to facilitate the development of expanded alumni programming.

• Explore opportunities to expand JOI to at least two other cities.  

• Work closely with the Board to organize and implement new programs consistent with JOI’s vision

Qualifications Desired

• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to community organizing principles and practices 

• Dedicated interest in developing the leadership skills of young adults

• Ability to promote social justice and foster a pluralistic community within a Jewish context

• Vision, leadership and passion for JOI’s mission and program activities 

• Proven track record in fundraising from both individuals and foundations

• Facilitative leadership style that engenders trust and inspires others to participate

• Demonstrated skills in managing staff and organizational operations

• Experience working well with a Boardof Directors

• Understanding of organizational growth

• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills

• Ability to manage complex relationships with a wide range of stakeholders

• Experience with budgeting and financial management, preferably with small nonprofits

• Comfort with word processing, spreadsheet, website and database applications 

• Familiarity with diverse communities and nonprofit organizations, preferably within the Boston area

• Experience as an Executive Director preferred

• Knowledge of a wide range of Jewish communities and backgrounds preferred

To apply, submit letter of interest, resume and salary requirements by May 8, 2007 to: Ann Silverman, Consultant to JOI, 69 Oak Avenue , Belmont , MA 02478 , joiexecutive@gmail.com.

See www.jewishorganizing.org to learn more about the Jewish Organizing Initiative.