Location and Job Title:

Director of Public Affairs & Community Engagement
Shalom Orlando Inc
851 N Maitland Ave.
Maitland, FL 32751

Principal Responsibilities:

Shalom Orlando Central Florida
Full-Time Senior Leadership Position
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

About Shalom Orlando

Shalom Orlando is building a vibrant, connected, and thriving Jewish community in Central Florida. As the home of both the Jewish Federation and the Roth Family Jewish Community Center, we bring together Jewish life, education, culture, wellness, philanthropy, advocacy, and community engagement under one organization.

We're in an exciting period of growth and transformation, strengthening our relationships, expanding our reach, and reimagining how a Jewish community organization can serve both its own community and the broader region.

We believe that a strong Jewish community is one that is deeply connected internally and actively engaged with the world around it. We're looking for people who share that vision and want to help make it a reality.

About the Position

Shalom Orlando is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and relationship-driven Director of Public Affairs & Community Engagement to join our team.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this individual will lead our government relations, public affairs, civic engagement, community partnerships, and efforts to prevent and respond to antisemitism. The Director will also serve as the professional lead of our Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), working closely with its chair and lay leadership to advance the council's priorities and strengthen its impact.

This is a highly visible, outward-facing role for someone who understands the importance of building trusted relationships, navigating complex issues, and bringing people together.

The Director will help position Shalom Orlando as a central, respected voice on Jewish public affairs in Central Florida, ensuring that our community is represented in important civic conversations and that our organization is actively helping shape a stronger, more connected region.

We're looking for someone who doesn't just maintain relationships but sees opportunities to create them, who can move comfortably between government offices, community organizations, schools, and interfaith gatherings, and who is excited to help build something meaningful.

Minimum Qualifications:

Key Responsibilities

Government Relations & Public Affairs

• Develop and lead Shalom Orlando's government relations and public affairs strategy in collaboration with the CEO.
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, government agencies, policymakers, and civic leaders at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Monitor legislative and public policy developments affecting the Jewish community, providing analysis, recommendations, and opportunities for engagement.
• Coordinate advocacy initiatives, policy briefings, and civic engagement efforts aligned with Shalom Orlando's mission and approved priorities.
• Help ensure that Shalom Orlando is represented in important civic conversations, government initiatives, and community decision-making forums.

Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Leadership

• Serve as the professional lead of Shalom Orlando's JCRC, working in close partnership with its chair and active lay committee.
• Provide strategic guidance, coordination, and professional support to advance the JCRC's priorities, initiatives, and community impact.
• Guide the development and implementation of the JCRC's annual goals, advocacy efforts, community relationships, and educational initiatives.
• Strengthen the JCRC's role as a credible, respected voice on issues affecting the Jewish community.
• Support meaningful lay leadership engagement and ensure that the JCRC's work aligns with Shalom Orlando's broader strategic direction and governance processes.

Community Partnerships & Civic Engagement

• Develop meaningful relationships with business leaders, civic organizations, nonprofits, cultural institutions, and community partners throughout Central Florida.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration, shared initiatives, and community engagement that strengthen Shalom Orlando's reach and impact.
• Represent Shalom Orlando at civic events, community meetings, and public forums.
• Build partnerships that create opportunities for dialogue, education, service, and stronger connections between the Jewish community and the broader region.

Interfaith & Intergroup Relations

• Cultivate trusted relationships with faith leaders, religious institutions, and diverse community organizations.
• Create opportunities for dialogue, education, collaboration, and shared community initiatives.
• Build coalitions around common concerns and strengthen relationships that encourage understanding, mutual respect, and long-term cooperation.

Antisemitism Prevention & Response

• Help lead Shalom Orlando's community relations efforts to prevent and respond to antisemitism.
• Monitor emerging issues and incidents affecting the Jewish community, particularly in schools, civic institutions, and public settings.
• Work with educational institutions, government officials, community partners, and appropriate security professionals to coordinate thoughtful and effective responses.
• Advance proactive educational initiatives that increase understanding of Jewish identity, history, Israel, and contemporary Jewish life.

School & Campus Engagement

• Build relationships with K-12 schools, school districts, colleges, universities, and educational leaders throughout Central Florida.
• Develop opportunities for education, dialogue, and collaboration around Jewish identity, history, and antisemitism.
• Expand Student to Student programming and other initiatives that foster understanding and meaningful connections among students, educators, and communities.

Frontline Program Leadership

• Lead Shalom Orlando's Frontline initiative in partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA).
• Oversee program planning, implementation, budgets, outcome measurement, and grant reporting.
• Work with organizational and lay leadership to ensure that Frontline resources support Shalom Orlando's broader public affairs and community relations priorities.
• Collaborate with Development to identify funding opportunities and support long-term program sustainability.

Organizational Leadership & Collaboration

As a member of Shalom Orlando's senior leadership team, the Director will contribute to the overall success and strategic direction of the organization.

We believe that building a strong community is a shared responsibility. Our leaders are expected to collaborate across departments, participate actively in organizational initiatives and community events, and bring ideas, creativity, and hands-on support to the work of Shalom Orlando as a whole.

This position offers an opportunity to help shape not only our public affairs and community engagement efforts, but the future of our organization.

As organizational needs and priorities evolve, additional responsibilities and projects may be assigned that support Shalom Orlando's broader mission and goals.

Qualifications

We're looking for a leader who brings:

• A bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, government relations, public affairs, nonprofit leadership, or a related field. An advanced degree is preferred.
• At least five years of relevant experience in government relations, public affairs, advocacy, civic engagement, community relations, or related leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of governmental and legislative processes and demonstrated experience building relationships with public officials and community leaders.
• A solid understanding of Jewish communal life, Jewish identity, Israel, and contemporary issues affecting Jewish communities.
• Experience working collaboratively with volunteer boards, committees, or other lay leadership groups.
• Excellent communication, public speaking, relationship-building, and strategic thinking skills.
• Diplomacy, sound judgment, cultural awareness, and the ability to navigate sensitive and complex issues.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including managing budgets, initiatives, and competing priorities.
• A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to turn ideas and relationships into meaningful action.
• A genuine commitment to Shalom Orlando's mission and enthusiasm for building a stronger, more connected community.

Work Schedule & Travel

This is a full-time position based in Central Florida. The role requires regular local travel for meetings and community engagement, occasional evening and weekend commitments, and periodic travel for professional development, advocacy, and Frontline-related activities.

Join Us

At Shalom Orlando, we're building something special. We're strengthening Jewish life, creating new connections, and working to ensure that our community has a meaningful voice and presence throughout Central Florida.

We're looking for a leader who wants to be part of that work, someone who brings vision, initiative, and the ability to turn relationships into lasting impact.

If you're excited about the opportunity to help shape the future of Jewish community life in Central Florida, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply at shalomorlando.org/careers

Salary:

$0

Agency Information:

The JCC is an equal opportunity employer to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental handicap, or veteran status.

Since 1973, The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando in Maitland has been the center of Jewish life in Central Florida and home to award-winning preschool, after school, summer camp, fitness, sports, arts and community programs.