Director of Community Planning

Director of Community Planning

WHO ARE WE?: 

The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati (“JFC”), the backbone Jewish organization, is seeking a Director of Community Planning.  The JFC connects our community, solves big problems, and stewards community resources. We welcome all cultural backgrounds and faith including those of every socioeconomic status, race, gender, national background, sexual orientation, gender identity, and physical, mental, and developmental ability. Grounded in Jewish values, together with you, our volunteers, and partner organizations, we support the vulnerable, nurture connections with Israel and Jewish communities globally, and protect and energize Jewish life. We feed the hungry, comfort the sick, care for elderly, and educate our youth. We are your community’s organization problem-solvers and opportunity-makers, committed to ensuring the strength and quality of Jewish life for our children and our children’s children.  

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Community Planning leads the process by which we gather and synthesize information to make resource allocation decisions to move the community closer to the shared Cincinnati 2030 vision. The Director of Community Planning supervises and guides the work of the Director of Allocations and Impact. They also work closely with the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, the Operations Associate, members of The Jewish Foundation staff, and other departments within the Jewish Federation to ensure alignment. The Director of Community Planning reports to the Chief Planning and Engagement Officer.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Manage Director of Allocations and Impact
• Work with outside consultant to lead a Community Strategic Planning process, resulting in clear milestones and deliverables based on the C2030 vision.
• Lead frequent meetings between Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and The Jewish Foundation senior management to ensure alignment and communication
• Set priorities for research and data tracking initiatives based on community strategic plan
• Create and lead workgroups, convening lay and professional leadership based around specific strategic priorities
• Track impact of community programming and initiatives against identified community goals
• Utilize national research to help inform local investments and priorities
• Work in partnership with Chief Marketing and Communications Officer on external communications and measurement implementation
• Communicate clearly and specifically to senior management about key findings of research and measurement 
• Participate in and/or lead eco-system gatherings of key stakeholders

About Community Planning

Community Planning assesses long-term Jewish community needs, identifies priorities, and helps develop action plans. This disciplined process is grounded in data, evidence-based research, consistent metrics, and engages community stakeholders in decisions that impact them.  This requires both a broad and narrow view, meaning one in which we understand the bigger vision while also remaining closely connected to stakeholder needs.

The process of Community Planning is cyclical. It begins, however, with a shared vision (i.e. C2030), and then engages in a cycle of assessing community needs, working with partners and stakeholders to plan response, review progress, and then change, consult and re-plan. This process may be summarized in the following four step process:

1. Data (to shape the issue) 
2. Research the Universe (look to other Jewish communities for ideas)
3. Lean on relationships with partners who could implement ideas (Agency Relations) 
4. Funding (Development) 

The role of the Director of Community Planning is to help create a data culture both within the Jewish Federation and by working closely with grantee agencies to help them measure the impact of their initiatives. They must also translate data to senior management to help guide strategic decisions about community priorities and resource allocation. This includes guiding the research, measurement and impact, and workgroup convening efforts, and supervising the Director of Allocations and Impact. This person also works closely with the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer to apply the data to inform outward facing communication regarding progress of our community vision, C2030.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

• Management experience, with a demonstrated ability to lead and manage staff and teams in major projects or initiatives.
• Ability to synthesize data and research for the purpose of informing high level strategic decision making and resource allocation
• Skilled in data tracking technology with ability to guide others
• Familiar with Collective Impact Framework
• Experience working with volunteers
• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Significant experience in community planning, grant making, or city planning
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Meticulous attention to detail and follow-up.
• Self-starter with demonstrated ability to set goals, tasks, timetables and manage workflow.
• Must be organized, detailed and have ability to multi-task.
• Some early morning meetings, evenings and weekend meetings and events are required.
• Ability to work in and build strong collaborative team, both internally and externally.
• Commitment to the mission of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and knowledge of Jewish customs and practices.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in the above position.