Social Action & Advocacy

Founded in 1906, AJC seeks to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. Among Jewish advocacy organizations, AJC is the leader in the global arena. We are known for our unparalleled access to diplomats, government officials, and faith leaders in more than 100 countries. In addition to our New York headquarters and Office of Policy and Diplomatic Affairs in Washington, D.C., AJC has offices across the U.S. and around the globe and maintains partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide.

The Director of Academic Affairs will oversee AJC’s strategic engagement with university and high school administrators including AJC’s response to campus BDS, Ethnic Studies, and other curricular elements that affect Israel and Jewish students. S/he will also support AJC advocacy in academia and secondary schools, including within academic and educational institutions and organizations, to strengthen Israel and combat antisemitism. This person will focus on developing AJC’s strategy with respect to academic and educational spaces across the agency and serve as the primary interlocutor with university and secondary school administrators.

The Director of Academic Affairs does all this while adhering to AJC’s core values: Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Accountability

Position Responsibilities:

·         Work with university and high school administrators at the highest levels to address issues of antisemitism or anti-Israel rhetoric in academic and educational settings.

·         Establish national guidelines for administrator-focused responses to antisemitism on campuses, including adoption of policies to prevent anti-Israel measures within university leadership.

·         Manage, develop, and maintain a network of relationships with esteemed academic institutions in close coordination with AJC’s Director of William Petschek Contemporary Jewish Life and AJC’s Director of Alexander Young Leadership Department.

·         Launch and manage AJC’s national University Presidents summit and other programs to expose university administrators to education about growing rates of campus antisemitism and the need to adopt appropriate measures.

·         Work closely and create partnerships with and between academic societies, educational organizations, faculty associations, faculty and teacher unions, and school boards to create national guidelines that protect the rights of Jewish students and academics in secondary schools and universities.

·         In coordination with relevant colleagues, serve as the primary contact for administrators as crises arise for Jewish students in U.S. high schools and universities.

·         Help recruit, staff, and run Project Interchange trips that focus on educators and university administrators.

·         Act as a resource to parents or school communities who are facing antisemitism or anti-Israel incidents.

·         Work closely in partnership with the Director of Alexander Young Leadership, to ensure that AJC’s administrator strategy compliments Alexander Young Leadership’s student-focused strategy for young Jewish leaders.

·         Serve as AJC’s expert voice on issues pertaining to secondary school and university administrations.

·         Serve as AJC’s guide on matters of mandatory curriculum standards at the local, state, and federal level including Ethnic Studies and Holocaust studies.

Qualifications:

·         PhD or other advanced degree required.

·         Background or strong familiarity with academia required.

·         7-10 years of work experience in the field of campus affairs, academia, or advocacy.

·         Self-starter who collaborates seamlessly with colleagues both inside and outside AJC.

·         Outstanding written and oral communication skills.

·         Alignment with AJC’s mission and diplomatic style, with knowledge and passion for the organization’s key issues (including Israel, world Jewry, human rights, international relations, foreign policy, and democratic institutions).

·         Strong background and understanding of issues related to Jewish identity, Israel and antisemitism.

·         Ability to multi-task and work on many projects simultaneously

·         Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with staff and lay leadership

·         Ability to work effectively under pressure, make difficult decisions and follow through on agreed upon initiatives.

·         An entrepreneurial mindset; able to identify and pursue opportunities.

AJC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please submit your application to: https://ajchr.wufoo.com/forms/r1radvxr13bt8gx/