Program Director, Capital J

Program Director, Capital J - Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center

Employment type: Full-time, year-round, salaried

Location: Washington, DC; in-person/hybrid

Experience: Minimum of 4 years

Salary: Beginning at $75,000, commensurate with experience

About:

The Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center (EDCJCC) is the Jewish community’s address in our nation’s capital. Guided by Jewish values and heritage, the EDCJCC engages individuals and families through its cultural, recreational, educational, and social justice programs. We welcome people of all backgrounds to connect, learn, serve, and be entertained together in ways the reflect the unique role of the Center in the nation’s capital.

Position Overview

The EDJCC is looking for a Program Director to build and oversee a bold new program called Capital J, which will enable our Center to realize its potential as the JCC of the nation’s capital. Capital J will host prominent Jewish voices from politics, culture, business, and the arts to share their perspectives and explore what it means to be an American Jew in our present moment. Each talk will serve as the foundation for a larger ecosystem of programming that fosters ongoing engagement and dialogue within our existing community, while also driving growth to reach new audiences.

This inaugural Program Director will report directly to the Chief Experience Officer (CXO) and be responsible for all elements of designing, launching, and growing this groundbreaking new program. This role is perfect for someone looking to dream big and create something that hasn’t existed before, but who is also capable of rolling up their sleeves and implementing the strategy.

Goals

By the end of the Y3 of Capital J, the Program Director should expect to have developed:

• • Regular calendar of talks with top-tier guests
  • Robust ecosystem of events based around the speakers (e.g., salons, social networks, reading groups, curated dinners)
  • Form for dissemination of Capital J content (e.g., published collection of essays, podcast)
  • Significant expansion of the community members engaged by the EDCJCC
  • Elevation of the EDCJCC’s local and national profile
  • Stable business model that contributes to the future financial security of the program

Responsibilities

The Program Director will be responsible for, among other things:

• • Program development and strategy
  • Execute the overall vision and strategy for Capital J in collaboration with the CXO
  • Create an annual programming calendar of diverse speakers across politics, culture, the arts, and business, along with creative and engaging auxiliary programs
  • Cultivate and develop the network of Jewish changemakers across government, the public sector, and business who will become Capital J’s audience
  • Stakeholder management
  • Work with donors and donor prospects, board members, EDCJCC executives, and other lay leaders in our community to generate buy in and support the mission
  • Collaborate across departments at the EDCJCC, particularly with our marketing and advancement functions
  • Build partnerships with literary agencies, speakers' bureaus, arts organizations, and cultural institutions
  • Speaker management & event production
  • Research, identify, and secure compelling speakers aligned with program objectives
  • Negotiate speaker contracts, fees, and logistics
  • Oversee all event logistics including venue setup, audiovisual needs, and hospitality
  • Manage speaker relationships before, during, and after events
  • Financial management
  • Develop and manage program budget
  • Create sustainable revenue models through ticket sales, sponsorships, and partnerships
  • Identify and pursue grants or donor funding opportunities in partnership with our development team
  • Track and report on financial performance
  • Marketing & community engagement
  • Work with marketing team to develop promotion strategies and budgets for each event
  • Build and maintain relationships with community partners and cultural organizations
  • Develop audience engagement strategies to build a loyal following
  • Oversee content creation for program marketing materials
  • Administrative & operations
  • Establish and report on program goals, metrics, and evaluation methods
  • Create processes and playbooks for smooth program operation

Qualifications & Skills

• • 4+ years of experience in program management, even production, or cultural programming
  • Proven track record of successfully developing and managing complex programs or event series
  • Experience running various in-person event formats
  • Experience with budget management and revenue generation
  • Strong network of professional contacts in relevant fields (arts, culture, media, etc.) with the ability to leverage their and our communities to bring top talent to the EDCJCC
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Experience negotiating contracts and managing vendor relationships
  • Knowledge of the local cultural landscape and community
  • Thought leadership, with a strong sense of what issues matter in our current moment and which changemakers can speak to our community
  • Ability to exist in the ‘big ideas’ space but also brings attention to detail
  • Strategic thinking and program development capabilities
  • Strong project management and organizational skills
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work with high-profile individuals
  • Problem solving and crisis management abilities

Salary, Benefits, & Work Requirements

• • Full-time, year-round, salaried
  • Competitive salary (beginning at $75,000) in the non-profit marketplace
  • The Edlavitch DCJCC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance paid time off, a 401K, and transportation benefits
  • Access to free or highly discounted EDCJCC programs, such as Fitness Center and pool membership, language classes, theater productions, film screenings, concerts, volunteer opportunities, and more. Discounts on preschool and early childhood programs
  • This position can be fully in-person or hybrid. The EDCJCC requires staff to be in-person in the Washington, DC office a minimum of three (3) days a week
  • Occasional evening and weekend work required

To Apply

Send an email with the subject line “Program Director of Capital J” with your cover letter, resume, and a panel proposal to jbordwin@edcjcc.org. Panel proposals should include a theme or topic, 1-3 speakers, and a short explanation of what this conversation would contribute to our community. Applications not submitted via this method will not be considered. Phone calls will not be returned; only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Frequently cited statistics show that women, trans and nonbinary people, and other structurally marginalized groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. The EDCJCC encourages you to break that statistic and to apply. No one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. We look forward to your application. The EDCJCC is an equal opportunity employer.