ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW 

As the largest funder of Jewish causes in California, the Jewish Federation Bay Area connects donors, changemakers, and community partners to build a thriving, resilient future. The Federation serves as a trusted partner and advisor for those seeking to make an impact today while shaping a better tomorrow. We invest in education, social services, and security while mobilizing crisis relief worldwide. With over a century of leadership, we empower individuals and families to give strategically, building a thriving and resilient future for generations to come. Whether strengthening Jewish life in the Bay Area, safeguarding communities worldwide, or ensuring a safe and democratic Israel, we empower people to take meaningful action that echoes for generations.

The Federation is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual with a variety of skill sets who wants to join a team working to build a new model of 21st century and next generation Federation engagement.

ROLE SUMMARY 

The Manager, Leadership Development is a new role responsible for designing, facilitating, and executing programs that engage the next generation of Jewish philanthropic leaders who are ready to deepen their connection to the Federation, Bay Area Jewish community, and consider intentional giving. This person will identify, cultivate, and recruit emerging leaders into Federation programs and national opportunities, facilitate cohort-based leadership experiences, and serve as the primary liaison to national partner organizations. The role requires exceptional group facilitation skills, strong program design abilities, comfort with philanthropy and fundraising, and the genuine ability to build relationships with emerging donors and leaders. 

This role reports to the Senior Director, Leadership Development, and manages an active program budget. The Manager will be expected to be in the office three days a week (Tue-Thru).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Building and Cultivating the Pipeline 

• Develop and implement strategies for identifying and engaging emerging Jewish philanthropic leaders ages 30–50, deepening their relationship with the Federation and the broader Jewish community 
• Serve as a connector across the Federation's leadership programs, matching individuals to the pathway that best fits their interests and readiness — giving circles, cohort programs, JFNA Young Leadership Cabinet, Wexner Heritage Fellowship, or other opportunities 
• Build and maintain relationships with emerging leaders across the Federation ecosystem — program alumni, event attendees, and referrals from lay leaders and board members 
• Identify, cultivate, and recruit prospective participants for Federation leadership programs and national opportunities; e.g. identify and recommend prospects for governance roles on the Next Gen Engagement Task Force, Jewish Impact Committee, and other relevant structures 
• Staff the Next Gen Engagement Task Force: drive day-to-day coordination, action planning, and follow-through; partner with lay co-chairs to produce 1–2 community-focused events per year 
• Maintain Salesforce to track engagement touchpoints, pipeline status, and alumni relationships across all assigned programs 
• Partner with Federation philanthropy teams to connect program participants and alumni to Federation giving opportunities, including donor-advised funds 

Program Design & Delivery 

• Facilitate the Young Jewish Fund (YJF), managing recruitment, session and event facilitation, grantmaking, gift tracking, and participant relationship management 
• Design and facilitate 1–2 pop-up giving circles per year, strategically integrated into cohort programs or other engagement opportunities, managing the full grantmaking process 
• Co-design and facilitate cohort-based leadership programs with the Senior Director, including a program advancing leadership development and Jewish philanthropic understanding for community leaders ages 35–50 
• Design and facilitate immersive programming, including domestic and international travel that deepens participants' connection to Jewish life, global community, and Federation priorities 
• Evaluate program effectiveness continuously using participant feedback and outcomes data; use findings to improve design and delivery 
• Manage the day-to-day program budget and track expenditures; report to the Senior Director 

Partnerships 

• Serve as the Federation's primary liaison to JFNA Young Leadership Cabinet: coordinate nominations, manage participant relationships, and support ongoing local engagement throughout the program and beyond 
• Build and steward the Federation's relationship with the Wexner Heritage Foundation: identify and maintain a candidate pipeline, and participate in 1–2 alumni engagement activities per year 
• Maintain relationships with JFNA national programs including Women's Philanthropy, implementing programming and communication strategies for existing and prospective participants 
• Collaborate with the Integrated Philanthropy and Events teams to design and execute engagement opportunities for targeted audiences including young adults and women philanthropists 

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES 

Required 

• Genuine relationship-builder with the warmth and credibility to connect with individuals ages 30–50 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Must be comfortable with public speaking 
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously without losing quality 
• Experience with or strong familiarity with the Jewish communal ecosystem 
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends, as that is when participants are available and events take place 
• Ability and willingness to travel two to three times per year, including to international destinations, in support of immersive program experiences 

Preferred 

• Demonstrated expertise in group facilitation: the ability to hold a room, create psychological safety, move a group from conversation to committed action, and facilitate deliberation and grantmaking processes 
• Strong program design skills, with experience building or co-building cohort-based or experiential programs 
• Familiarity with JFNA national programs: Young Leadership Cabinet, Wexner Heritage, Women’s Philanthropy, and related offerings 
• Experience working with CRM systems such as Salesforce 
• Background in adult education, Jewish education, or organizational development 
• Experience working with volunteer committees or lay leader-driven groups 
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, equity, and belonging within Jewish communal life 
• Access to reliable transportation for evening and weekend program events across the Bay Area 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree 
• 5+ years of experience in leadership development, community engagement, philanthropy/development, or a related field 

Salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits — medical, dental, vision, vacation, sick pay, holidays (including Jewish), and retirement plan.

EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

The Federation views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a company culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible talent pool to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. The Jewish Federation Bay Area is an equal opportunity employer.