Chief Strategy & Impact Officer at Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Chief Strategy & Impact Officer is responsible for shaping and advancing the organization’s strategic vision while ensuring that its investments and initiatives deliver meaningful, measurable impact. This role provides leadership over the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategic priorities, aligning resources and programs to achieve long-term organizational goals.

With oversight of key internal initiatives and funding strategies, the Chief Strategy & Impact Officer ensures that programs are effectively designed, executed, and continuously improved to meet evolving community needs. Equally important, this role champions a culture of learning and transparency by translating research, data, and outcomes into clear, compelling narratives that engage donors, stakeholders, and the broader public.

Serving as a critical partner to senior leadership, the Chief Strategy & Impact Officer helps position the organization for sustained growth, innovation, and impact.

Job responsibilities include:

• Responsible for the annual distribution of approximately $12 million that is granted to organizations.
• Oversight of resource allocations and operations of internal programs, such as camp and Israel travel scholarships as well as local Israel engagement programming.
• Develop research strategies to identify needs and understand impact of services.
• Analyze relevant local, national, and global data/needs in order to develop effective strategic and funding plans to meet community needs
• Meet with Jewish community leaders to discuss local, national, and global needs/strategies and secure support for community solutions.
• Ensure research findings and funding outcomes are communicated through a variety of channels to donors, the broader community, and public audiences.
• Staff and lead the Federation’s Planning and Resourcing Commission (PRC) and set multi-year priorities, goals and methods for evaluating and reporting on results.
• Staff and lead the Emergency Response Committee that addresses crises in the local and global community, determines Federation involvement and fundraising, and allocates raised dollars.
• Work with lay committees to develop plans for meeting the Federation’s organizational and communal priorities.
• Provide strategic direction and forward thinking insight to the President and CEO and Federation Board on local priorities and planning for future communal needs.
• Provide oversight of the Strategy and Impact Department in evaluating funded programs, guiding the PRC and funded organizations to utilize data, and implementing a regular research and development agenda for the Federation.
• Support all Federation departments by providing high-level information around priorities, funded initiatives, outcome data, and financial return on investment to solicit, engage, and retain donors.
• Work to build strong partnerships with communal organizations in support of furthering Federation’s vision.
• Work to engage with partner agencies to build strong relationships to further the Federation’s mission.
• Assist leadership and the fundraising department in support of bringing in additional resources to the Jewish Federation through education, one-on-one interaction and solicitations.

• At least five years of experience working across disciplines in executing high level strategy in a complex, political environment.
• Previous experience as a Chief Strategy & Impact Officer preferred, or a similar position with the same level of responsibility and relevant job requirements.
• Excellent strategic thinking skills, with the ability to operationalize concepts and transform ideas into action as well as apply research findings to ongoing program development.
• Knowledge of research and current trends in philanthropy.
• Experience and/or familiarity with Jewish philanthropy is preferred.
• At least five years’ experience managing and developing staff.
• Excellent public speaking skills with the ability to work effectively within a team, lead a committee of lay professionals, and collaborate effectively across the organization.
• Exceptional project management, prioritization, and planning skills, with demonstrated success producing high quality deliverables on time and within budget.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with Federation executives and volunteer chairs, as well as other Federation staff, and external audiences.
• In-depth knowledge of evidence-based practices in social services, Jewish communal and educational work, philanthropic trends, as well as in-depth knowledge of the communities served by Federation.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills. Knowledge of research methods and program evaluation.
• Strong supervisory skills to sustain performance, encourage growth and maintain a mutually supportive working environment.
• A deep personal commitment to Jewish values and knowledge of Jewish traditions.
• Knowledge of the Jewish Federation system and the Jewish philanthropic community is helpful.
• As needed, qualified candidate must be able to travel across the five counties of Greater Philadelphia for meetings with grantees, funders, and donors.
• Travel to Israel may be required to conduct site visits and meetings with funded organizations annually.
• Reliable means of transportation required.

Education & Training Requirements:

• Advanced degree in business, organizational development, public policy, social sciences, nonprofit management, or related field, or equivalent job experience.
• Coursework and knowledge of Jewish education and engagement trends and historical practices.
• Training or coursework in advanced research methods and program evaluation, or equivalent job experience.

Work Environment:

• Travel across the five counties of Greater Philadelphia for meetings with grantees, funders, and donors may be required. Travel to Israel may be required on an annual basis, in order to conduct site visits and meetings with funded organizations.
• While subject to change, the current hybrid policy requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the Philadelphia office, with the option of working 3 days remotely.

Overview

Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including a hybrid work schedule, medical, dental, vision, prescription drug program, life insurance, generous paid time off and 403b retirement savings program.

Our Mission

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia mobilizes financial and volunteer resources to address the communities’ most critical priorities locally, in Israel and around the world.

Commitment to Diversity

We deeply value the diversity of insight, perspective, and experience brought by people from backgrounds typically underrepresented in Jewish institutions. This includes Black, Latinx, and Asian people, Black Jews, Jews of Color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities. We also welcome applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds.

About the Organization:

Since 1901, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has served as the hub of the region’s Jewish communities, providing an infrastructure of support for Jewish people and organizations in need. Through grants, emergency funding, restricted gifts, endowments, and our partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Day Schools, we care for those in need, combat antisemitism and global crisis, and strengthen Jewish identity.

Benefits

Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including a hybrid work schedule, medical, dental, vision, prescription drug program, life insurance, generous paid time off and 403b retirement savings program.