Planning Director, Network

About the Organization:

UJA-Federation of New York is the largest local philanthropy in the world. For more than 100 years, we’ve brought New Yorkers together to solve some of the most pressing problems facing our community. Thanks to our network of hundreds of non-profits, we can leverage our expertise across any number of areas — including health and human services, arts and culture, and education — to care for Jews everywhere and New Yorkers of all backgrounds, respond to crises close to home and far away, and shape our Jewish future. Our reach extends from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year.

Position Summary

The planning director oversees the strategic and operational management of the department in close partnership with the Managing Director and the Director of Agency Financial Oversight. The Planning Director is responsible for managing a diverse portfolio, overseeing departmental planning across content areas, supervising planning and administrative staff, and staffing lay committees.  In addition, the planning director stays closely connected to the work of other departments within CPER and leads strategic efforts that cut across the planning division.

 Major Responsibilities

1. Lead strategic thinking and plans for the range of issues related to the department’s work, strategic directions, and allocations, and help guide and frame the long-range direction for initiatives.
2. Facilitate or participate in interdepartmental activities, develop action plans, and implement projects, as well as assuming the leadership position of key content areas and initiatives.
3. Staff the Network Planning Committee, advancing critical work in current priority areas: environmental sustainability, community relations and bridgebuilding, and supporting efforts to combat antisemitism on campus and within UJA’s network.
4. Supervise and mentor the Network Department’s planning associate and coordinator and ensure projects are effectively prioritized.
5. Cultivate and maintain relationships with departmental leadership. Work alongside Managing Director to develop agenda for Network Cabinet.
6. Convene and lead ad hoc lay groups, as needed.
7. Design and lead staff development within the team, including retreats, site visits, and other learning opportunities.
8. Stay informed about current issues in the Jewish community, nonsectarian nonprofit sector, and trends in philanthropy to increase knowledge, understand contexts, and promote innovative and creative approaches to areas of responsibility, as well as serve as a resource to UJA-Federation and its network of agencies.
9. May be assigned to manage specific content areas and other additional projects or tasks as assigned by the managing director.

Requisite Competencies and Experience

1. 10+ years of related experience in the field.
2. Ability to think critically, generate ideas and advance all priorities.
3. Ability to focus simultaneously on the big picture and on the details.
4. Track record of creative problem solving, especially in situations that involve multiple constituencies and interests.
5. Effective collaborator and interpersonal skills that allow for success with diverse temperaments and varying work styles.
6. Ability to write and speak clearly and with conviction.
7. The knowledge, skills, and stature to represent the Network Department internal and external forums and to speak about its general and specific work.
8. Comfort with a fast-paced, multidimensional environment.
9. Knowledge of UJA-Federation’s network of agencies.

Salary range: $115K-$125K commensurate with experience.