Manager/Sr. Manager, Leadership Development

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.

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

• 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

Education and Experience

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

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.