IAC Director of Government Relations

About the Israeli American Council: 

The mission of the IAC is to build an engaged and united Israeli American community that strengthens: the Israeli and Jewish identity of our next generations, the American Jewish community and the bond between the peoples of the United States and the State of Israel.

Position Overview:

The IAC Director of Government Relations leads IAC’s government relations, policy, and civic engagement strategy to strengthen Israeli-American representation in public life and advance IAC’s advocacy priorities, including combating antisemitism. This role develops and implements policy initiatives, builds relationships with officials at all levels of government, and creates infrastructure for community advocacy and coalition work. The Director reports to the Chief Programming Officer and works closely with senior leadership, communications and program teams to align government relations strategy with IAC’s broader mission. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

Government Relations, Policy, and External Affairs

• Serve as IAC’s primary liaison to government offices and policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Build and maintain bipartisan relationships with elected officials, agency leaders, and government stakeholders.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and policy developments affecting the Israeli-American community; advise leadership on opportunities, risks, and recommended action.
• Develop and lead IAC’s policy and advocacy agenda; draft policy briefs and position papers.
• Plan and staff official meetings, briefings, and hearings, including preparation of talking points, agendas, and follow-up.

• Create documents that articulate IAC’s position on legislative priorities that impact the Jewish and Israeli community
• Track key political and policy developments at the local, state, and federal levels that may impact the Jewish and Israeli-American community and brief IAC leadership as appropriate.
• Support the development of legislative and policy agendas aligned with IAC’s priorities, in coordination with partner organizations where appropriate.

Civic Engagement, Coalitions, and Community Advocacy

• Recruit, train, and manage volunteer civic leaders who can represent IAC and mobilize their communities.
• Build relationships with advocacy organizations, community partners, and coalition groups; represent IAC in public forums and joint advocacy efforts.
• Develop practical tools that make it easy for community members to engage officials and participate in advocacy.

• Create a plan to educate IAC community on local elections
• Collaborate with other leading Jewish organizations on defining legislative priorities that impact the Jewish and Israeli community
• Coordinate events and talks with local government officials and the IAC community
• Develop training materials and advocacy toolkits to support community members engaging with elected officials and participating in civic processes.
• Help organize community participation in meetings, hearings, and civic forums when issues affecting the community arise.

Antisemitism Response and Community Protection

• Maintain government relationships on civil rights, hate crimes, and community safety; coordinate rapid response when needed.
• Coordinate with partner organizations and coalitions on government-facing advocacy related to antisemitism.

• Work with relevant government agencies and community organizations to support initiatives that improve the safety and security of Jewish institutions and communities.

Communications, Planning, and Internal Leadership

• Partner with Communications on messaging, op-eds, public statements, and campaigns that support advocacy and civic engagement priorities.
• Set annual goals, work plans, and metrics and work with the IAC Board committee on Fighting Antisemitism and Civic Engagement; report progress to senior leadership and lay leaders.
• Build and maintain a relationship-management system to track contacts, touchpoints, and outcomes.
• Support development efforts by articulating strategy, outcomes, and impact for funders and stakeholders.

• Provide regular internal updates and briefings to IAC leadership on government relations activity, policy developments, and community engagement efforts.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in: Public policy, Political Science, Law, or a related field.
• 5 to 8+ years of experience in government relations, public affairs, policy, advocacy, or political organizing.
• Demonstrated success building relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and coalitions.
• Strong knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes at local, state, and federal levels.
• Excellent writing and briefing skills, including policy briefs, talking points, and executive updates.
• Ability to build volunteer infrastructure and execute programs across multiple regions.
• Comfort working in a bipartisan environment with strong political judgment and discretion.
• Action-oriented and able to handle multiple priorities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with donors, council members, staff, and community organizations.
• Willingness to travel nationally (up to 10% of time) and work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Very good level of conversational Hebrew; reading and writing proficiency is a plus but not required.

Preferred

• Advanced degree (Master’s, JD, or equivalent) in a relevant field.
• Experience in Jewish communal, community relations, or civil rights work.
• Familiarity with antisemitism policy issues and community security coordination.
• Deep knowledge of Israeli culture and strong familiarity with Israeli-American community dynamics.

**Full-time employees working 20 plus hours per week shall be eligible for insurance benefits (medical, dental, vision, & life) following the new hire waiting period.