Director of External Affairs, Immigration Services

Position Title: Director of External Affairs, Immigration Services

Organization: Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Department: Immigration Services

Position Type: Full-Time (37.5+ hours/week), Exempt

Work Setting: Hybrid

Reports To: Chief Advancement Officer

Pay Range: $110,000- $120,000/year

Total Compensation:  

In addition to standard pay, compensation for this position includes:

• Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees


• Generous employer 401(k) contributions


• Employer-covered life insurance

Time Away from Work:

Being able to take time away from work is critical in bringing your best self to work. Time off benefits for this position include:

• Paid vacation time and sick leave


• 15 paid holidays, including Federal and Jewish holidays (as long as the holiday lands on a normal scheduled work day), and floating holidays


• 2 Wellness Days to be taken any time during the year to support employees’ mental wellness

Position Overview:

JFS is looking for a dynamic and experienced Director of External Affairs to lead our external communications and strategic partnerships efforts within the Immigration Services sector. In this role, you have the opportunity to use your skills, knowledge and experience to make a meaningful difference in your community and help improve lives across San Diego. The Director of External Affairs, Immigration Services plays an integral role on the team and supports the entire agency by working with donors and other JFS stakeholders to continue to position JFS/San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN) as national leaders in welcoming non-citizens with dignity and compassion. This position will play a pivotal role in advancing JFS’s mission by managing a portfolio of key donors who are focused on immigration.   This position reports directly to the Chief Advancement Officer and works closely with other members of the Development and Immigration teams.

Responsibilities:

• Resource Development – Manage a portfolio of 50-75 donors who support immigration causes, including JFS/SDRRN. Additionally, identify funding opportunities, write grant proposals, and cultivate relationships with donors and funders to support our external relations initiatives. Together, with others, develop immigration-related donor engagement opportunities and events for all JFS immigration donors


• Strategic Partnerships – Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders in the immigration services sector to further our mission and objectives. Serve as project manager for collaborative efforts with local, national, and international NGOs and external communications such as the creation of white papers and impact advocacy projects alongside coalition partners


• External Communications – Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive external communication strategies to enhance our organization’s visibility, reputation, and impact. This includes managing media relations, public relations, social media, and other communication channels. Play an active role in assisting JFS’s Public Relations firm with media requests, press releases, statements, sign-on letters, government meetings, coalition engagements, and more


• Advocacy and Policy Engagement – Monitor immigration policy developments, identify advocacy opportunities, and lead efforts to advocate for and expand existing policies that promote immigrant rights, fair immigration processes, and inclusive communities. Stan constantly up to date on large and nuanced changes in border and immigration policy


• Community Engagement – Engage with immigrant communities, grassroots organizations, and other stakeholders to understand their needs, provide support, and foster collaboration. Attend city, county, state, national, and other organization convener meetings on behalf of JFS/SDRRN and speak on behalf of the Immigration Services Team


• Event Management – Plan, coordinate, and execute events, forums, and conferences to raise awareness about immigration issues, showcase our services, and facilitate dialogue among stakeholders. Serve as the team lead to convene community briefings and keep partners and other stakeholders up to date on JFS/SDRRN services, advocacy, and the implications of border and immigration policies. Staff the SDRRN Steering Committee and CA Welcoming Task Force meetings


• Collaboration with Internal Teams – Collaborate closely with internal teams including legal, outreach, and programmatic teams to align and establish external relations efforts with organizational goals and priorities. Provide leadership and guidance to the internal team including JFS Advancement, Marketing, and other key departments about the work for JFS/SDRRN immigration, shelter and impact advocacy work to ensure awareness and resource development

Skills/Experience/Abilities That Are a Must-Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, International Relations, Political Science, or a related field


• Must have a valid CA driver’s license, a reliable automobile, insurance, and willingness to drive off-site/travel throughout San Diego County.


• Minimum of 5 years of experience in external relations, public relations, advocacy, or related fields, preferably in the immigration services sector


• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a frontline fundraiser managing a portfolio, including soliciting and stewarding gifts and implementing donor engagement opportunities


• Strong understanding of immigration policy, issues, and trends


• Proven track record of building and maintaining strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for different audiences


• Demonstrated experience in media relations, social media management, and other communication channels


• Commitment to working flexible hours to ensure that the work can get done in the mot impactful and meaningful way possible


• Ability to think strategically, analyze complex issues, and develop creative solutions


• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire team members

Skills/Abilities We’d Like You to Have:

• Experience in event management, resource development, and grant writing is a plus


• Fluency in languages other than English is desirable

Important Notice:

Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Please, no phone calls. Please, principals only. Please, local candidates only (relocation is not provided).

About Jewish Family Service of San Diego
Jewish Family Service of San Diego is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, more resilient community.  For over 100 years, Jewish Family Service has been a trusted resource for the entire community, offering an array of services that are always life-changing, and often life-saving.  At Jewish Family Service, we believe our employees are the backbone of our Agency.  We strive to ensure that each employee is treated with dignity and respect.  Our goal is your success.  Come work at JFS and be our partner in Moving Forward Together.  To learn more about JFS, please visit jfssd.org. 

*Jewish Family Service is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.