AVP of Strategy and Organizational Effectiveness

Overview of AJWS

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is the leading Jewish organization working to fight poverty and pursue justice in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. By supporting hundreds of social change organizations in 14 countries, we respond to the most pressing issues of our time—from disasters, genocide and hunger to the persecution of women and minorities worldwide. With Jewish values and a global reach, AJWS is making a difference in millions of lives and bringing a more just and equitable world closer for all.

Position Summary

The Associate Vice President of Strategy and Organizational Effectiveness is responsible for the

following overarching portfolio areas:

Organizational Strategy. With direction from the President & CEO and Executive Vice President, and often in partnership with the Executive Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and the whole organization, provide strategic conceptualization, leadership, implementation, communication, and accountability to key strategic decisions and moves. This role is the primary lead among staff of strategic planning activities.
Organizational Effectiveness. Facilitate effectiveness and enable the organization to achieve sustainable and business results by partnering with areas of the organization as requested or directed by leadership on refinement of planning, processes, execution, and tracking of workstreams and initiatives. May also provide strategic guidance on information gathering, synthesis, and communication. Draws from experience and knowledge of organizational design, development, and change management to deliver practical solutions that enhance organizational performance at AJWS.
Thought partnership with the Executive Vice President. Together with the Senior Administrative Officer and Executive Vice President, this role is a key and appreciated part of the Office of the Executive Vice President and collaborates closely on all organizational and leadership initiatives.
Research, learning, and sharing. In partnership with various stakeholders, the Associate Vice President for Strategy and Organizational Effectiveness leads our Strategic Learning Research and Evaluation team responsible for learning and sharing related to the impact AJWS is making against its mission, and effectively translates these outcomes into meaningful learning for the organization and the broader community of funders, supporters, evaluators, and more.
Risk Management and Administrative Services. This position oversees our Enterprise Risk Management Function inclusive of international safety and security operations, insurance, contracts, and more. This individual will also oversee facilities and org-wide in-person engagements. This includes management of our midtown Manhattan offices, sub-tenant relationships, and associated hospitality functions. This role will oversee the planning and execution of annual org-wide in-person gatherings.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Lead the project management and execution of all organizational and cross-departmental projects identified by the President and CEO; projects include but are not limited to: developing metrics to evaluate strategic plan initiatives and designing and implementing Cascade practices.
Collaborates with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and managers to develop and execute organizational change management, learning and engagement activities for transformation initiatives impacting the organization.
Design and lead efforts that improve organizational sustainability on various time horizons with a focus on operational efficiencies and strategic alignments.
Work closely with EVP and CEO on issues related to board engagement.
Leads the development of metrics and documents illustrating the progress of ongoing projects and organizational led activities.
Oversee SLRE strategy to guide learning, reflection, and improvement of SLRE’s contribution to AJWS, and direct allocation of human and financial resources to achieve this.
Ensure all SLRE data collection and analysis informs decisions and actions in regard to allocation of AJWS human and financial resources, strengthening strategy, and expanding and sustaining AJWS impact.
Design, direct and manage key SLRE processes and initiatives: examples include guiding process, decision-making, and technical assistance to support Programs Division strategy development, leading agenda setting and facilitation of annual/biennial regional and global learning retreats, leading participatory conceptualization and design of new measurement systems.
Lead the staff and other key stakeholders in establishing metrics for all AJWS programs –including effectiveness indicators and performance evaluation tracking plans that flow from the strategic plan and overarching organizational goals.
Coaches and supports AJWS staff through designing conversations and tools that can help further maximize organizational effectiveness.
Assist in internal communications across AJWS to ensure enterprise-wide transparency and clarity, helping information flow coherently and clearly through the organization.
Assist President & CEO and EVP in drafting communications related to strategy and operations.
Other duties and projects as assigned by the EVP and President & CEO.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required. A degree in Organizational Development, Industrial/Organizational psychology, or related business degree preferred.
Minimum 7-10 years of experience in organizational effectiveness with demonstrated increasing levels of responsibility and a successful track record of effectively solving business challenges.
Excellent program, project, and process management skills with varying degrees of complexity, high degree of risk, and resource management.
Demonstrated success in implementing all aspects of strategic learning, research, and evaluation–design, monitoring, analysis, synthesis, report writing and editing, peer learning, and group facilitation.
Demonstrated success in commissioning research and evaluation, ideally in human rights philanthropy/grant-making.
Demonstrated success in supporting learning and its implementation with a focus on translating research and/or evaluation findings into action.
Demonstrated fluency in the design and implementation of monitoring systems to drive strategic decision-making.
Proven experience in transferring strategic learning, research, and evaluation knowledge and skills, and developing this capacity in others.
Proven management experience, with the ability to oversee a wide range of functions and leverage internal and external resources to maximize quality of service provided; preferably in a not-for-profit environment.
Thoroughly understand American Jewish World Service, its mission, policies, culture, values, history, key stakeholders, programs, and finance.
Outstanding communication skills with audiences of all levels (writing in particular).
Excellent oral and presentation skills; ability to negotiate, influence and persuade.
Strong listening skills and ability to connect with others.
High level of situational awareness to assess impacts of organizational change.
Strong ability to influence in situations without formal authority and push back when appropriate.
Experience with handling ambiguous and rapidly changing priorities.
Demonstrated capacity to take initiative and resolve problems.
Experience working on multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

Additional Information:

Salary Range: $134,500 – $175,00
This role is full time (40 HRS), Exempt
This is not a union position

Location:

Remote – US-based, location-specific (NY-metro area)

*This role is flexible in nature, having some responsibilities that can be performed virtually from a home office and some responsibilities that must be performed in person at AJWS Global Headquarters.

Compensation and Benefits Information

AJWS is committed to a salary framework that aligns with our culture and values. The compensation range reflected is in alignment with our framework, and individual pay decisions will vary based on skills and experience while still allowing for growth.
Paid Time Off: 15-22 Federal and religious holidays off each year in addition to generous vacation and sick days;
Full health benefits coverage with minimal contribution by employees;
403(b): 4.25% company match (safe harbor);
Flexible Spending Account and Commuter Benefits;
Workplace flexibility and generous leave policy.

Additional Considerations

Black, Indigenous and People of Color; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Intersex, Trans and Gender non-conforming people; women; and differently abled people are encouraged to apply. We also encourage applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual and cultural backgrounds.

As an organization committed to promoting social justice around the world, it is essential that we incorporate a diverse, equitable and inclusive lens into all aspects of our work at AJWS. We encourage applicants with a global perspective and a commitment to values around diversity, equity, and inclusion to apply.

AUTHORIZATION TO WORK IN THE U.S. IS REQUIRED.

How to Apply

For immediate consideration, apply below. Applications submitted without a resume and personalized cover letter will not be considered. We thank you for your interest in career opportunities with AJWS. Due to high volume, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.