Senior Director, Planning & Agency Relations

About the Jewish Federation of Detroit:
As the primary instrument of Jewish philanthropy and engagement in the Detroit area, we are a community-driven organization committed to taking care of the needs of the Jewish people and building a vibrant Jewish future, in Detroit, in Israel and around the world.

Position Summary:
The Jewish Federation of Detroit, a leading philanthropic organization serving the Metro Detroit community, is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Director, Planning &

Agency Relations.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role oversees community planning, resource allocation, and agency relations. It identifies emerging needs, shapes strategic priorities, guides community investment decisions, partners with lay leadership, and builds strong relationships with agencies and community organizations. The position also provides analysis, recommendations, and strategic insight to senior leadership to help advance the Federation’s mission and respond effectively to evolving communal needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead community planning efforts to identify emerging needs, priorities, and opportunities across the Jewish community.
• Partner with Federation and lay leadership to develop and implement strategies aligned with organizational and communal priorities.
• Oversee resource allocation and community investment processes by gathering information, assessing needs, analyzing impact, and supporting funding decisions.
• Lead committees focused on planning, allocations, and agency relations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partner agencies and community organizations to foster collaboration and alignment.
• Oversee agency relations, including regular engagement, issue identification, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Coordinate with the Federation’s Director of Business Practices to review agency budgets and other financial reports in support of planning and informed decision-making.
• Supervise staff and promote strong execution and professional growth.
• Develop reports, materials, and recommendations for senior and lay leadership on planning, agency matters, and allocations.
• Oversee the grant writing process and related reporting to the State of Michigan, ensuring timely submissions, compliance, and coordination across internal and agency partners.
• Track trends, needs, and relevant data to inform discussions, strengthen impact analysis, and support decision-making.
• Convene and facilitate meetings with agencies, stakeholders, internal partners, and committees to advance shared goals.
• Support cross-functional collaboration to ensure this work is coordinated with broader organizational priorities.

Requirements & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public policy, social sciences, nonprofit management, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in community planning, agency relations, nonprofit management, philanthropy, human services, or a related field.
• Experience working across disciplines in a complex organization, preferably within a nonprofit, foundation, human service, or Jewish communal setting.
• Strong financial acumen and comfort working with financial and programmatic data, with the ability to partner effectively with the finance team to support planning and allocation decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with professional staff, agency leaders, lay leaders, and community stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking, judgment, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance long-term planning and day-to-day execution.
• Experience leading committees and preparing clear recommendations and materials for a range of audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supervising staff and fostering a collaborative, accountable, and mission-driven team culture.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the Jewish Federation of Detroit and an understanding of the nonprofit and communal landscape.

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