Executive Director, RootOne

POSITION SPECIFICATION

Title:

Executive Director, Root One

Organization:
The Jewish Education Project

Location:

New York, NY (Preferred)

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

Root One is a leading initiative dedicated to expanding participation in and strengthening the impact of immersive Israel travel experiences for North American Jewish teens. Through strategic investments, educational innovation, and partnerships, Root One helps thousands of young people each year participate in transformative, identity-building experiences that deepen their connection to Israel and the Jewish people and prepare them to navigate and engage confidently in campus and community life.

Working with a broad network of youth organizations, educational institutions, camps, communities, and travel providers across North America and Israel, Root One has become a driving force in teen Israel engagement. Through its voucher program, Root One expands access for thousands of Jewish teens each year while advancing the field through research, educational innovation, and thought leadership.

Powered by The Jewish Education Project, Root One was seeded by a generous gift from The Marcus Foundation and is sustained by a growing community of philanthropic partners.

At a pivotal moment for Israel engagement and identity building, Root One seeks an entrepreneurial and visionary leader to serve as its next Executive Director.

The Executive Director will provide strategic and operational leadership for an approximately $35M initiative at the vanguard of efforts to strengthen the connection between Jewish teens, Israel, and Jewish life. Leading a talented team across North America and Israel, this individual will foster innovation, elevate Root One's profile, and serve as its primary representative and advocate across the Jewish communal landscape.

Reporting to the CEO of The Jewish Education Project, the Executive Director will lead Root One's next phase of growth and impact, advancing an ambitious vision while overseeing operations. Working closely with leading philanthropic, educational, and communal partners across North America and Israel, this individual will strengthen partnerships, influence, and organizational capacity needed to expand Root One's reach, deepen its impact, and further establish it as a leading force in teen Israel engagement.

• Strategic Leadership:
  Setting Vision & Expanding Impact
  • Shape and advance Root One's vision and strategy, deepening impact, expanding reach, strengthening communal influence, and establishing Root One as a household name in teen Israel engagement.
  • Partner with organizational leadership, funders, and stakeholders to align priorities, drive execution, and maximize impact.
  • Drive growth in participation and long-term impact, expanding opportunities for Jewish teens.
• External Leadership:
  Engaging Stakeholders & Building Influence
  • Serve as Root One’s chief public ambassador, elevating visibility, brand recognition, and influence across sectors.
  • Build and strengthen strategic relationships with major funders, foundations, communal leaders, and partners.
  • Convene and inspire partners around a shared vision for teen Israel engagement.
• Organizational Leadership:
  Building Capacity & Delivering Results
  • Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing team and build talent and culture to support growth.
  • Strengthen governance and advisory structures in support of strategic priorities.
  • Provide executive oversight of operations, planning, budgeting, and performance management.

• Executive Management & Strategic Leadership – Demonstrated success leading and growing an organization or venture with responsibility for strategy, operations, financial stewardship, team leadership, and measurable results.
• Governance & Stakeholder Engagement – Experience working with boards, funders, and senior partners, navigating governance structures, and aligning diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic Partnerships & Market Influence – Track record of building high-value partnerships and convening senior stakeholders with ability to influence shared goals.
• Program Strategy & Impact –…