Application Guide

How to Apply for Director, Brand Strategy Flexible U.S.

at AJC

🏢 About AJC

AJC is the premier global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, uniquely positioned at the intersection of diplomacy, policy, and community engagement. Working here means contributing to a century-old mission of protecting Jewish communities worldwide while building cross-cultural partnerships that advance human dignity and democratic values.

About This Role

As Director of Brand Strategy, you'll architect AJC's narrative across diverse audiences—from Jewish community leaders to policymakers—translating complex advocacy work into compelling brand campaigns. This role directly impacts both philanthropic support and policy outcomes by ensuring every communication strengthens AJC's reputation as a trusted global voice.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start by analyzing donor engagement data to refine messaging for a major giving campaign, then pivot to coaching advocacy staff on brand-aligned testimony for a congressional hearing. Your afternoon could involve developing creative concepts for an antisemitism awareness campaign while ensuring the narrative works across social media, partner organizations, and diplomatic channels.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who AJC Is Looking For

  • A brand strategist with 15+ years experience who has successfully aligned brand messaging with both fundraising and advocacy goals in mission-driven organizations
  • Someone who can analyze donor data, policy targets, and cultural trends to create actionable strategies for distinct audience segments (e.g., Jewish community stakeholders vs. policymakers)
  • A leader experienced in coaching internal teams on brand expression while overseeing campaign implementation across multiple platforms
  • A professional with nonprofit/advocacy background who understands how to build brand narratives that advance both safety for Jewish communities and support for Israel

📝 Tips for Applying to AJC

1

Quantify how your brand strategies have driven measurable advocacy outcomes (e.g., 'increased policy engagement by X%') AND philanthropic results in previous roles

2

Demonstrate understanding of AJC's dual audience challenge by providing examples of tailoring narratives to both Jewish community stakeholders and policy targets

3

Highlight experience with 'trusted partnerships'—a core AJC concept—showing how you've built brand credibility through coalition-building

4

Reference specific AJC initiatives (e.g., Project Interchange, ACCESS) to show you understand their unique advocacy model beyond generic nonprofit work

5

Prepare a portfolio showing brand campaigns that balanced emotional storytelling with policy substance, as AJC operates at this intersection

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience translating complex policy/advocacy work into accessible brand narratives that drive both awareness and action', 'Specific examples of aligning brand strategy with dual goals (philanthropic AND policy outcomes) in mission-driven organizations', "How you've coached diverse internal teams to consistently express brand values while adapting to different audience segments", "Your understanding of AJC's unique position as both a Jewish community organization and global diplomatic actor"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → AJC's current 'Global Voice' brand platform and how it's implemented across their 25+ regional offices and international partnerships
  • → Recent AJC advocacy wins (e.g., legislation passed, diplomatic agreements) and how they're communicated to different audiences
  • → The organization's donor base structure—including leadership gifts, federation partnerships, and grassroots supporters—to understand philanthropic dynamics
  • → How AJC's brand differs from other Jewish organizations (ADL, JCRC, etc.) in tone, target audiences, and policy focus areas
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you develop a brand narrative that resonates equally with major donors and policymakers concerned about antisemitism legislation?
2 Describe a time you used audience research to pivot a brand strategy for a nonprofit—what metrics did you track for advocacy vs. fundraising impact?
3 How would you coach AJC's regional directors to maintain brand consistency while addressing locally-specific issues like campus antisemitism or interfaith relations?
4 What cultural/social trends should inform AJC's brand strategy in 2024, particularly regarding perceptions of Israel and Jewish advocacy?
5 Walk us through how you'd structure a 'brand-first' campaign around a specific AJC initiative like protecting Jewish institutions or combating BDS movements
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Presenting generic corporate branding experience without demonstrating how it applies to advocacy/policy contexts
  • Focusing only on marketing/fundraising outcomes without addressing how brand strategy advances policy goals
  • Using one-size-fits-all brand approaches that don't account for AJC's need to speak to both Jewish community insiders and external policy audiences

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to AJC!

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