Application Guide

How to Apply for Portfolio Associate

at Common Era

🏢 About Common Era

Common Era is a unique funder and R&D platform focused on evolving Jewish experiences to meet contemporary needs, funding initiatives that expand Jewish reality for new audiences. They offer the opportunity to work at the intersection of cultural innovation, philanthropy, and community building in a forward-thinking environment.

About This Role

As Portfolio Associate, you'll coordinate projects from idea through execution to learning, ensuring smooth transitions and clear deliverables across Common Era's initiatives. This role is impactful because you'll directly support the translation of innovative ideas into tangible programs that shape the future of Jewish cultural experiences.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve coordinating project timelines across multiple initiatives, moderating partner communications on Slack, translating new ideas into actionable plans, and preparing for virtual network gatherings. You'll balance detailed project tracking with relationship-building activities that support Common Era's expanding network.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Common Era Is Looking For

  • Has 2-4 years in fast-paced, idea-rich environments like philanthropy, cultural production, or startups, with proven ability to manage multiple workstreams
  • Demonstrates exceptional communication and synthesis skills, able to translate complex ideas into clear scopes and timelines
  • Is highly organized, curious, and comfortable with evolving goals, showing strong interpersonal instincts for relationship-building with diverse partners
  • Possesses experience moderating community communications (Slack, newsletters) and coordinating virtual/in-person gatherings

📝 Tips for Applying to Common Era

1

Highlight specific examples of coordinating projects from idea to execution in cultural, philanthropic, or innovation contexts

2

Demonstrate your ability to work with evolving systems by describing how you've adapted processes in previous roles

3

Showcase experience with partner relationship-building and community moderation, especially in Jewish or cultural contexts

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize synthesis skills - how you've translated complex ideas into actionable plans

5

Research Common Era's current initiatives and reference specific projects you find compelling in your application

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your experience in fast-paced, idea-rich environments and how you've managed multiple workstreams simultaneously", 'Specific examples of translating approved ideas into clear scopes, timelines, and deliverables', 'Your approach to relationship-building with diverse partners and moderating community communications', "Why you're drawn to Common Era's mission of evolving Jewish experiences for contemporary audiences"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Common Era's current portfolio of funded initiatives and their stated impact goals
  • → The organization's public communications (newsletters, social media) to understand their tone and community engagement style
  • → Background on Jewish cultural innovation spaces and contemporary Jewish experience discussions
  • → Common Era's team members and their professional backgrounds to understand the organizational culture

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you coordinated a project from idea through execution in a cultural or philanthropic context
2 How do you approach translating abstract ideas into concrete scopes and timelines?
3 What experience do you have moderating community platforms like Slack and building partner relationships?
4 How do you stay organized when managing multiple projects with evolving goals?
5 Why are you interested in Common Era's specific approach to Jewish cultural innovation?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic applications that don't reference Common Era's specific mission or current initiatives
  • Overemphasis on rigid process management without demonstrating adaptability to evolving systems
  • Lack of specific examples showing experience in cultural, philanthropic, or innovation contexts

📅 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 Common Era!

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