Director, Government Relations & Advocacy

Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) is a global Jewish human rights organization that confronts antisemitism and hate, defends the safety of Israel and Jews worldwide, and teaches the lessons of the Holocaust through awareness, advocacy, justice, education, and its Museums of Tolerance. With a constituency of over 400,000 member families since its founding in 1977, the SWC has an international footprint through its Museums of Tolerance, Moriah Films, and the Digital Terrorism + Hate Project.  

Headquartered in Los Angeles, it maintains operations in New York, Chicago, Miami, Toronto, Paris, Berlin, Jerusalem, and Buenos Aires. It is an accredited Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) at the United Nations, UNESCO, the Organization of American States, the Latin American Parliament, and the Council of Europe and maintains relationships with the highest levels of governments throughout the world.  

In 1993, the Center opened the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles to worldwide acclaim. The Museum has served as the Center’s flagship educational arm, challenging visitors to confront bigotry and racism, and to understand the Holocaust in both historical and contemporary contexts. In addition, the Center developed Moriah Media to produce theatrical documentaries to educate global audiences. Moriah has produced 17 documentaries to date, two of which have received the Academy Award for best feature documentary, The Long Way Home and Genocide. 

Position Overview: 

The Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) seeks a dynamic, mission-aligned Director of Government Relations & Advocacy to oversee SWC’s policy agenda on human rights, Holocaust education, and combating antisemitism and drive the growth and protection of critical public funding, primarily for the Mobile Museum of Tolerance (MMOT) in New York. This senior-level role will develop and manage key relationships with city, state, and regional policymakers, legislators, and agencies. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in government affairs, deep connections within New York's political landscape, and a passion for advancing human rights and Holocaust education. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Public Funding & Government Relations 

• Cultivate, secure, and expand New York State and City grants to support the MMOT and related educational programming. 

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, government agencies, and relevant stakeholders. 

• Serve as SWC's primary liaison to policymakers in the tri-state region (NY, NJ, CT) with potential to expand to broader Northeast engagements. 

• Lead and coordinate lobbying efforts in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external lobbyists. 

Advocacy & Policy Leadership 

• Oversee SWC’s policy agenda and drive the growth and maintenance of critical public funding for the Mobile Museum of Tolerance (MMOT) and other SWC initiatives across the city and state of New York and the broader Eastern region. 

• Represent SWC in advocacy initiatives aligned with human rights, Holocaust education, and combating antisemitism, ensuring the organization has a visible and influential presence in these spaces. 

• Participate in, or coordinate representation for, SWC on relevant councils, task forces, and policy forums to advance the organization’s mission and priorities. 

• Monitor and analyze legislative developments and policy trends that impact SWC’s mission, programming, and funding opportunities, providing strategic recommendations for organizational response and positioning. 

• Work cross-functionally with development and program teams to align advocacy efforts with fundraising strategies and educational initiatives. 

Strategic Collaboration & Internal Partnership 

• Work cross-functionally with SWC's education, development, and community relations teams to align funding, policy, and educational initiatives. 

• Support strategic advocacy campaigns that align with SWC priorities without compromising core funding responsibilities. 

Reporting & Communication 

• Provide regular updates to SWC leadership on legislative activities, funding pipeline progress, and advocacy opportunities. 

• Prepare briefings, presentations, and reports for both internal leadership and external stakeholders. 

Qualifications: 

• Minimum 7 years of experience in government relations, external relations, or policy advocacy, preferably within New York State and City. 

• Strong existing network of relationships within New York's political, legislative, and advocacy circles. 

• Deep understanding of public funding processes, government budgets, and policy-making. 

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. 

• Proven ability to navigate complex political environments and drive policy outcomes. 

• Highly organized, strategic thinker with the ability to prioritize competing demands. 

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in Public Policy, Political Science, or related field preferred. 

• Personal alignment with the mission of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, including a commitment to human rights and Holocaust education. 

Preferred Attributes: 

• Prior experience in a nonprofit organization or advocacy setting. 

• Experience collaborating with external lobbyists and consultants. 

• Familiarity with the broader Tri-State and Northeast advocacy landscape. 

Our Benefits:  

We value our people and offer a collaborative and engaging culture. As a SWC employee, you will enjoy work/life balance, generous time off, and comprehensive benefits and programs.   The Simon Wiesenthal Center embraces inclusivity and values our diverse community. We are committed to building a team based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.