Strategic Initiatives and Special Events Lead

About PJ Library and The Harold Grinspoon Foundation

PJ Library, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, was launched with a humble beginning in 2005, sending books to children in western Massachusetts about Jewish holidays, culture, and values. Today PJ Library has exploded into an internationally recognized $36M global cultural literacy venture; we partner with philanthropists and Jewish communities in over 35 countries to provide families raising Jewish children with the gift of free high-quality children's books and resources that foster deeper engagement with Jewish life.   

The Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF), founded in 1991 by real-estate guru and businessman Harold Grinspoon, is one of the most entrepreneurial and business-oriented nonprofits in the nation. Based in the Springfield, Massachusetts, area and with over 130 employees, the HGF is committed to enhancing global Jewish life. The Foundation offers the stability of a 30-year established organization; the creative, exciting, and fast-paced nature of a start-up; and the long-term growth opportunities of an endowed foundation committed to its mission for decades to come. 
 

Position Overview 

PJ Library in New York aspires to grow the number of children in metro New York (Westchester, Long Island, and New York City) who are subscribed to PJ Library, and the Strategic Initiatives and Special Events Lead will hold a critical role in achieving this goal. The Lead will serve as a key member of the PJ Library in New York team, working closely with and reporting to the Director of PJ Library in New York. The Lead will create, lead, and support new initiatives, unique partnerships, and special events as they emerge, seeing a project through from ideation to execution to analysis. The Lead will ensure strategic objectives are met on time and with outstanding precision. 

The Lead will:

• Develop frameworks for strategic initiatives and special events that identify project goals and opportunities for continued growth.
• Create, lead, and support small and large-scale special initiatives with internal and external stakeholders to ensure goals are achieved and execution is exceptional.
• Create, lead, and support PJ Library generated events and work closely with current and new partners to ensure a compelling presence at their events. This may include hiring and supervising event volunteers, as needed.
• Think strategically about emerging opportunities to reach new audiences.
• Ensure all new subscribers are added to the PJ Library database and provide regular updates on all strategic initiatives and special events.
• Always ensure that prospective and current subscribers and partners have a positive experience with PJ Library.
   

The Lead will interface with colleagues at PJ Library and The Harold Grinspoon Foundation, partners across metro New York, and key stakeholders in the New York community. 

The Lead will work on-site at the PJ Library in New York office in midtown Manhattan 1-2 days per week, and will be out in the field meeting with partners and stakeholders and/or leading events 3-4 days per week within the metro New York area (Westchester, Long Island, and New York City). Please note that some events happen in the evenings and on weekends; flexibility is necessary and compensation time is provided. The position also includes quarterly travel to PJ Library’s headquarters in Agawam, MA. 
 

Requirements

 The ideal candidate will:

• Have 3+ years of experience working in the Jewish communal world. 
• Be deeply collaborative and thrive in partnership, team-based setting.  
• Highly organized, detail-oriented individual who is capable of self-managing and multi-tasking in a fast-paced, demanding environment. 
• Creative-thinking and problem-solving skills.  
• Self-starter and complete tasks without much direction. 
• Have the maturity and self-discipline to manage and shape a dynamic environment. 
• Have a ‘can do’ attitude. 
• Be able to ‘win others over.’ 

Compensation  

Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.   

Benefits: 

• Health insurance 
• Dental and vision insurance 
• Short- and long-term disability insurance 
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match 
• Paid sick, holiday, vacation, and personal time 
• Flexible work policy with hybrid in-person/remote work  

To Apply: 

*Vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment. The selected candidate will be required to provide proof of vaccination to Human Resources prior to start date. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemptions to this requirement in accordance with applicable law. 

The Harold Grinspoon Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are invited to apply. For more information about the foundation and its programs, visit www.hgf.org.