Government & Community Relations Associate, CHI

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 Summary 

This role strengthens MMOT’s presence and impact through advocacy, relationship-building, and storytelling that aligns with the organization’s mission to combat antisemitism, promote human rights, and build more inclusive communities.  
 
The Government & Community Relations Associate plays a pivotal role in advancing the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s (SWC) regional priorities through advocacy, community engagement, strategic partnerships, and public education. This multifaceted role supports the implementation of SWC’s mission to combat antisemitism, promote human dignity, and confront hate in all forms. The associate will help expand the reach and impact of SWC’s initiatives—including, but not limited to, the Mobile Museum of Tolerance (MMOT)—by cultivating partnerships with regional/state government officials, education stakeholders, and community leaders. The Community & Government Relations Associate works closely with the Education and Government Affairs teams to engage legislators, elevate public awareness, and drive regional strategy and visibility. The ideal candidate brings a dynamic blend of strategic thinking, advocacy, relationship-building, and communications expertise, along with a deep commitment to human rights and social justice.  

Key Responsibilities 
 

• Advocacy and Government Affairs: Build and sustain relationships with policymakers and other elected officials, legislative staff, and civic leaders in target regions. 
• Represent MMOT at public policy events, legislative visits, hearings, and briefings. 
• Coordinate government engagement strategies in alignment with SWC’s advocacy priorities with the Education and Government Affairs teams (e.g., Holocaust/genocide education, hate crimes prevention, antisemitism awareness). 
• Monitor and report on legislation related to Holocaust education, antisemitism, and tolerance; provide briefings to internal stakeholders 
• Draft advocacy materials, legislative updates, and reports demonstrating MMOT’s educational and community impact. 

Community Engagement & Visibility 

• Serve as a regional ambassador for SWC at community and educational events. 
• Cultivate and deepen relationships with school districts, universities, community-based organizations, and Jewish communal partners to advance SWC’s educational programs and initiatives. 
• Strategically support MMOT and other SWC initiatives through regional programming and public affairs opportunities. 
• Coordinate advance communications with elected officials ahead of MMOT visits in their districts. 
• Represent SWC at conferences, educational forums, and regional convenings. 

Storytelling & Strategic Communications 

• Share impact-driven narratives with legislators, featuring student engagement and community testimonials. 
• Develop proactive messaging that emphasizes MMOT’s regional influence and outcomes. 
• Collaborate with communications staff to create toolkits, social content, and updates tailored to regional audiences. 

Programmatic Support & Regional Strategy 

• Assist in the planning and execution of regional programs, including educational initiatives, public events, and advocacy campaigns. 
• Collaborate with SWC’s national staff to localize messaging and implement campaigns that resonate with regional audiences. 
• Ensure successful delivery and follow-up of MMOT visits, including coordination with elected officials, media, and school partners. 
• Track and evaluate the impact of SWC’s regional efforts using metrics and qualitative feedback. 

Development & Special Projects 

• Identify opportunities for public recognition (resolutions, proclamations, citations) that align with MMOT visits or programming. 
• Support Development in leveraging government relationships to advance fundraising or strategic initiatives. 
• Maintain and track a database of government contacts, past engagement history, and regional impact. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in public affairs, political science, education policy, communications, or related field. 
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in government relations, advocacy, or nonprofit public affairs. 
• Strong knowledge of legislative processes and political landscapes in at least one target region (NY, IL, FL). 
• Excellent writing, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to translate impact into compelling narratives for diverse audiences. 
• Comfortable working independently, traveling throughout the region, and attending high-visibility events. 
• Passion for social justice, Holocaust education, and combating hate and discrimination. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience working in education, museums, or with school districts. 
• Familiarity with DEI initiatives, Holocaust/genocide education, or civic engagement legislation. 
• Regional expertise in Florida, Illinois, or New York. 

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 need. 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.