Festival Director

Job Description

Festival Director

Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester

Location : Rochester, NY (on-site)

Reports to : Chief Creative Officer

Status : Full-time

Compensation : $60,000–$70,000 annual salary; comprehensive benefits package

About the JCC of Greater Rochester

Rooted in Jewish values and open to all, the Louis S. Wolk Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester exists to strengthen individuals, families, and our community by nurturing mind, body, and spirit within an environment that celebrates wellness, belonging, and shared purpose.

Guided by our core values — Chesed (Compassion), Kehillah (Community), Kavod (Respect), Shmirat HaGuf (Being Our Best Selves), and Hachnasat Orchim (Welcoming + Belonging) — we serve as a hub for lifelong learning, wellness, and Jewish cultural expression.

Located along the Erie Canal in Brighton, our 200,000-square-foot campus features a professional theatre, fitness and aquatics center, early childhood and youth programs, and a thriving calendar of arts and community events that reach thousands annually.

Position Summary

The Festival Director is a creative, strategic, and entrepreneurial leader responsible for curating and producing the JCC’s two premier Jewish cultural events — the Ames Amzalak Rochester Jewish Film Festival (RJFF) and the Lane Dworkin Authors + Innovators Festival (A+I) — while serving as a central figure in advancing both the JCC’s Jewish life and arts and cultural vision throughout the year.

This role requires a dynamic balance of artistic sensibility, organizational management, and a deep understanding of the evolving Jewish landscape and the power of cultural expression to connect and inspire. The Festival Director views Jewish arts and culture not only as performance or exhibition, but as one of the most meaningful and accessible entry points into Jewish engagement. By applying best practices in community engagement and cultural programming, this position leverages the arts as a bridge — inviting individuals of all backgrounds and levels of connection to explore Jewish identity, values, and contemporary issues.

In today’s rapidly changing Jewish world, where traditional structures and frameworks are shifting, the Festival Director plays a vital role in using film, literature, and innovation to spark dialogue, challenge perspectives, and create space for learning and connection. Through bold and thoughtful programming, the Director ensures that the JCC’s festivals serve as platforms for reflection and conversation on the pressing issues facing Jewish life today — ensuring that the arts remain a living, relevant, and unifying force within the community.

Key Responsibilities

Festival Leadership & Artistic Direction

• Lead the full creative and operational direction of the Ames Amzalak Rochester Jewish Film Festival and the Lane Dworkin Authors + Innovators Festival, ensuring each event reflects artistic excellence, inclusivity, and cultural depth.
• Curate engaging, thought-provoking, and diverse content — films, authors, speakers, and interactive events — that align with the JCC’s mission and resonate with wide audiences.
• Communicate and collaborate regularly with the Chief Jewish Life and Engagement Officer and the Jewish Life team, working towards programmatic synergies that create seamless JCC programming throughout the year.
• Secure all required licenses, rights, and permissions for film screenings, author appearances, and related events.
• Design and execute unique festival experiences, including Opening and Closing Nights, guest filmmaker or author appearances, Q&A sessions, receptions, and ancillary events.
• Collaborate with internal JCC departments to ensure seamless execution across facilities, ticketing, hospitality, and production.

Volunteer & Committee Leadership

Fundraising & Sponsorship

Marketing & Communications

Finance & Operations

Organizational Leadership & Collaboration

Qualifications

Compensation & Benefits

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The JCC of Greater Rochester is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse identities, backgrounds, and perspectives and are committed to building an inclusive culture in which staff, members, and community partners can thrive.

To Apply

Please submit a resume, a brief cover letter to [Kzastrow@jccrochester.org] with the subject line Festival Director Application – [Your Name] . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.