Pros
AJWS is a well-regarded organization, and I felt proud to serve its noble mission. My team had a significant budget for professional development and travel, unlike most nonprofits, and were encouraged to pursue such opportunities. A lot of early to mid career staff are supportive of each other as a way to cope with the difficult culture from the top. The organization pays the highest portion of the health insurance premium that I have ever experienced.
Cons
From the highest levels of the organization, there is severe dysfunction that affects everyone on staff. Leadership feels utterly unable to make a decision and to be responsible for that decision, and as a result, the organization is unable to move forward, pursue new programmatic and/or fundraising opportunities, and individual staff members feel a sense of frustration that their ideas go nowhere. The problem around decision making in part stems directly from the shortcomings of the current President and CEO, but is amplified because of disagreements and infighting among several VP-level executives. This leads to a highly frustrating workplace where staff do not feel empowered, where everyone covers their bum at all costs including on the most mundane decisions, and where the pace moves slowly because of the constant need to seek approval and buy-in all the way up the management chain.