Manager of Community Building, Adult Engagement

Our Vision:

Central Synagogue is one of the leading and largest Reform congregations in the country. Located in Midtown Manhattan, Central’s reach includes more than 2,800 member families, a livestream community numbering in the hundreds of thousands, and more than 800 students, from birth to twelfth grade, in the Nursery and Religious schools. It has long played a significant role in the national Reform movement and is known for its innovation and leadership in worship, leading to a greatly expanded audience over the last two decades.

Central Synagogue works toward a world in which Judaism is core to the lives of Central members and Jews everywhere and is a profound and positive force for humanity. Central continually redefines what it means to be Jewish today, both within the Synagogue community and far beyond the Synagogue’s walls. The diverse clergy and professional team work hard, in collaboration with lay leadership, to build deep and enduring relationships among Central members, creating a caring, dynamic, and joyful community.

Central Synagogue is an inclusive and welcoming community. The Synagogue encourages participation from all who seek a connection to Jewish life and want to be part of its sacred community regardless of religious background, race, ethnicity, gender, ability, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Central is committed to being an open tent, a place that welcomes all people, including those who have been historically and institutionally marginalized or excluded from the Jewish community.

The Synagogue is well resourced, has over 100 staff, and is governed by a 29-member Board of Trustees. To learn more, please visit: https://www.centralsynagogue.org/.

Job Summary/Objective: The Manager of Community Building on the Adult Engagement Team is responsible for fostering connections between members and between Neighbors both in-person and online. Using a relational and data-based approach in partnership with our Membership Team, the Manager ensures that Central’s members and Neighbors feel seen and known by one another through their participation in supportive, well-run small groups, volunteer opportunities and in our online community.

Reports To: Interim Director of Congregational Engagement

Department Hours: Full-time, exempt and not eligible for OT, Monday through Thursday 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, Friday 8:30 – 4:30 pm, or equivalent, occasional evenings, expected to work some of the High Holy Days. Central Synagogue employees are not eligible for fully remote work.

Essential Duties/Key Responsibilities:

Members:

• In collaboration with the Membership Department, create new opportunities for members to meet one another and build relationships from the moment of onboarding forward.
• Serve as the lead network-builder for new and existing CORE Groups, including recruiting, training and supporting new leaders, as well as recruiting members.
• Facilitate an annual feedback cycle for CORE groups in which leaders learn and grow from participant data.
• Take a leadership role in expanding programmatic and relational offerings for age-based cohorts (chai Connections, 30s-40s group, etc.).
• Serve as staff lead for congregant-to-congregant call campaigns.

Neighbors

• In collaboration with the Director of Online Community Engagement, design and support “welcome” and orientation events for Neighbors.
• Oversee the Ambassadors program and develop other strategies to ensure Neighbors are connected to offerings that meet their needs and interests.
• Recruit, train, support and celebrate Neighbors who are interested in running small groups.
• Proactively identify opportunities for Neighbors to engage in Jewish learning and development.
• Serve as a front-line contact for our Neighbors’ questions, available to answer questions about access to programming, services, groups, etc.
• Plan annual Homecoming event for Neighbors.
• Support yearly renewal process for Neighborhood.

Volunteers

• Match members with volunteer opportunities to share their talents and skills in service of the broader New York Community with Central.
• Help improve the overall experience of volunteers at Central.
• Help improve the overall experience of volunteers at Central.
• Connect members who have similar volunteer interest and support the development of opportunities and programs to hone their leadership and service skills.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• 3+ years relevant work experience preferred in a role serving members, the public, and other stakeholders, Jewish/faith based, or cultural institutional setting preferred.
• Experience in program creation and project management.
• Technology: High level of computer literacy required (we use Windows): proven ability to quickly learn new software. Experience with SalesForce or similar CRM, knowledge of Zoom and Microsoft Teams a plus. Tech support and training provided.

Other Duties:

Please note that the above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

The expected salary range for this position is $72,000 to $77,000. Central Synagogue offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated and diverse community. The salary is commensurate with experience based on several factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, areas of specialization, and depth and scope of experience. The above salary range represents the Synagogue’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation range at the time of posting.

Additional Information:

Central Synagogue requires all staff members (full-time AND part-time) to (a) provide proof of vaccination and booster against COVID-19 or (b) obtain an approved exemption as an accommodation. If you are offered employment this requirement must be met by your hire date unless a reasonable accommodation for exemption is received and approved.

Hybrid Schedule: One day remote on either Monday or Friday and four days in the office.

Application Process:

• To apply, please submit a resume, along with a cover letter and three references addressed to “Director of Congregational Engagement” to [email protected].
• Please reference “Manager of Community Building” in the subject line of your email. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Central Synagogue