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Full Time

Director of Engagement

Congregation Beth Emeth 100 Academy Rd., Albany NY

Position Summary

The Director of Engagement is responsible for strengthening congregational connection, participation, and community life through program coordination and promotion, and strategic communications. This role serves as a key bridge to members, ensuring that CBE’s program offerings are well-planned and executed, accessible, inclusive, well-communicated, and welcoming to members at all ages and stages of Jewish life.

Key Responsibilities

  • Engagement & Program Support
  • Collaborate with clergy, staff, and affiliate groups to identify opportunities to increase member participation and engagement
  • Support new and existing programs by helping to shape messaging and outreach strategies
  • Serve as a welcoming point of contact for members seeking information about programs and involvement opportunities
  • Program Logistics & Coordination
  • Coordinate logistical details for programs and events, including but not limited to registration, communications, space scheduling, sourcing materials, and volunteer support
  • Analyze attendance and engagement data to identify trends and make recommendations to inform future planning and outreach efforts.
  • Develop a proactive and anticipatory strategy to ensure programs run smoothly and reflect a warm, organized, and inclusive congregational experience

Communications & Marketing

  • Promote synagogue programs, events, and initiatives through coordinated messaging across email, social media, website, and print materials
  • Produce and distribute a weekly e-newsletter highlighting upcoming programs, worship, and community news
  • Coordinate and publish the monthly synagogue bulletin, including content development, editing, ad sales and production timelines
  • Coordinate the layout, printing and distribution of the Annual Report.
  • Design basic flyers, signage, invitations, lobby display content and other documents using consistent brand standards
  • Serve as the liaison to external communications vendors (contract graphic designer, printer, mailhouse etc.)
  • Manage and maintain the synagogue’s social media presence, creating engaging content that reflects synagogue values and culture, responding to inquiries and engaging with external audiences as appropriate
  • Maintain consistency of voice, branding, and messaging across all platforms

Member Relations & Community Care

  • Engage with members in a generous, empathetic, and helpful manner, providing timely and thoughtful responses to inquiries and requests
  • Proactively reach out to members to encourage participation and deepen connection to synagogue life
  • Serve as a trusted and approachable presence, helping members navigate programs, events, and involvement opportunities

Collaboration & Administration

  • Work closely with clergy, professional staff, congregation committees and identify groups to align engagement efforts with synagogue goals
  • Maintain internal and external event calendars and collaborate with facilities and other stakeholders to facilitate sharing of space and other resources.
  • Ensure information is shared with relevant departments, and the broader community in an accurate, timely and proactive manner.

Qualifications & Skills

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Experience planning and executing programs for a broad range or life stages from small groups to large gatherings of several hundred people
  • Experience with email marketing platforms, social media management, and basic design tools
  • Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and tasks simultaneously
  • Experience working collaboratively in a religious or nonprofit environment. Familiarity with Jewish communal life and Reform Judaism strongly preferred
  • Ability to work some scheduled evenings and weekends

Core Competencies

  • Relationship-building and community-minded approach
  • Creativity balanced with strong follow-through
  • Sensitivity to confidentiality and congregational dynamics
  • Enthusiasm for fostering meaningful Jewish engagement

Organizational Values & Expectations
Cultural Competency & Belonging: Demonstrates cultural competency and actively contributes to an inclusive, respectful environment where all individuals feel a sense of belonging.

Ethical Conduct: Acts with integrity and professionalism, using sound judgment and adhering to ethical and confidentiality standards.

Customer Service: Provides timely, courteous, and solutions-focused service to internal and external customers.

Policies & Deadlines: Follows organizational policies and procedures while effectively managing time to meet deadlines and performance expectations.

Communication & Collaboration: Communicates clearly and works collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to support shared goals.

All employees contribute to the planning, preparation, and execution of major congregational events and initiatives (including, but not limited to, High Holy Days, membership renewal, garage sale, etc.), working collaboratively across departments as needed.