Position Summary:
USCJ’s Department of Movement Building plays a crucial role in initiating and implementing new initiatives to grow engagement of individuals and families with our movement, strengthen movement vision and leadership, and foster alignment among key movement organizations.
The Manager, Special Projects - Movement Building is an agile project management professional, strong leader, and adept communicator who plays a key role in ensuring “best practice” processes and successful outcomes for various initiatives that support movement-wide growth goals. The Manager is responsible for day-to-day management of all aspects of movement building program initiatives, including scope, schedule, finance, change management, resource management/reporting and evaluation. The Manager implements effective planning strategies, drives efficient workflow, utilizes data-driven decisions and promotes continuous improvement.
In keeping with USCJ’s alignment with the Rabbinical Assembly (RA), this position also provides administrative support to the Chief Movement Strategy Officer, including in her capacity as RA’s Chief Operating Officer.
Responsibilities:
Project Management
- Act as lead and key point of contact on special projects as assigned by the Chief Movement Strategy Officer (CMSO).
- Work in close collaboration with the CMSO and other Movement Building team members, as well as others across the organization, to initiate, execute and bring projects to successful conclusion.
- Create Movement Building advisory groups, support USCJ’s role in the Mercaz USA campaign and develop the movement’s public policy network.
- Responsible for all phases of project management including:
- Initiation: Define project purpose, scope and objectives; identify key stakeholders.
- Planning: Create project plan, metrics outline of activities, tasks, resources, budget and timeline required to execute each project.
- Prepare, implement and monitor budgets.
- Prepare and manage project technology platforms (Google Drives, Zoom and WhatsApp communication channels).
- Delegate tasks as needed.
- Execution: Collaborate with Committee Chairs, lay leaders, professional staff and other stakeholders to move the work forward; and ensure expected outcomes are achieved.
- Anticipate project needs before they are on immediate task horizon.
- Communicate and collaborate with various internal and external stakeholders to provide information required to promote projects, programs, systems, etc.
- Document key decisions and discussions as determined during Zoom and in-person meetings.
- Monitor project progress to ensure alignment with scheduling, volunteer coordination, communications and drafting of meeting materials.
- Coordinate and prepare project reports under supervision of the CMSO.
- Provide consistent communications to stakeholders.
- Provide operations support for in-person meetings, including coordinating meeting venues, logistics, supplies and materials.
- Closure and Evaluation: Complete all project deliverables; identify successes and failures; and document lessons learned.
Administrative Support to Chief Movement Strategy Officer (USCJ) / Chief Operating Officer (RA)
- Schedule, coordinate and organize complex activities such as meetings, travel, conferences and events.
- Manage Chief Operating Officer’s (COO) complex executive-level calendar.
- Responsible for booking travel when necessary (flights, trains, car rides, hotels, etc.)
- Conduct research for key projects.
- Anticipate the CMSO/COO’s needs and proactively bring together appropriate parties and other resources to support the CMSO/COO in addressing issues.
- Perform other duties or assignments as necessary.
Requirements:
- 5+ years of relevant experience and training in project management, logistics or business or equivalent field; project management certification is a plus
- Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills to work effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including committee chairs and lay leaders
- Excellent organizational, prioritization and time management skills with demonstrated ability to oversee multiple projects concurrently while ensuring timely delivery and adherence to project deadlines and budgets
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to proactively identify and navigate challenges to achieve project success while effectively managing stakeholder expectations
- Demonstrated deep attention to detail while maintaining a perspective of the big picture
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently with minimal direction and supervision
- Experience with budgets, contracts, and project management systems
- Ability to make quick and appropriate decisions when faced with unexpected occurrences or delays
- Experience working in fast-paced environments under the pressure of conflicting deadlines and priorities
- Strong leadership skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Proficient with Google WorkSpace and Microsoft Suite; proficient with Zoom
- Knowledge of Hebrew language preferred
- Passion for Jewish life and culture preferred
Location:
Hybrid in New York City or remote (requires availability during Eastern time zone work hours)
Schedule:
Monday through Friday; occasional evening and weekend work required
Travel:
Some travel for meetings
Salary Range:
$80,000 - $90,000
Benefits:
Full-time Employees are offered a range of benefits including options for healthcare, Flex Spending (FSA)/Dependent Care Account, 403b Retirement Plan and Company-provided life and AD&D insurance, as well as various voluntary insurance options. Employees are eligible for generous paid time-off including vacation, sick leave and Federal and Jewish holidays, as well as Friday Shabbat early closings.
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) is the network organization for the Conservative/Masorti Movement working to ensure there are thriving centers of Jewish practice that celebrate both tradition and contemporary life in North America, Israel and beyond. We envision and pursue an authentic and dynamic Judaism that inspires today’s and tomorrow’s generations of Jews to seek meaning, find connection and experience wholeness (shleymut) in a world that is complex and ever-evolving. Together, we demonstrate what an authentic and dynamic Judaism looks like, inspire people to be part of it and advance its critical role in the world.
Our services and programs are focused on three key areas:
- We support and strengthen congregations and their leaders. We develop and deliver a portfolio of services and programs including leadership training for congregational lay leaders and professional staff to help them identify, embrace and respond to the needs of the 21st-century Jewish community.
- We engage teens. Our USY program engages thousands of teens in synagogues and other settings.
- We serve as a vital resource for the Movement through a partnership with the Rabbinical Assembly (RA) working strategically to expand our reach to engage individuals beyond synagogue walls.
At USCJ, we don’t just talk about our values – we live them every single day. Collaboration, Dedication to the Mission, Generosity of Spirit, Innovation and Adaptability, Integrity, Solution Orientation and Striving for Excellence are not just words on a page for us; they are the guiding principles that shape our culture and drive our success. Join us and observe firsthand how our values inform and direct our work with precision and purpose.
To learn more about us, visit www.uscj.org.
USCJ is an Equal Opportunity Employer.