Program Manager Job Description 

Position Details

Title: Program Manager

Reports to: Rabbi Jesse Olitzky 

Position Type: Regular Full Time

Compensation: $70,000 commensurate with experience + benefits  

Targeted Start Date: March 1, 2025

Interested candidates should submit their resume and a one-page cover letter to [email protected].  

Position Overview

Congregation Beth El seeks a Program Manager  to conceive of, design, and execute programs that build and strengthen relationships among members, appealing to both specific demographics and to the full community. Programs will be holiday-based, cultural, educational, social, and social action in nature. 

The categories of responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop a comprehensive strategy for creative programming that will engage and appeal to specific demographics of the synagogue’s membership, as well as community-wide programs, both inside and outside the building’s walls. 
• Collaborate with senior staff to ensure programming aligns with community values.
• Budget, plan, organize, manage, and execute all aspects of programs to ensure success by developing project schedules, communicating and collaborating with cross-functional team members and other stakeholders, anticipating and managing issues, and driving on-time execution. Track attendance and assess program success and areas for improvement, post event.
• Oversee the member community calendar and other relevant calendars to ensure consistent programming without overlap. 
• Develop appealing content for all our community members/cohorts, with a particular focus on increasing engagement among parents of current and post-b’nai mitzvah children and empty nesters.

• Administratively support appropriate lay-led committees and work in partnership with them.Partner closely with the VP of Community, & Membership Committee, Sisterhood and Men’s Club leadership to execute member engagement initiatives, and effectively measure the value and success of those programs.
• Be a self-starter to work independently to launch new program initiatives. 
• Leverage data and key insights to improve the member experience. Update our CRM with information about event attendance and other relevant data on congregant engagement.
• Devise innovative ways to communicate and market events to our members. Conduct personal outreach to members to encourage participation, track attendance and solicit feedback from attendees; follow up with lay leaders and staff with potential improvements, next steps, and/engagement to improve experience. 
• Write content and descriptions for relevant communications and take the lead on marketing/promotion.Coordinate Beth El’s representation/tabling at South Orange Maplewood community events 

• Work with facilities staff for event needs, including security, compliance and building set-up/logistics. 
• Collaborate with office staff on ordering materials and supplies for programs and events.

About Congregation Beth El

Congregation Beth El, located in South Orange, New Jersey, is a thriving Conservative synagogue located in a vibrant, diverse and family-friendly town outside of New York City.  As one of the fastest growing congregations in North America, we serve well over 450 families, including 80 who joined during the past two years.  We operate a preschool with close to 100 students, a Jewish Learning Center (religious school) with 180 students and provide daily services and programming for all demographics. Walking through our doors, you will see and experience the following:

• All ages, genders and backgrounds engage in Jewish life and activities together.  We welcome and affirm everyone- this includes Jews-by-choice, singles, Jews of Color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
• We are deeply committed to Tikkun Olam. We learn, engage in direct service, and build partnerships across lines of difference in the greater South Orange Maplewood community.
• Deep commitment to living Judaism within and outside of our synagogue.  We celebrate in the streets, engage meaningfully in both traditional and nontraditional ways in our homes, and at synagogue!

We are fortunate to have strong collaboration between our committed lay leadership and our talented professional team.  

About You

You are someone who loves Jewish community and the Jewish people. You are comfortable working with diverse demographics and creating meaningful experiences that lead to a sense of connection and belonging. You are self-directed and highly collaborative. You are kind, curious, dynamic, and dedicated.  You’ve worked in the Jewish non-profit sphere for 3+ years.

Compensation

We are open to candidates coming from a range of backgrounds and are committed to hiring for impact, rather than a certain set of experiences. The starting salary for this role is $70,000. Beth El provides excellent medical coverage at no cost to its employees. We also offer dental, vision, and disability insurance. Compensation includes personal days, vacation days, and professional development opportunities.