Director of Jewish Life & Community Engagement

Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan • New York, NY

1d • $75,000 - $80,000 • Onsite

About The Position

JCC Harlem is seeking a Director of Jewish Life and Community Engagement to design and steward vibrant, relationship-centered programming that builds belonging and participation across its community. JCC Harlem is an initiative of the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, in collaboration with UJA-Federation of NY. It operates from a 6,000-square-foot community center with an adjacent outdoor space on West 118th Street, serving Harlem’s diverse neighborhood. The organization is intentionally Jewish while facilitating connection, growth, and learning among people with varied identities and backgrounds.

The position allocates 50% of its time to leading Jewish Life and 50% to co-leading Civic Life and Community Engagement in partnership with the Director of Administration and Community Building. The Director develops inclusive Jewish programming and learning, builds community relationships and partnerships, cultivates participant leadership, and supports civic engagement, service, intergroup relationships, and neighborhood-wide events. The role also oversees program planning, operations, staffing, budgets, recruitment, and evaluation, and contributes to cross-departmental initiatives and organization-wide planning.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 5 years of experience in community programming, Jewish communal work, Jewish children’s enrichment, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience designing, producing, and leading participatory programs.
• Strong community-building orientation and relational leadership style.
• Knowledge of Jewish traditions, culture, and communal life.
• Experience engaging diverse, multiracial, and interfaith communities.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as program needs require.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently and collaboratively.

Nice To Haves

• Jewish summer camp and/or experiential children’s Jewish learning background.
• Experience with Daxko, Salesforce, or other CRM systems.
• Familiarity with metrics, evaluation, and community impact measurement.
• Strong understanding of the North American Jewish landscape, including culture, ritual, and tradition.
• Skill in establishing, cultivating, and stewarding relationships with community members, partners, and stakeholders.
• Collaborative problem-solving, strategic thinking, and an entrepreneurial approach to engagement and programming.
• Innovative and self-motivated approach.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute the Jewish Life program platform, including Shabbat gatherings, Jewish holiday festivals, neighborhood celebrations, participatory arts and ritual experiences, and experiential Jewish learning for children and families.
• Design welcoming and accessible Jewish experiences centered on joy, belonging, and authentic community voice.
• Build relationships with community members and support their pathways into Jewish life, learning, and engagement.
• Ensure programming reflects the racial, cultural, and spiritual diversity of Harlem’s Jewish community.
• Develop and steward partnerships that strengthen the Jewish Life program area.
• Partner with the Children’s Enrichment team to align Jewish Life programming with the organization’s children’s enrichment philosophy and integrate Jewish content into children’s and family offerings.
• Cultivate participant leadership, empowering community members to serve as creators, hosts, educators, and leaders.
• Create Jewish learning and engagement curricula and program frameworks, and teach select experiential Jewish education offerings for children.
• Plan and manage large-scale High Holidays programs and prayer services.
• Oversee Jewish Life program operations, including logistics, run-of-show planning, vendor coordination, staffing, and budgets.
• Develop recruitment strategies and establish annual and seasonal calendars, participation targets, and registration benchmarks for Jewish Life.
• Manage Jewish Life budgets and track income and expenses against benchmarks.
• Supervise Jewish Life staff.
• Build and deepen relationships across Harlem with religious institutions and leaders, community organizations, businesses, civic leaders, and other neighborhood partners.
• Lead community service and volunteer engagement with community-based organizations and Repair the World, including the MLK Community-Wide Weekend of Service and ongoing volunteer opportunities.
• Develop and produce neighborhood-wide events and pop-ups that foster participation, cross-cultural exchange, and relationship-building.
• Develop and lead intergroup relationship-building and dialogue efforts across lines of difference.
• Oversee Civic Life and Community Engagement program implementation and operations, including logistics, run-of-show planning, vendor coordination, staffing, and budgets.
• Develop community engagement and recruitment strategies and manage participation, relationship-building, and growth goals.
• Set and manage annual and seasonal program calendars, participation goals, and registration benchmarks for Civic Life and Community Engagement.
• Manage program-area budgets and align resources with strategic priorities and program goals.
• Lead select cross-departmental arts, culture, family, and community programs, including pop-up events and seasonal festivals.
• Staff JCC Harlem Advisory Council Working Groups as relevant to program responsibilities.
• Contribute to organization-wide program planning, innovation, fundraising, and strategic growth.
• Assist with grant reporting, program evaluation, and impact documentation.
• Support the Executive Director on special projects, initiatives, and community engagement priorities.

Benefits

• Supportive, mission-driven work environment.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus more health benefits.
• Paid vacation time and a generous offering of federal and Jewish/secular holidays.
• 403(b) retirement savings account.
• Professional development, mentorship, and leadership investment opportunities.
• Access to the JCC’s cultural, learning, arts, and film programs.
• Free fitness membership for the pool and health club.
• Discounts on other JCC programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior