Engagement Manager
Denver Jewish Day School (Denver JDS) is a pluralistic Jewish community day school where students are prepared and inspired to live purposefully, act ethically, and thrive in the world. Rooted in Jewish values and guided by a commitment to academic excellence, we offer an extraordinary dual curriculum in secular and Judaic studies. Our warm, inclusive community nurtures each student’s unique potential while fostering a deep sense of identity, responsibility, and connection. At Denver JDS, our work is grounded in relationships, enriched by tradition, and driven by a shared vision of educational and personal growth.
Position Reports to: Director of Admission & Director of Development
Position Start date: June 2025
Salary: $50,000-$60,000 depending on experience. Competitive benefits package including Health insurance, retirement match, school holidays & breaks, summer Fridays, vacation time & tuition discount.
Position Summary: The Engagement Manager is a key member of the Denver JDS Advancement team and is responsible for developing and executing high-impact strategies—both short- and long-term—to foster meaningful engagement across all constituencies of the Denver JDS community. Through exceptional event execution, thoughtful stewardship, effective communications, social media presence, committee leadership, and personalized cultivation efforts, this role deepens relationships and broadens community involvement. We are seeking a motivated, experienced leader with a passion for hospitality and excellence—someone who thrives in collaborative environments, is highly organized and proactive, and demonstrates superior interpersonal skills rooted in compassion, discretion, and Jewish values. This is a full-time, twelve-month position.
General Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership to drive engagement from Denver JDS constituencies, including current/former parents, faculty/staff, alumni, grandparents, board members, and community partners
- Deliver administrative and logistical support including office operations, budget tracking, scheduling, and calendar coordination as needed
Community Engagement:
- Strengthen partnerships with Jewish organizations and relevant community institutions.
- Support planning and execution of strategic events to enhance DJDS visibility among key external audiences such as prospective families and referral sources
Alumni Engagement:
- Partner with the Director of Development to lead the Alumni Task Force and bolster alumni engagement through effective volunteer and event coordination
- Design / implement impactful alumni initiatives such as reunions, family events, and mentorship opportunities
- Cultivate alumni relationships through personal outreach and group gatherings.
- Oversee alumni database of 2,000+ contacts and maintain updated online content in collaboration with the Marketing department
- Manage alumni-focused social media, e-newsletters, and quarterly Alumni Newsletters that share community updates, milestones (smachot), and school news
- Facilitate alumni parent engagement and build transitional programs for graduating students
Grandparent Engagement:
- Collaborate with staff to launch a Grandparents Association and steward volunteer leadership.
- Drive grandparent communications through social and digital media
- Provide professional leadership in planning and executing Grandparents Day and related events
- Connect grandparents with relevant opportunities to contribute to school programs
Parent Engagement:
- Design and manage grade-level and school-wide parent programs, adult education, and volunteer opportunities
- Facilitate onboarding for new families with events, outreach, and ongoing communications
- Ensure high standards for all parent-facing events and train others in DJDS hospitality expectations
- Maintain parent WhatsApp groups, weekly recap messaging, and the Parent Resources webpage
- Collaborate with Admissions to support new family integration and buddy programs
- Track lifecycle milestones such as Bar/Bat Mitzvah dates and coordinate recognition initiatives
- Act as a liaison to the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), overseeing planning, budgeting, and calendar support
Faculty and Staff Engagement:
- Foster deeper relationships between faculty/staff and the Advancement department
- Administer Giving Tree donations and staff recognition initiatives
- Support grade-level and school-wide event planning to ensure high-quality experiences for faculty, students, and families
- Assist PTO with planning faculty appreciation programs
Required Skills and Abilities:
- Outstanding verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders
- Strong organizational skills, proven ability to manage multi-phase projects with attention to detail
- Self-starter with effective time-management and prioritization skills
- Collaborative team player able to work across departments and with all levels of staff
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and social media; experience with Raiser’s Edge, Mailchimp, FinalSite, FACTS SIS, and Canva is a plus
- Commitment to continuous improvement and high-quality event execution
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
- Minimum of 3 years in community engagement, event planning, or program development
- Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building capabilities
- Demonstrated success in volunteer engagement and creative programming
- Experience in Jewish, educational, or non-profit environments is a plus
We believe all people are capable of great things. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every single requirement listed above.
All interested applicants should submit resume by May 23 to Director of Admission, Shayna Friedman, at [email protected]