Programming and Engagement Associate

Background: Congregation Emanu El is a Reform congregation located in the heart of Houston, Texas near Rice University, the Medical District, and the Museum District.  With approximately 1700 families, Emanu El is a vibrant, progressive, and multicultural community. Emanu El is proud of our beautiful worship services, our commitment to social action, and our emphasis on Jewish education for people of all ages. We seek to enrich the lives of our members, contribute to the continuation and vitality of the Jewish people, and the value of tikkun olam – the obligation to help “repair the world.”   

 Position Summary: The Programming and Engagement Associate (P&E Associate) will coordinate and implement programs in collaboration with the clergy and Director of Congregational Advancement, as well as with the leadership teams of our Becker School early childhood center and our Helfman Religious School. The P&E Associate will focus on creating connections and community through innovative programming and experiences. Emanu El programming ideas are generated collaboratively by clergy, staff and lay leaders, who will partner with the P&E Associate on their implementation. The P&E Associate will report to the Director of Congregational Advancement.  

 Specific Responsibilities:  

 Programming and Engagement 

• Create, implement, and utilize programming as a strategic opportunity to strengthen and build connections among congregants and to deepen their engagement with the synagogue; ensure that programming reflects our Congregation’s Jewish values and embraces inclusion 
• Develop new and innovative ways for members and the community to engage with Emanu El 
• Respond to emerging and identified needs of congregants and develop a wide variety of quality experiences and innovative initiatives to meet those needs 
• Partner with lay leaders and senior staff members to develop and implement programming that serves the needs of our community 
• Serve as liaison to auxiliary groups and committees involved in programming and building use 
• Analyze data (demographic factors and patterns in synagogue affiliation and resignation, level of participation in congregational worship and non-worship events) to underlay engagement and programming strategies and to develop retention strategies, in coordination with Director of Congregational Advancement  
• Manage an annual programming plan including Onegs, Shabbat Dinners, major and minor events, and work with the Event Coordinator to ensure that events and programs are displayed correctly on building calendar, website and other marketing outlets 
• Develop programming partnerships with Jewish and secular agencies in the community 
• Oversee relationship with in-house caterer 

 Communication 

• Responsible for working with the communications staff to develop marketing materials, social media posts, and communication around synagogue events and programs 
• Take photos at events when appropriate and send to Communication Director to use in congregational publicity 
• Help promote upcoming programs/events through personalized communication with congregants and with the wider community 

 Core Competencies 

• Creativity and Innovation: Comes up with new and unique ideas; easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions; takes acceptable risks in pursuit of innovation; learns from mistakes; has good judgment about which creative ideas and suggestions will work 
• Interpersonal skills: Establishes good working relationships with all colleagues; works well with people at all levels of the organization; builds appropriate rapport; considers the impact of his/her actions on others; uses diplomacy and tact; is approachable 
• Verbal communication: Can speak articulately and clearly in a variety of communication settings and styles; can get a spoken message across that has the desired effect; adjusts and fine-tunes communication in response to both verbal and non-verbal cues 
• Written communication: Can write clearly and succinctly; can get messages across that have a desired effect; clearly articulates message content and projects an appropriate tone 
• Congregant orientation: demonstrates concern for and attends to the needs of our congregants; projects a sense of empathy and understanding when interacting with congregants, ensures that congregants feel valued for their ideas, passions and skills 
• Project management: Identifies the key objectives and scope of a proposed project; garners needed resources and project support, develops a realistic and thorough plan for achieving key objectives, keeps team members briefed on progress, implements action plans, resolves barriers and problems 

 Abilities and Expectations 

• Knowledge and comfort with Reform Jewish principles and practices; understanding and/or experience in synagogue setting helpful  
• Ability and willingness to work evenings, Shabbat, holidays and weekends as needed 
• Participate in the Program & Engagement Professionals of Reform Judaism (PEP-RJ), with dues and professional development fees to be paid by Congregation Emanu El 
• Must be able to walk, sit and stand for extended periods of time and able to lift 25 lbs.