Director of Community Programs

Temple Mishkan Israel

Selma, Alabama

Temple Mishkan Israel (TMI) seeks a Director of Community Programs (DCP) to steward the revitalization of this historic synagogue as a center for interfaith engagement, community healing, capturing tourism (by coalescing the players in Selma’s community structures) as the goal. TMI seeks to be a catalyst for progress, lifelong learning, education, and programming that brings the community together. The DCP will work in partnership with Ronnie Leet, lifelong resident of Selma and member of TMI. He is on the ground and continues to welcome visitors as he champions the future of the Selma and TMI legacy. The DCP will also work with the TMI Board of Directors along with community partners. The DCP will coordinate all aspects of program development and community outreach, while positioning TMI as a resource for learning and engagement in economic development - within and beyond the Jewish community.

This position offers an opportunity to address the past that serves as a primer for shaping what must be done to create a path forward for one of America’s most important small towns. Creating hope as a change agent of what can be different for Selma can be someone’s legacy.

Responsibilities:

• Program management
  • Develop and manage programs that connects TMI to arts, education, culture, and Jewish life in Alabama and beyond
  • Create and execute outreach and marketing strategies
  • Manage all logistical planning related to programs and events at TMI
  • Help recruit, train, and manage volunteers and part-time staff members to staff events, programs, and tours
  • Create and maintain event-related evaluations to provide board members, funders, and community stakeholders with metrics and feedback on the outcome of programs and events
• Community outreach
  • Cultivate and expand existing relationships with community, political, and faith leaders in Selma and across Alabama and beyond
  • Build and sustain strong partnerships with peer institutions across the South
  • Promote TMI as an indispensable site for both Selma residents and visitors
  • Interface with tour companies and tourism agencies to promote TMI as part of Alabama's civil rights network
• Strategic support
  • Support and assist with fundraising efforts, including building relationships with individual donors and foundations, and writing some grants to promote programming initiatives
  • Support visitor services, including hosting tour groups, as needed
  • Support facilities management and historic preservation initiatives, as needed.

Requirements

Hybrid position – not fully remote. Residency in Selma is desired but is not required. It is necessary that one live in Montgomery, Birmingham, or somewhere else within a reasonable commute to Selma. The position does require presence in Selma approximately 3 days a week plus some weekends depending on programming. When not in Selma it is expected that the DCP will work diligently to continue establishing the TMI posture of promoting tourism across many boundaries.   Traveling to other communities will promote Selma and TMI’s relationship to the future.  

Qualifications

 Strong applicants will have:

• Experience in community engagement, program development, fundraising, marketing, and outreach
• Commitment to Temple Mishkan Israel's mission, vision, and values
• Experience with Southern history and/or culture and commitment to racial equity and social justice
• Experience working with a Board of Directors and with descendant communities
• Knowledge of evaluation and strategic planning
• Experience in creating, tracking, and managing budgets
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent managerial skills
• Organizational skill and attention to detail
• Self-starter and motivated to identify potential relationships

Salary and Benefits

Commensurate with experience, salary range: $60-$80,000, with benefits. 

How to Apply

Prior to applying, please review the TMI “Selma Temple” website (https://www.selmatemple.org) including the vision and values outlined therein. To apply, please send a resume and contact information for two references to: Mike Siegel, Board Chair:  [email protected]