Director of Engagement

The Director of Engagement will serve as the lead staff for member engagement at Congregation Kol Ami. This position entails building a culture of belonging, and designing and implementing a comprehensive plan that develops and supports member engagement.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

We are seeking a dynamic, warm, and creative professional to lead our congregational engagement efforts. The ideal candidate will be:

• A relationship builder who cultivates welcoming and inclusive spaces where members feel valued and connected.
• A collaborative team player who thrives in partnership with clergy, staff, volunteers, and lay leaders.
• A visionary leader who can translate big-picture goals into impactful programs and experiences.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND SKILLS:

• Minimum five years of relevant experience
• Bachelor’s degree required (advanced degree in Jewish communal work, education, or related field preferred).
• Strong leadership, project management, and event planning
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication
• Understanding of Jewish traditions, customs, and communal dynamics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT, ENGAGEMENT, AND RETENTION

• Create, promote, and facilitate membership strategies designed to attract, engage and retain members. On-boarding of new members by helping them connect to other members and synagogue groups that align with the new member’s interests and/or passions. 
• Work closely with Executive Director, clergy, designated staff, membership committee and appropriate lay leaders in developing and implementing membership and engagement programs.
• Serve as lead staff for Membership/Engagement Committee.  Manage lay leadership as they facilitate member engagement initiatives (recruitment, new member welcoming  process, in-reach phone calls, programming)
• Conduct new member intake, emails, conversations, meetings, tours, etc. as necessary.  Manage new member experience from initial phone call to receipt of membership forms.  Maintain regular communication with potential new member families to ensure smooth “registration” process.
• Create and advance strategies designed to encourage current members to participate in new areas of synagogue life.  Develop and/or manage strategies related to key transition points, e.g., preschool to religious school, post b’nai mitzvah, empty nesters, etc.
• Partner with clergy, staff, and leadership to help members deepen their connections with others and to Kol Ami.
• Work with Executive Director and staff to oversee membership renewal and commitment process.
• Communicate with clergy, senior staff, and appropriate lay leaders regarding members’ personal or institutional concerns and life cycle events.

COMMUNICATIONS

• Serve as Editor of weekly and Shabbat emails to congregation. Work with designer to ensure that all necessary information is included correctly.
• Work with committee chairs and graphic design team to manage creation of program fliers, registrations, and materials as needed.
• Work with local Jewish press on ads, press releases and listings.

 PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

• Plan, coordinate and facilitate synagogue programming. Serve as support for programming as needed in other departments.
• Plan and coordinate major Synagogue programs (including monthly pre-Shabbat service hors d’eurves) and supervise to ensure a smooth and successful execution.
• Daily interaction with committees, auxiliaries, and members to assist with needs from the synagogue for lay planned/led programs.
• Evaluate programs and provide feedback as needed.
• Work with Executive Director to train and review programming procedures with lay leadership as needed.
• Coordinate volunteer program planning committees among membership to assist with brainstorming and program support.
• Develop and implement ways to recruit, connect, motivate, and honor volunteers.
• Work with Executive Director and fundraising committee to create and facilitate synagogue fundraising programs and events. 

Congregation Kol Ami is a unified congregation of over 700 families in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  We are a dynamic, inclusive and nurturing community and find holiness in being fully present for one another through life’s ordinary and extraordinary moments.

We seek to find bold purpose and deep connections through the creative exploration of avodah (prayer), talmud Torah (Torah learning), tikkun olam (repairing/healing the world), and acts of g’milut chasadim (loving kindness).

The wisdom of our Jewish tradition empowers us to re-imagine our lives, inspiring personal growth and encouraging a deeper understanding of who we are as individuals and as a congregational family.  https://www.kolaminj.org/

TO APPLY:  Please send resume and cover letter to [email protected]