Community and Operations Administrator

Kehilat Hadar Shaare Zedek seeks an organized professional to support our community and building operations.  We are an independent, traditional, egalitarian, and lay-led community. We hold weekly Shabbat morning services, frequent holiday services, and occasional Friday night services, as well as learning sessions, community meals, and other programming.  In 2024, we moved into our beautifully redeveloped home on West 93rd Street on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and began the formal process of merging our communities. We have an exciting future ahead — come be a part of it!

Position Summary

We’re looking for a dynamic professional who loves wearing multiple hats and thrives at the intersection of people and operations. As our Community & Operations Administrator, you’ll be the heartbeat of our synagogue—the person who makes everything work, from Shabbat kiddush to building management, from welcoming new members to managing rental events.

This isn’t just a desk job. You’ll collaborate with passionate volunteers and lay leaders, connect with diverse community members, coordinate meaningful programs, and ensure our beautiful space serves both our community and generates revenue through smart rental management. If you’re energized by variety, love solving problems and learning new skills, and want to make a real impact in a warm, engaged community, this role is for you.  You’ll report to the President of the Board of Trustees, or to another board member. 

Responsibilities

Central point of contact & member services 

• Respond promptly and warmly to questions and concerns from members and the public
• Manage membership from inquiry to renewal, keeping our community connected and growing, and our records up-to-date

Program & Event Coordination

• Maintain a comprehensive building calendar with community programs, rental, and tenant usage, in collaboration with lay leadership
• Support board and volunteers in planning  services and programs
• Coordinate logistics: liaising with caterers, booking childcare, ordering supplies, etc.
• Be the point person for weekly kiddush, working with community sponsors, placing orders, receiving/verifying deliveries (or supervising others who do so) and directing custodial staff
• Manage administrative needs for special events, including High Holidays and the community’s annual Shavuot retreat

Digital Communications 

• Prepare both recurring and one-off communications through email, WhatsApp, and social media 
• Keep our digital presence fresh and engaging across multiple platforms

Rentals & Facilities Management

• Serve as the primary point person for the Hadar Institute, our main tenant, coordinating shared space usage and ensuring facilities needs are met
• Develop our rental business, and manage rental process from initial contact through to post-event
• Supervise security and custodial services for daily operations and special events
• Coordinate with third-party vendors and contractors for building maintenance, repairs, and improvements (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.)
• Manage building-related emergency situations and coordinate appropriate responses

Financial Administration

• Maintain financial records including membership dues, donations, programs, kiddush, rentals and building-related income and expenses QuickBooks and in ShulCloud
• Ensure rental income and vendor payments are processed and recorded accurately

Minimum Qualifications

We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every single qualification.

• 2+ years of experience in community management, nonprofit administration, or similar role
• Strong interpersonal skills with customer service orientation
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities 
• Ability to work collaboratively with lay leaders and supervise vendors and building staff
• Strong organizational, time management, and project management skills, with superior attention to detail
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with discretion and empathy
• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends for community events, and more intensively in the month before and during the High Holidays and in the month before Shavuot
• Comfortable with financial record-keeping
• Comfortable with or willing to learn basic facility management concepts and building systems
• Proficiency in Google Workspace suite and willingness to learn new processes and tools 

Preferred qualifications 

Preference for applicants with one or more of the following:

• 5+ years experience in community management, nonprofit administration, or a similar role
• Familiarity with synagogue management
• Knowledge of Jewish traditions and practices
• Experience with ShulCloud or other CRM systems
• Experience with communication tools such as WhatsApp
• Experience with financial management and proficiency with QuickBooks  (comfortable with record-keeping, basic accounting, budgeting, and accounts payable/receivable processes)
• Experience with vendor management and contract negotiation
• Experience with commercial building management in New York City

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: Approximately $66,560-$72,800 annually for full-time, commensurate with level of experience.

Schedule:

• Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week
• Hybrid work arrangement: minimum of 3 days per week on-site, with some flexibility
• Some evening and weekend work may be required for special events or facility emergencies; presence may be needed on select shabbatot and certain holidays

Benefits:

• Vacation: 3 weeks + certain Jewish holidays 
• Sick time aligned to NY State
• Flex time and comp days for off-schedule work
• Health care benefits negotiable

The Intangibles:

• Play a vital role in a warm, engaged community
• Collaborate with passionate volunteers who care deeply about this work
• Contribute to people’s Jewish lives and in the NYC community