Program Engagement Manager Position Description
Fulltime Position
Reports to: Director of Programs
Salary range: $75,000-85,000 Annually
Who We Are (Organization Overview & Vision):
At Congregation Emanu-El, we believe that Judaism guides us on our journey to be better people, create stronger community, and repair the world. Emanu-El is the fifth largest Jewish Reform congregation in the United States, with 1900 households, and is the oldest Jewish congregation west of the Mississippi. Officially established in 1850, and located in a landmark temple in San Francisco, Emanu-El serves as a foundation of community life for Jews and non-Jews, for members and non-members, with innovative programs in worship, community, education, social justice, and Israel that span the cycles and events of life. In 2025, after an extensive capital project to revitalize our historic building and to expand our ability to meet the strategic goal of being a welcoming and accessible home to all Jews throughout the Bay Area, we will be reopening our doors and expanding our programs to serve the evolving needs of our Jewish community. As members of the Union for Reform Judaism, our commitment to a strong, vibrant, Jewish and democratic state of Israel, secure within its borders, is unyielding. We recognize many of our community members hold diverse perspectives regarding the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Congregation Emanu-El believes in a future in which an Israeli and a Palestinian state exist side by side in peace.
Position Summary:
Overview
As the Program Manager at Congregation Emanu-El, you will play a pivotal role in supporting and enhancing the vibrant Young Adult community. Serving as the staff liaison for the lay-led young adult leadership committee, you will work closely with the young adult clergy lead to foster and expand a robust volunteer network. You will be responsible for performing the administrative tasks related to executing intentional and meaningful young adult programming and holiday events, including Congregation Emanu-El's monthly Late Shabbat service.
The Program Manager will also be integral in building community, connecting peers, and developing programs for various affinity, interest, and age-related groups within the congregation. Your duties will include planning and executing holiday celebrations, events, and meetups, managing lay leaders associated with these groups, and handling various administrative tasks related to these programs. With enthusiasm and a high-energy approach to your work, you will facilitate programming and opportunities for congregant connections that meet members' spiritual and communal needs and strengthen their relationship with Emanu-El and its core values of worship, learning, tikkun olam, and Israel.
In this role, you will collaborate with the entire Program Department to achieve the strategic vision and high-level programming goals set by the Director of Programs and Senior Leadership. You will work cross-functionally with stakeholders from the Clergy, Philanthropy, Communications, and Operations teams to drive key program initiatives aimed at enhancing membership engagement and retention.
Key Responsibilities
Program Development and Event Management
- Develop programming initiatives that are relevant to current trends in the Jewish world.
- Plan, organize, and manage all phases of a program/event lifecycle to ensure successful delivery by developing project schedules, managing issues/risks, and driving on-time execution with cross-functional team members and stakeholders.
- Oversee the member community calendar and develop engaging content for all our community members.
- Partner with leadership to activate and leverage the member community to support organizational goals.
- Collaborate with members of our Development and Communications teams to ensure alignment with community content and scaled communications.
Community Engagement and Volunteer Management:
- Manage and support lay leaders in their roles to ensure effective and impactful programming.
- Administratively support lay-led committees including calendaring, scheduling, note-taking, preparing meeting materials, etc.
- Build trust and develop deep relationships with our member community and internal staff.
- Leverage data and key insights to improve the member experience.
- Partner closely with the Community & Membership team to drive awareness of the organization, execute member engagement initiatives, and effectively measure the value and success of those programs.
Administrative Tasks and Additional Duties:
- Order materials and supplies for programs and events.
- Write content and descriptions for relevant communications.
- Work with Facilities, Security, and Operations teams to ensure compliancy.
- Tasks as needed to support the Director of Programs and fellow Programs Manager
Who You Are (Required Skills/Abilities)
- Strong familiarity with the Jewish calendar, practices, and traditions.
- A critical thinker and creative problem-solver.
- Value the importance of Jewish connection and community.
- Appreciates the diversity of the San Francisco Jewish community.
- Experience in building, fostering, and managing communities.
- Ability to effectively manage lay-leader and volunteer groups.
- Familiarity with community platforms and tools.
- Passionate about building deep, meaningful relationships.
- Strong, clear written and verbal communication skills with the ability to comfortably interact with and influence cross-functional teams across the organization.
- An energetic, self-starter who can learn as they go.
- Capable of handling numerous tasks and projects at once while meeting deadlines.
- Big-picture thinker with an eye for small details.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.
Must Haves (Qualifications)
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
- 3+ years of experience in community management, customer support, or related fields.
- Ability to work on Jewish holidays and a willingness to regularly work evenings, nights and weekends as needed for events and programs.
Job Types: Full-time, Contract
Pay: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year commensurate with experience
Benefits:
- 403 (b)
- 403(b) matching
- Employee assistance program
- Retirement plan
Ability to Relocate:
- San Francisco, CA 94118: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in San Francisco, CA 94118
