POSTED ON October 24, 2025

Manager of Community Building, Adult Engagement

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Our Vision:

Central Synagogue is one of the leading and largest Reform congregations in the country. Located in Midtown Manhattan, Central’s reach includes more than 2,800 member families, a livestream community numbering in the hundreds of thousands, and more than 800 students, from birth to twelfth grade, in the Nursery and Religious schools. It has long played a significant role in the national Reform movement and is known for its innovation and leadership in worship, leading to a greatly expanded audience over the last two decades.

Central Synagogue works toward a world in which Judaism is core to the lives of Central members and Jews everywhere and is a profound and positive force for humanity. Central continually redefines what it means to be Jewish today, both within the Synagogue community and far beyond the Synagogue’s walls. The diverse clergy and professional team work hard, in collaboration with lay leadership, to build deep and enduring relationships among Central members, creating a caring, dynamic, and joyful community. Central Synagogue is an inclusive and welcoming community. The Synagogue encourages participation from all who seek a connection to Jewish life and want to be part of its sacred community regardless of religious background, race, ethnicity, gender, ability, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Central is committed to being an open tent, a place that welcomes all people, including those who have been historically and institutionally marginalized or excluded from the Jewish community. The Synagogue is well resourced, has over 100 staff, and is governed by a 29-member Board of Trustees. To learn more, please visit: https://www.centralsynagogue.org/.

Job Summary/Objective:

The Manager of Community Building on the Adult Engagement Team is responsible for fostering connections between members and between participants in our global online community (The Neighborhood). Using a relational and data-based approach in coordination with our Membership Team, the Manager ensures that Central’s members and Neighbors feel seen and known by one another through their participation in supportive, well-run small groups and in our online community.

Reports To:

Director of Online Engagement and Community Development

Department Hours:

Full-time, exempt and not eligible for OT, Monday through Thursday 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, Friday 8:30 – 4:30 pm, or equivalent, occasional evenings, expected to work some of the High Holy Days. Central Synagogue employees are not eligible for fully remote work.

Date:

October 2025

Essential Duties/Key Responsibilities:

Members

• In coordination with the Membership department, create new opportunities for members to meet one another and build relationships from the moment of onboarding forward.
• Serve as the lead network-builder for new and existing small groups (which we call CORE Groups), including recruiting, training and supporting new leaders, as well as recruiting members
• Support the planning and execution of programmatic and relational offerings for age-based cohorts (Chai Connections, 30s-40s group, etc.)
• As a member of the Adult Engagement Team, provide ad-hoc programmatic support as needed for important events throughout the year

Neighbors

• In collaboration with the Director of Online Engagement and Community Development, design and support “welcome” and orientation events for Neighbors, as well as support our yearly renewal process.
• Oversee the Ambassadors program and develop other strategies to ensure Neighbors are connected to offerings that meet their needs and interests.
• Serve as a moderator of our online community, monitoring participation, creating engagement opportunities and strengthening relationships between our Neighbors, and answering questions and concerns.
• Recruit, train, support and celebrate Neighbors who are interested in running small groups.
• Help plan and run annual Homecoming event for Neighbors.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in Jewish Studies, Education, Community Engagement, Social Work, Nonprofit Management, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 4–6 years of professional experience in community engagement, program management, adult education, or a related field.
• Experience working in a synagogue, Jewish communal, or mission-driven nonprofit setting strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers or lay leaders.
• Experience managing online communities or small-group programs (in-person or virtual) highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to build relationships and empower leaders across diverse populations and age groups.
• Proficiency with online community platforms (e.g., Mighty Networks) and CRM/database systems (e.g., Salesforce) preferred.
• Highly organized, able to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, and independent in working style.
• Comfortable with both creative and administrative tasks—able to move fluidly between relationship-building, event planning and execution, and systems work.
• Commitment to Central Synagogue’s mission and to fostering inclusive, relational Jewish community.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, including participation in High Holy Days and major synagogue events.
• Must work onsite in New York City during standard business hours, with some flexibility for hybrid meetings as approved.

A Week in the Life of the Manager of Community Building at Central

• Recruit and train volunteers to serve as the greeters for an annual weekend visit to Central
• Consult with members interested in starting a new CORE group
• Meet with the Communications, Events, and AV departments to review needs for upcoming Central events
• Write a post and/or add comments to our online community on Mighty Networks
• Plan the logistics and then co-lead an outing for members over age 70
• Send out e-mail reminders and follow-up for events through Salesforce
• Have coffee or a Zoom with a member looking for ways to find community at Central
• Match Neighbors with volunteer Ambassadors who will orient them to the online platform
• Plan and implement a system for grouping new members together into small cohorts for community building
• Field questions from the leaders of our book group about an upcoming event they are planning
• Send feedback after observing a new CORE group leader in action
• Plan and staff events (speakers, film screenings, volunteer trainings...) for the Central community and partner orgs

Other Duties:

Please note that the above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The expected salary range for this position is $70,000 to $85,000. Central Synagogue offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated and diverse community. The salary is commensurate with experience based on several factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, areas of specialization, and depth and scope of experience. The above salary range represents the Synagogue’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation range at the time of posting.

Additional Information:

Central Synagogue requires all staff members (full-time AND part-time) to (a) provide proof of vaccination and booster against COVID-19 or (b) obtain an approved exemption as an accommodation. If you are offered employment this requirement must be met by your hire date unless a reasonable accommodation for exemption is received and approved.

Hybrid Schedule:

One day remote on Monday and four days in the office.

Application Process:

To apply: Please click the link to complete the Manager of Community, Adult Engagement job application.