Community Engagement Manager

Job Title: Community Engagement Manager

Department: Joseph Stern Center for Social Responsibility

Job Overview

The Marlene Meyerson Jewish Community Center of Manhattan (the JCC) is seeking an inclusive, highly motivated, and community-focused individual to serve as our full-time Community Engagement Manager. This role ensures our social responsibility efforts are deeply embedded in both our local community and our diverse program areas.

Positioned within The Joseph Stern Center for Social Responsibility, the Community Engagement Manager provides leadership to the JCC's volunteer engagement, public education, and civic engagement strategies. You will identify, plan, and deliver programming that creates measurable, systemic impact on issues such as educational inequity, housing insecurity, immigrant justice, food insecurity, civic engagement, and election protection.

Crucially, this role serves as a bridge between social impact and community belonging. Working in close partnership with our Center for Jewish Living, you will ensure our social responsibility initiatives provide meaningful opportunities for Jewish enrichment, helping members connect their values to actionable community service. You will also frequently collaborate with local nonprofits, interfaith networks, schools, and government officials to build coalitions and drive community partnerships. Partnering with JCC staff in other departments that mount volunteer programs, from our children and families resources to our offerings for older adults, you will collaboratively develop programming for key audiences and membership groups.

This is a visible opportunity to work at one of New York City's most vibrant community institutions to expand the dialogue, heighten the value, and deepen the engagement of the JCC within the local community. This position is well-suited for an individual experienced in social justice work, community organizing, volunteer programming, or similar impact-driven work.

The Marlene Meyerson Jewish Community Center of Manhattan

Together with our community, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan creates a welcoming and vibrant environment where individuals from all walks of life come together to connect, grow, and learn. Rooted in Jewish values, it is a cornerstone of the Upper West Side that provides something for every stage of life through a multifaceted array of offerings-spanning comprehensive children's and family programs, cutting-edge health and wellness, thought-provoking arts and culture, and vital social services. It imagines Jewish life that is inclusive and diverse, creating a supportive space for people of all backgrounds to engage, nurture their well-being, and find a deep sense of belonging.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Program Leadership: Provide leadership across a suite of programs within the Center for Social Responsibility, ranging from the DC Open Arms network supporting new immigrants to direct service initiatives assisting New Yorkers in need.
• Volunteer Strategy & Execution: Serve as the key point of contact for volunteer initiatives, including associated educational programs and community drives. Manage end-to-end promotion, planning, and execution of an annual calendar of direct-service and skills-based volunteer opportunities that address pressing local social justice needs.
• Partnership Cultivation: Cultivate and strengthen relationships with key community partners, building interfaith and intergroup coalitions with nonprofits, schools, synagogues, churches, mosques, and government agencies.
• Jewish Life Integration: Collaborate directly with the Chief Jewish Life Officer and Center for Jewish Life staff to infuse Jewish values, learning, and tradition into volunteer programming, providing opportunities for Jewish enrichment and fostering a deep sense of belonging for participants.
• Public Education: Design and implement educational programs for members and the wider community that deepen public understanding of systemic social justice issues and inspire community-driven solutions.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Partner with JCC departments to create tailored programming for their constituencies; collaborate with the Development team to secure and sustain funding for volunteer engagement; and partner with the Marketing department to increase event participation.
• Impact Measurement & Budgeting: Oversee program budgets and track key program outcomes-moving beyond hours to measure true community impact-working closely with Finance to ensure strategic accountability.
• Database Management: Leverage the volunteer database and communications platforms to track data, inform program development, acknowledge volunteer milestones, and deepen participant involvement with the JCC.
• Coalition Building: Support the Center's broader advocacy efforts, such as planning and implementing monthly D3 Open Arms meetings, and lead JCC efforts to deepen local Jewish engagement in immigration justice.

REQUIREMENTS

• Experience: 4 or more years of experience in social justice, community outreach, organizing, managing volunteers, or similar work.
• Education: Bachelor's degree either completed or in progress.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Demonstrated understanding of systemic social justice issues and marginalized populations, with a history of involvement in advocacy or community-building.
• Cultural Competency: An understanding of, or a strong willingness to learn about and engage with, Jewish values (such as Tikkun Olam and Gemilut Hasadim) as they relate to social action.
• Strategic Execution: Ability to approach programs strategically with an eye on the big picture while simultaneously delivering on logistical details and operational success.
• Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional relationship-building skills with the ability to connect with diverse populations and community stakeholders.
• Technical Skills: Experience working with databases, tracking impact metrics, and managing program budgets.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Supportive, mission-driven work environment
• Health Benefits such as Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance + more
• Paid Vacation Time + a generous offering of Federal and Jewish/Secular Holidays
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Account
• Opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and leadership investment
• Access to all the JCC's cultural, learning, arts, and film programs
• Free fitness membership for the pool and health club
• Discounts on other JCC programs

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position; however, a willingness to work some flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, is required, as many community initiatives and volunteer events occur during these times.

Work Location

This role is based at our center on the Upper West Side, though regular off-site work will occur (e.g., meetings with schools, government officials, non-profits, and community partners).

Salary Range

$80,000 – $90,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, marital status and civil partnership/union status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other characteristic as established and protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

To Apply:

Please visit mmjccm.org/careers to apply. Please submit a cover letter and resume.