Membership and Engagement Director

WJC is 500 families, a full, fun, exciting calendar, and a truly alarming number of bagels. We're growing, and we are thrilled to be a first choice for Jewish families in our corner of Long Island.

You'll be the person who makes that happen: greets newcomers, makes introductions, rallies volunteers, and turns "We should do that!" into "That was great. When's the next one?"

What You'll Do

Welcome people

• Answer prospective-member inquiries, schedule tours, and follow up promptly and warmly.
• Run new-member onboarding: welcome call, a buddy family, and a first-event invitation.
• Make introductions with clergy, staff, and members who share interests.
• Keep longtime members delighted with fresh ways to participate.
• Be a warm, visible presence at services, programs, and events.

Build engagement

• Strengthen existing programs and launch new ones with clergy, staff, committees, and volunteers.
• Design events where people meet, connect, and want to come back.
• Gather member feedback and turn it into ideas worth trying.
• Own the small details so nothing falls into the gap between "I thought you had it" and "I thought you had it."

Get the word out

• Run email, newsletters, website, Facebook, and Instagram, with photos, stories, celebrations, and everyday moments.
• Keep one consistent, welcoming WJC voice.
• Thank sponsors promptly and recognize them well.

Make things happen

• Recruit, match, and thank volunteers, with clear assignments and easy ways to pitch in.
• Keep membership and participation data current, track participation and growth trends, and bring recommendations to the Executive Director.
• Keep every prospect's next step visible so promising connections stay warm.
• Find smart, affordable ways to get things done.

What We're Looking For

Must have

• Experience: 2 years in membership, outreach, community engagement, event coordination, nonprofit work, hospitality, customer relations, or relationship management.
• Social media and content skills: You can shoot a nice photo, edit a short video, write a caption people read, and keep a posting calendar. Send us examples!
• Strong writing: Warm, clear, and typo-free, from a welcome email to a newsletter.
• Connector instincts: You like meeting people of all ages, backgrounds, and stages, remember their names and details, and make introductions without being asked.
• Self-starter who finishes: You spot an opportunity, make a plan, rally the people, and cross the finish line. Consultation absolutely, but no hand-holding necessary.
• Tech comfort: Email marketing platform, social scheduling tools, Canva or similar, and Google Workspace or Microsoft Office. Membership database/CRM experience is a plus; we'll teach the rest.
• Data sense: You can keep clean records and turn simple numbers into a recommendation.
• Discretion: Member information stays confidential.
• Team player: You work well with clergy, staff, volunteers, and lay leaders, and move your own work forward.
• Availability: Some evenings, weekends, and holidays, agreed upfront, plus dependable transportation.

Nice to have

• Synagogue or Jewish communal experience.
• Comfort with Jewish traditions and the holiday calendar, and a welcoming attitude toward every kind of family and level of observance.
• Volunteer recruitment or fundraising and sponsorship experience.
• Basic website editing and photography skills.
• Fluent in oy (the warm, affectionate kind).

The Practical Details

• Hours: p/t or f/t, including agreed evening, weekend, and holiday commitments. Daytime hours flex to balance them.
• Expected schedule: A few Shabbat services and special events in the evenings during the year. We’ll work with the right person on a schedule that works for both of us.
• Location: at WJC
• Reports to: The Executive Director, who sets goals with you, reviews results, and adjusts as needed.
• Pace: Some weeks are all events and outreach; others are planning, relationships, and communications. Progress should be steady.
• Synagogue life doesn't keep Monday-to-Friday hours. We'll be clear about the schedule upfront, and we respect that you have a life outside work.

What Success Looks Like

• Prospective members get a quick reply, a warm visit, a thoughtful follow-up, and a clear path to joining.
• New members make friends fast. Longtime members find something new to love.
• More people show up, volunteer, and come back.
• Volunteers feel useful and appreciated, and sponsors feel thanked.
• Social channels are active, current, and recognizably WJC.
• We know what members value and use it to decide what to do next.
• Membership keeps growing. Specific goals are set with the Executive Director.

Sound Like You?

WJC has its own personality, traditions, and quirks. We like people who enjoy all three and bring warmth, initiative, curiosity, and a sense of humor. You don't need every answer on day one. You do need to turn "Somebody should do something about that" into "Already on it."

Please apply with a cover letter and resume.

Pay: $50,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• What interests you about helping build community and engagement within a synagogue?
• What experience do you have managing social media and creating content for an organization or business? Please briefly describe the platforms you have used.
• Are you comfortable proactively reaching out to members and prospective members and building relationships in person and by phone/email?
• This position requires attending a few evening, weekend, and occasional holiday programs. On average 2-4 per month. Are you able to meet this requirement?

Ability to Commute:

• Woodbury, NY 11797 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $50,000 - $70,000