Director of Communications

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the communications strategy and calendar across programs, High Holy Days, public positioning, membership, and fundraising, in collaboration with Program and Advancement teams.
• Steward BJ's voice . Write, edit, and shape remarks, announcements, and statements with the Rosh Kehillah, rabbis, and senior leadership that carry BJ’s spiritual depth, inclusivity, and commitment to justice.
• Work with leadership on messaging , timing, tone, and audience in sensitive or high-visibility topics, with discretion throughout.
• Build intake and workflow systems that get the right work moving quickly, with clear priorities, realistic timelines, and honest answers about what the team can take on when.
• Manage the communications team (Associate Director of Communications, Social Media & Communications Manager, part-time designer) plus freelance and vendor relationships. Delegate while staying in the work.
• Own the Communications budget , vendor contracts, and production calendar.
• Serve as a core partner in planning with Program and Advancement teams, joining major initiatives at the visioning stage, and equip staff across BJ with templates and resources for routine work.
• Oversee the digital presence (website, email marketing, social channels, digital storytelling) and how each deepens engagement.
• Partner with A/V on recorded content, and pilot new formats such as podcasts and video.
• Support the member user experience across registration, payment, and donation forms, ensuring they work cleanly and connect into backend systems (Salesforce, Blackthorn, Airtable, Cvent).

Requirements

• Experience : 6+ years in communications, marketing, public affairs, or digital strategy, including 3+ years managing a team or function. Strong second-in-command candidates ready to step up are welcome.
• Writing : Exceptional writer and editor, able to capture distinct voices for varied audiences on complex or sensitive issues.
• Planning : Built and run multi-channel communications calendars across departments, informed by audience segmentation and feedback.
• Systems : Hands-on with WordPress, Mailchimp, social channels, and analytics. Familiarity with CRM and workflow integrations preferred; Salesforce, Blackthorn, Airtable, and Cvent a plus.
• Design : A strong eye across digital, print, and video, and the ability to direct freelance designers and producers.
• Judgment : Institutional instincts, emotional intelligence, and steadiness in sensitive or high-visibility moments.
• Management : Sets clear priorities, manages workload across a small team, stays constructive under volume, and is a visible presence in the BJ community.

Preferred

• Familiarity with Jewish communal life, the Jewish calendar, or synagogue culture (or comparable mission-driven nonprofit experience).
• Background in crisis communications, media relations, or public affairs.
• Experience repurposing recorded video/audio into web and social content.
• Fluency with modern AI workflow tools to accelerate drafting and team operations.

Benefits

• Highly subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance; short-term and long-term disability coverage; a 403(b) retirement plan; generous vacation and sick leave; more than 20 paid national and Jewish holidays; and additional benefits per BJ policy.