About Us:

The New Synagogue Project (“NSP”) is a membership synagogue located in Petworth and Columbia Heights, D.C. Our mission is to build a spiritually vibrant, radically inclusive Jewish community that reflects our vision for a world of justice, equity, and liberation. Our community is built by and for religious, secular, and atheist Jews, families with kids, partnered and single people, queer and trans people, disabled and chronically ill people, D/deaf and hard of hearing folks, interfaith families, Jews of color and white Jews, and anyone interested in exploring and experiencing Jewish life. We are a multiracial community committed to dismantling racism and white supremacy.

As the Operations Manager, you will work closely with the Synagogue Director as well as the Rabbi and several lay leaders to drive and oversee the administrative functions of NSP, to ensure NSP continues to offer high quality programs with smooth operations to support our 500+ members. 

About You (You have most of the following traits):

  • You’re eager to take initiative; when you see a problem, you think through a solution and implement or propose it swiftly.
  • You thrive working independently and are able to carry projects forward with minimal supervision and knack for detail, data, and logistics, and being detail-oriented is one of your strongest qualities.
  • You’re dead set on crossing every ‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’ when planning an event to make sure it runs smoothly and joyfully from start to finish, and you’re flexible and adaptive to unexpected circumstances.
  • You have excellent communication skills and are able to communicate clearly and transparently with both individuals and groups through email and over the phone. And you go out of your way to foster connections between people and want to help people solve problems and work collaboratively.
  • You’re comfortable learning and teaching yourself new technology platforms, such as Breeze, our database tool.
  • You’re familiar with G Suite (GoogleDrive, Gmail, Google Meet, etc.) and have experience with spreadsheets (Excel/Google Sheets), Microsoft Word, including mail merge, Zoom, a database/CRM tool, a website editor such as WordPress, and an email communications platform such as MailChimp.
  • You have at least 3 years of professional experience in fields such as administration, logistics, planning, or events coordination. Experience in volunteer-driven organizations is a plus.
  • You have experience managing staff and volunteers, particularly in the context of running events.
  • You are familiar with Jewish religious life and culture or interested in learning. (You do not need to be Jewish!)
  • You are passionate about furthering the mission of NSP, as a radically inclusive, liberation-focused synagogue, and committed to anti-racism and accessibility values.

About the Role:

It is a full-time role requiring 40 hours/week, reporting to the Synagogue Director. The position is located in Washington, D.C. It is currently a remote position with some in-person responsibilities. In-person presence at community events in Washington DC and nearby areas (e.g., Silver Spring, MD) is required. 

The position will require weekend and evening hours, including Friday evenings twice per month (5:00-10:30pm) and Saturday mornings at least twice per month (8:00am-1:00pm), plus occasional special events and Jewish holiday programming on Sundays or weekday evenings. The position will have flex hours during the week to accommodate the evening and weekend work. 

This role requires the use of a cell phone and laptop, as well as access to the internet and a driver’s license. Position includes a technology stipend of $20/month and can provide a laptop. 

NSP mandates COVID vaccination for all staff, as well as any attendees of in person events. Masks and COVID-19 testing are also currently required for indoor events. 

This is a new position. It is funded for the next year, and we hope that it will renew depending on funding.

The person in this position will be responsible for: 

  • Managing and improving systems and policies
    • Identifying needs, priorities, opportunities, and pathways to continually improve NSP’s systems and policies as we continue to grow, and partnering with other NSP staff and leaders to design and implement solutions
    • Keeping our membership database up-to-date, training & supporting volunteers’ and staff’s use of the database, and managing NSP’s G Suite programs
  • Administering daily operations and logistics that support fundraising, financial operations, and membership, including:
    • Coordinating with venues on space rental agreements and logistics, including scheduling and troubleshooting issues that arise. 
    • Data management including keeping membership dues and donation information current, managing the annual pledge renewal process, and running regular database reports
    • Contractor/vendor onboarding, invoice processing, and expense tracking
    • Checking the PO Box (located in Park View, D.C.) weekly and processing mail and checks
    • Ordering, organizing, and managing supplies, ensuring all events and programs have what they need where they will be
  • Coordinating communications, including:
    • Managing the email communications calendar and coordinating with social media manager to promote upcoming events and programs 
    • Responding to member inquiries via email or determining who should respond
    • Designing and sending twice weekly events newsletters
    • Keeping MailChimp email lists up-to-date 
    • Updating NSP’s website
  • Managing events and programming planning and logistics, including:
    • Managing Event Staff (PT position) to ensure onsite logistics run smoothly and Event Staff has all information and supplies needed to be successful, troubleshooting and filling in onside as needed
    • Event planning and coordination for special events, such as Purim, Hanukkah, Annual Membership Meeting, and High Holidays, in partnership with volunteer leaders
    • Working with staff, leaders, and volunteers to ensure set up, clean up, greeters, and other volunteer roles for in-person events are filled and volunteers are supported with instructions and training as needed 
    • Administrative support and oversight for volunteer-led programs, such as Justice Team teach-ins, Arts & Culture events, Learning courses, Spirituality & Ritual workshops, and Kids Team gatherings
    • Coordinating adult education schedule, creating and publicizing course registration and managing course logistics
  • Coordinating and overseeing accessibility for all NSP events and operations, including:
    • Partnering with the volunteer led Access Team to identify unmet access needs and make plans to address them
    • Addressing individual accessibility requests and connecting with NSP leaders and volunteers as needed to ensure there is a plan for meeting the access needs of those who wish to participate
    • Ensuring all event and program communications include accessibility instructions and are designed using accessibility best practices
    • Coordinating ASL interpretation, CART captioning, ramps, and other access equipment & personnel needed to make Synagogue programming and operations accessible to all who hope to join

Pay and Benefits:

  • The position pays $70,000 per year and is a full-time role requiring approximately 40 hours/week (some weeks may require more, and there is comp time when that occurs)
  • 401k plan with a 3% employer contribution that vests immediately
  • Technology stipend of $20/month while position is remote
  • Healthcare reimbursement
  • 16 days of paid vacation per year, 13 days of sick leave, 11 federal holidays plus additional Jewish holidays when our offices are closed, and 16 weeks parental leave.

Application Process:

To apply, please submit an application here. We will review applications on a rolling basis with priority given to applications received by September 25. Candidates who advance after an initial interview will be asked to complete an exercise before a second round interview. Finalists will be asked to submit 2-3 references. We hope to fill the position by early November. 

NSP is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to racial equity, accessibility, and social justice. Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews, Black and Indigenous people, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA people are strongly encouraged to apply. NSP does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, sex, age, gender identity or expression, or other status protected by applicable law.