Careers

Employee Engagement Manager 

Location: Remote/In-person meetings, as needed 

Organization: Union for Reform Judaism 

Employment Type: Full Time, Benefits Eligible  

Department: People & Culture 

Reporting to: Director, People & Culture and Strategic Initiatives 

Start Date: As soon as possible

Salary Range: $65,000 - $70,000 plus competitive benefits package 

Level/Salary Grade: Subject Matter Expert (Intermediate) / B 

The Role 

The Union for Reform Judaism’s (URJ) People & Culture team seeks an experienced Employee Engagement Manager passionate about fostering a dynamic, affirming, and collaborative work environment where every team member feels valued and motivated. With a focus on impact, retention, and growth, and the principles of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion (REDI), the Employee Engagement Manager collaboratively creates and fosters a positive organizational culture that enhances employee connection to the URJ mission and values, organizational priorities and targets, and other employees.  

What You Will Do 

The Employee Engagement Manager reports to the Director of People & Culture and Strategic Initiatives and is responsible for the following: 

Employee Engagement & All Staff Experiences 

• Foster a workplace where employees from a wide range of backgrounds (including People of Color, LGBTQ+ identifying, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups) feel connected to the work and prioritize REDI principles. 

• Create and foster a culture of accountability and a shared sense of responsibility around employee engagement with a focus on strategies to increase (1) open and honest two-way communication among staff, (2) collaboration and integration between Home Teams, (3) opportunities for learning and growth, and (4) organizational alignment. 

• Use URJ standards for Communities of Belonging to organize team-building opportunities that strengthen employee relationships and integration between departments.  

• Leverage all-staff experiences (both in-person and virtual) to create and sustain dialogue around engagement priorities. Coordinate all-staff and people manager meetings with the Director of People & Culture. Support the planning and execution of bi-annual all-staff in-person retreats.  

• Coordinate monthly learning sessions by and for staff to learn about work happening in other areas of the organization and the Reform movement. 

• Oversee and manage employee onboarding experience ensuring that new employees, hiring managers, and onboarding partners understand and are prepared for all elements of the onboarding experience.  

• Recognize and celebrate individual employees and team successes to increase integration, collaboration, motivation, and morale.  

• Gather feedback to assess employee satisfaction and identify areas for enhancement. Analyze engagement data to refine strategies and make data-driven recommendations.  

• Stay current on industry trends to ensure effective engagement practices. 

Intranet Management & Internal Communications 

• Oversee and manage daily operations of the URJ intranet (The Service Center), which serves as a self-service resource, information center, and internal communication hub for URJ employees.  

• Develop and implement a strategy to further enhance and promote the Service Center as a platform to strengthen employee engagement, open and honest communication, and internal integration.  

• Collaborate with key stakeholders and site managers to ensure the proper maintenance and enhancements for the Service Center. Stay current on best practices and ongoing opportunities to increase the effectiveness and impact of the Service Center.  

• Collaborate with necessary stakeholders to support the org-wide alignment of internal messaging, including but not limited to the OneURJ newsletters and calendar of events.  

Team & Organizational Support 

• Consistently provide excellence in service delivery for all aspects of the employee life cycle. Support the HR team as needed. 

• Support existing employees who transition roles within the URJ and may need onboarding support in their new role.  

• Support URJ org-wide priorities.  

Who You Are & Keys to Success (the must-haves): 

To be successful in this job, you excel in the following areas: 

• Employee Engagement. An enthusiastic team player with a strong drive to create a positive and effective work environment. Have an eye on the human side of business by creating a work environment that strategically elevates the employee experience. Able to create and / or update policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure they are accessible to all employees and align with organizational values. Able to effectively and efficiently help employees navigate challenges, set goals, and create organizational change.  

• Communication. Maintain regular, open, honest, and respectful communication. Speaks clearly and listens to understand what is being shared. Asks clarifying questions. Demonstrates group presentation and facilitation skills. Writes clearly and informatively. Varies writing style to meet needs. Able to use technology platforms to share visual and written messages. Uses technology to increase productivity and impact. Ability to connect internal messages to org-wide priorities and targets.   

• Data Management & Evaluation. Able to read and evaluate both quantitative and qualitative data. Able to articulate and translate data findings to others and interpret potential practical implications of the data.  

• Collaborate & Connect. Thrives on creating and sustaining a climate of inclusion, trust, and productivity. Hold yourself and others accountable for delivering on commitments on time and within budget. Offers assistance and support to co-workers. Initiate respectful, open dialogue to resolve issues when expectations are not met. Educate yourself on the work of the URJ outside of your area. Consider how your work can align with and strengthen others. Connect people and ideas to focus on continuous improvement opportunities within and across teams. 

• Self-Management. Meets commitments. Solicits feedback. Responds promptly.  Able to scope a project, identifying purpose, outcomes, roles, and processes related to shared outcomes. Follow through with tasks on the agreed timeline. Proactively communicate if you are going to miss a deadline. Identify tools and processes that will increase and support accountability. Utilize effective time management tools to help with setting and meeting deadlines. Ask for help and support as needed. Displays empathy and sensitivity.  

• REDI Experience (Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion). Demonstrated experience or willingness to prioritize URJ Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (i.e., ableism, LGBTQIA+ Inclusion, antiracism, etc.) priorities. Willingness to seek out voices from diverse backgrounds to build ideas and make decisions. Prioritize outreach to multi-racial, marginalized communities. Plan and budget through a REDI lens using URJ resources.  

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

• occasional in-person meetings, as needed 

• In-person all-staff gathering February 3 – 5, 2025. 

About Us 

​​Every team member at the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) plays an essential role in our mission to create a whole, just, and compassionate world. Our team is creative, thoughtful, and innovative. Each member of the team is empowered to make meaningful contributions to achieving our shared goals. Our diverse team is made up of individuals with different skills and backgrounds and every team member is willing to take risks as well as take action to develop and create big ideas for the future of the Reform Movement. While this position focuses on a particular area of work, every team member is a vital part of our overall success.   

​The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) provides vision and voice to build strong communities that, together, transform the way people connect to Judaism and change the world. We acknowledge that due to racism, ableism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression, that our communities are not whole until everyone experiences a sense of belonging within the Jewish community. As the largest Jewish movement in North America, we stand for a Judaism that is inclusive and reflective of a wide range of identities and accept the responsibility of dismantling oppression both inside and outside of our communities. Through camping, youth experiences, programs, information sharing, and networking opportunities, our over 850 congregations and 14 residential camps create opportunities for our communities to enhance their capacity to build and expand community, engage in meaningful and authentic Jewish life, deepen Jewish learning, energize worship, pursue social justice and develop inspired leadership. Together, our employees and stakeholders, are creating Reform Judaism of today.​ 

Application Process 

Apply online and include a one-page cover letter along with your resume, outlining your skills and experience and how you meet the essential functions and qualifications of the position. We look forward to hearing from you!     

The URJ strives to be a welcoming and inclusive environment that acknowledges diversity as a critical strength. We promote strenuous policies and practices of equal opportunity and diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is our objective to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals including those of any race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits, and terminations. The URJ encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+, and other often underrepresented groups.