Communications Specialist, Office of the President

Passion. Purpose. Impact.  CJP is at the heart of Greater Boston's Jewish community, but our reach is felt around the world. Ranked by BBJ as Massachusetts’ largest non-profit organization – CJP is a philanthropic investor and mobilizer of people, resources, and skills that make a bigger difference locally and globally. We focus on making Jewish life and learning accessible to all individuals and families in Boston and beyond. We thoughtfully invest in the care and well-being of all community members. And we provide stability and growth to nonprofit organizations and institutions that underpin our community. Our greatest resource is our people — the staff, volunteers, partners and leaders who help make Greater Boston’s Jewish community a welcoming home. It’s this energy and commitment that drive CJP’s mission.

We are currently seeking a Communications Specialist working with the Office of our President and CEO, Rabbi Marc Baker. This is an exciting new position for someone who wants to work directly with leadership, has a natural curiosity of current-day issues, and an excellent grasp of social and digital tools for community engagement. 

Reporting to the VP, Marketing, the Communications Specialist works collaboratively with the Communications team, CJP’s PR agency, and executive leadership to help amplify the President and CEO’s messaging and thought leadership through digital channels with a significant focus on social media. The Communications Specialist also helps draft and edit timely communication messages and accompanies the President and CEO to community events and meetings. Successful candidates will bring a strong understanding of and a natural curiosity about Jewish culture, history, and contemporary Jewish life, which allows them to bring a unique perspective to speaking opportunities and communications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist in the execution of CJP’s President and CEO thought leadership and community engagement strategy and help to evaluate attendance at various speaking opportunities.

• Help to ensure the successful execution of external speaking opportunities and amplify messaging through multiple digital outlets.

• Regularly attend speaking engagements to assist President and CEO and other CJP leadership in successful execution; actively post across social channels from events, as appropriate.

• In conjunction with our PR agency, provide onsite coordination with press and media.

• Conduct original research to assist President and CEO in preparation for speaking engagements, community events, and other public-facing events. Offers insight on talking points based on knowledge of Jewish community, culture, and history. 

• In collaboration with the Communications team, regularly monitor news and stay abreast of local events to ensure the Executive Team is made aware of any relevant issues that need to be considered and/or addressed.

• Work with the President and CEO to capture his voice and help define key messages. Share messaging with internal stakeholders for review and integrate relevant feedback into communication.

• Assist the President and CEO with speaking commitments, which includes briefing him on upcoming speaking engagements, preparing materials for those commitments, and liaising internally and externally with regard to them. 

• Help to manage and grow the President and CEO’s social channels.

• Keep current on social media, mobile trends, and emerging digital technologies, bringing best practices from both the for-profit and nonprofit world to test innovative communications.  

• Other duties as assigned, with or without accommodation.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

• B.A. required

• Knowledge and understanding of contemporary Jewish issues, context, and nuances 

Experience:

• 1–3 years of experience in political campaigns, community organizing, nonprofits preferred

Skills/Competencies:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate through storytelling 

• Ability to research and fact check messaging details for speeches and other communication pieces 

• Extensive experience with digital tools and is well versed in helping to grow audience on digital channels

• Strong organizational skills and adept at managing self and others to a complicated schedule; ability to take detailed notes at events and follow up on action items

• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize and manage complex tasks, and work independently and under pressure with a wide variety of internal and external clients

• Ability to build trusting relationships and maintain confidentiality 

• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changes and shifting priorities

Other:

• Ability to attend events and meetings outside of normal business hours

• Access to transportation to attend events and meetings outside of normal business hours

• Familiarity with the Jewish community, history, culture, and contemporary Jewish life