Community Relations Manager

Description

Compensation

We’ll pay you an annual salary of $60,000 - $65,000.

About the Job

Shalom Austin seeks a dynamic, relationship-driven Community Relations Manager to advance the organization's mission by building bridges, strengthening community ties, and fostering meaningful partnerships across the Austin region.

The Community Relations Manager will lead efforts to build and sustain relationships across diverse communities, including civic, business, faith-based, and cultural institutions, while also strengthening intra-community connections within the Austin Jewish community. This role blends strategy, outreach, program development, and coalition-building to position Shalom Austin as a trusted and engaged community partner.

You’ll wow us by masterfully performing the following key duties and responsibilities:

Essential functions:

Community & External Relations

• Support the development and implementation of strategies to build authentic, long-term relationships across racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural communities in the Austin area.
• Support lay leaders through the community mapping process, engaging lay leaders to be liaisons to community leadership and organizations.
• Establish and manage partnerships with key external stakeholders, including local businesses, chambers of commerce, civic organizations, and major cultural  entities such as ACL (Austin City Limits) and SXSW.
• Identify and coordinate opportunities for intergroup and interfaith collaboration that advance shared community goals.
• Represent Shalom Austin in community coalitions, public forums, and meetings across the city and region.
• Maintain awareness of and engagement with priority issues impacting diverse communities and stakeholders.

Intra-Jewish Community Engagement

• Support and strengthen relationships and collaboration across the Austin Jewish community for Public Affairs priorities, including synagogues, schools, nonprofits, and community organizations. 
• Facilitate dialogue across diverse sectors of the Austin Jewish community to strengthen understanding, collaboration, and shared community goals.
• Foster alignment and communication among stakeholders to build a unified and inclusive Jewish communal voice.

Bridgebuilding & Program Development

• Collaborate in the design and execution of innovative programs and initiatives that promote dialogue, understanding, and coalition-building.
• Develop content and programming that connect Jewish community priorities with broader community interests.
• Maintain professional expertise on trends and issues in community relations, bridgebuilding, and civic engagement.

Additional Responsibilities

• Represent Shalom Austin at meetings and events throughout Austin and the broader region.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Public Affairs.

Physical demands

Must be able to meet routine office physical demands including climbing stairs, carrying up to 20-pound objects and possessing the dexterity and vision to operate office computers and equipment.

Our great benefits

•  We’ll provide a FREE membership to the fitness and aquatics center, and offer you discounts on programs, including personal training.
• We are a learning organization! Our staff have regular opportunities for training and continuing education.
• We offer outstanding medical insurance coverage through Cigna, and we’ll pay over 80% of the premium cost of our base plan on your behalf.  
• You will have the option to contribute to our 403(b) with and the opportunity for a company match.
• We provide life and long-term disability insurance, and we pay 100% of the cost for you. 
• We will give you lots of paid time off. First-year employees receive: 18 days of paid time off, and more than 15 Jewish and Federal holidays. 
• We’ll offer you up to a 50% discount for your kiddos in our amazing early childhood program, as enrollment allows.  
• You will have access to our amazing Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• We understand that you need a work/life balance and that you have commitments outside of the workplace, so we’ll do our very best to offer you some flexibility in your work schedule.  
• We’ll provide you with the opportunity to make a difference in the Central Texas Jewish community every day.   

Requirements

•  Bachelor’s degree
• 3-5 years of professional experience in community engagement, public affairs, nonprofit leadership, coalition-building, government relations, or related fields. 
• Excellent research, written, verbal communication and proofreading skills are essential. 
• Experience working collaboratively and effectively with diverse lay leaders, volunteers and colleagues. 
• Understanding of committee management and development. 
• Skilled in program development, management and evaluation.
• Passion for community organizing, relationship-building, and civic engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships across diverse communities and sectors.
• Familiarity with the Austin civic, cultural, and nonprofit landscape preferred.

Preferred education and experience

• Master’s degree preferred with coursework in religion, civic and community engagement, public affairs or related fields. 

Travel and Schedule Expectations

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed for community events and meetings.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel locally throughout the Austin area.

Please note that successful candidates for this position may be subject to a background check as part of the hiring process. will be used to assess eligibility for employment. Any discrepancies may result in the withdrawal of the job offer or termination of employment. All information will be handled confidentially and in accordance with applicable laws.