Manager of Special Projects

Key Essential Job Duties:

Leadership and Strategy:

Maintain and grow JCC’s reputation as a community leader in providing opportunities for cultural enrichment and engagement across all demographics.
Create and implement a forward-thinking vision and strategies to provide many points of connection to enrich and inspire Jewish identity and build community for community members of all ages.
Work with staff to maximize reach and impact and to ensure fiscal responsibility for department budget.
JCC Maccabi

Coordinate JCC Chicago’s participation in JCC Maccabi, including athlete recruitment, registration, family communication, coach and delegation-head coordination, travel logistics, uniforms, scheduling, and required documentation.
Serve as the primary point of contact for participating families, coaches, host communities, and national JCC Maccabi representatives.
Ensure that all participants meet program, travel, medical, behavioral, and safety requirements.
Develop opportunities to strengthen the local Maccabi community before and after the Games.
Manage the Maccabi budget, registration revenue, expenses, scholarships, and vendor relationships.
Support the development of a positive delegation culture grounded in teamwork, Jewish values, sportsmanship, and community.
Specialty and Community-Responsive Programming

Plan and execute one-time specialty programs, including programs developed in response to current events, community interests, Jewish communal moments, or partnership opportunities.
Coordinate programs such as Blooms for Bibas and other initiatives that bring community members together through education, service, reflection, advocacy, or creative engagement.
Assess proposed opportunities for mission alignment, audience interest, operational feasibility, financial impact, and community relevance.
Work with internal and external partners to develop meaningful and timely program content.
Ensure that sensitive or community-responsive programs are implemented thoughtfully and in coordination with organizational leadership and Marketing and Communications.
Lake County

Support the development and implementation of an expanded JCC Chicago presence in Lake County.
Identify community interests, program gaps, partnership opportunities, and potential program locations.
Build and maintain relationships with synagogues, schools, community organizations, municipalities, businesses, and other Lake County partners.
Develop pilot programs and evaluate participation, financial performance, community response, and opportunities for continued growth.
Coordinate program calendars to establish a consistent and recognizable JCC presence in the region.
Gather participant feedback and engagement data to inform future investment and expansion decisions.
Act as onsite program manager for special events and secure staffing for effective execution of all community programming.
After-School Enrichment and School Days-Off Programming

Develop and coordinate after-school enrichment programs and programming offered when schools are closed.
Identify program concepts, instructors, vendors, locations, schedules, and target audiences.
Manage vendor outreach, contracts, insurance documentation, background screening, and program requirements.
Coordinate registration, transportation, staffing, space reservations, supplies, and participant communication.
Monitor enrollment and financial performance and make recommendations regarding continuation, modification, or expansion.
Build partnerships with Early Childhood programs, schools, camps, synagogues, and community organizations to expand participation.
Ensure that programs complement existing school and partner offerings rather than unnecessarily duplicating them.
Lobby Activations

Develop engaging lobby activations across multiple sites that connect visitors to Jewish holidays, cultural moments, community initiatives, JCC programs, volunteer opportunities, and organizational priorities.
Create an annual activation calendar in partnership with program departments and Marketing and Communications.
Coordinate the design, installation, maintenance, staffing, and removal of activations.
Develop interactive elements that encourage participation, conversation, learning, and connection.
Evaluate engagement with lobby activations and identify opportunities to connect participants to additional JCC programs and experiences.
Administrative and Operational Responsibilities

Develop and monitor project and program budgets.
Process invoices, contracts, purchase requests, and program expenses in accordance with organizational procedures.
Work with Marketing and Communications to develop promotional timelines, program descriptions, registration materials, and participant communications.
Coordinate with facilities, security, technology, transportation, and operations teams regarding program requirements.
Track enrollment, attendance, participant demographics, revenue, expenses, partnerships, and engagement outcomes.
Follow up with all special events leads at Lake County.
Act as point of contact and lead Garoon Gateway to Science Field Trips.
Prepare weekly schedule of events for onsite staff and facilities; attend building meetings to ensure that all program and events setups are accurate and visitors logged.
Prepare program reports and recommendations for organizational leadership.
Ensure compliance with JCC Chicago policies, safety procedures, accessibility expectations, and applicable screening requirements.
Provide onsite program leadership, including occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.
Essential Job Duties/Physical Duties:

Demonstrate physical stamina and agility required to be mobile for long periods throughout the day.
Ability to physically procure, lift, move and set up program supplies (minimum 20 lbs) for direct program support.
Stand for long periods of time and be able to actively engage with adults of all ages.
Possess strength and endurance required to set up, facilitate/host and clean up events.
Clearly and effectively communicate in a manner that adults understand.
Ability to climb stairs, access public and private transportation. (in the case of an emergency).
React with physical and mental alertness in emergency situations.
Vision – must be able to distinguish between colors, shades, and brightness with ability to focus.
Maintain a sense of calm and perspective with physical and mental alertness during stressful times.