Venue Manager, Family High Holy Day Services

The Role
This is a focused, seasonal contract engagement built around one of BJ’s most complex and beloved annual programs: Family High Holy Day Services. The engagement begins in advance of Rosh Hashanah and concludes upon the completion of Yom Kippur. During that window, this role is the operational backbone of the entire program.

Each fall, BJ produces multiple large-scale services designed specifically for families with children, drawing hundreds of attendees across Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The logistical scope is significant: Family Services are held across two distinct venues — beginning at JCC Manhattan, relocating to the BJ main campus, and returning to the JCC for Yom Kippur. The person in this role will be managing that multi-venue, multi-day operation, with all of its vendor coordination, facility logistics, staffing, and real-time problem-solving.

We have an established playbook in place, and we are looking for an experienced professional who can take that foundation, execute it seamlessly, and bring the insight to iterate, refine, and make it even better.

This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced events professional seeking a high-impact, time-bounded engagement with a mission-driven institution at one of the most meaningful moments in the Jewish calendar.

Reporting and Key Partnerships
Primary point of contact: Sonny Singh, Director of Program and Event Operations
Operational partner: Rabbi Deena Cowans, Director of Family Life and Learning

What You’ll Do
Lead Operations: Serve as the lead operations coordinator for all Family High Holy Day Services across Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Execute & Iterate the Playbook: Leverage BJ’s existing operational playbook to drive event execution, using your expertise to run systems smoothly while making real-time improvements and post-season refinements.
Manage Multi-Site Logistics: Support the full logistical arc across venues (JCC Manhattan → BJ Main Campus → JCC Manhattan), including site visits, load-in, setup, event execution, breakdown, security plans, and load-out at each site.
Inventory & Supplies: Plan, organize, track, and maintain all supplies and equipment required for events (furniture, books, ceremonial items, program materials, etc.).
Collaborate & Liaise: Coordinate closely with vendors, volunteers, operational staff, and sound engineers at both JCC Manhattan and BJ to align on space, access, scheduling, and facility requirements.
On-Site Leadership: Coordinate with event-day personnel (operations staff, Security, EMTs) and serve as the primary on-site point of contact for real-time troubleshooting and operational flow.
Clergy & Leader Alignment: Partner with staff, clergy, and lay leaders to ensure seamless day-of operations.
Walkthroughs & Debrief: Conduct pre-event walkthroughs at each venue to verify setup, technology, vendor readiness, and delivery operations; participate in post-season debrief and documentation for future planning.

What You Bring
Proven Event Experience: Hands-on experience coordinating large-scale, complex events (i.e., this shouldn’t be your first rodeo).
Operational Ownership: Comfort jumping into an established system/playbook, running with it, and intuitively knowing how to iterate and optimize it.
Multi-Venue Operations: Demonstrated experience managing load-in, vendor coordination, and real-time troubleshooting across multiple locations.
Calm Under Pressure: Ability to serve as the primary on-site point of contact—decisive, steady, and solutions-oriented when plans change.
Vendor Management: Strong ability to manage multiple simultaneous vendor relationships (A/V, catering, décor, facilities).
Tech Proficiency: Comfort with Google Suite (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets).
Professional Attributes: Exceptional attention to detail, discretion, and good judgment in sensitive or confidential situations.
A Plus: Experience in a synagogue or Jewish communal organization, and respect for its traditions and the holiest time of year.