Teen Engagement Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Reports to (title): Senior Director, Community Engagement 

Job Summary:  

The Teen Engagement Manager works under the direct supervision of the Senior Director of Community Engagement to support the agency’s efforts in creating opportunities for the Jewish community and teens to create deeper connections to their communities and Judaism. The Teen Engagement Manager will work primarily with Jewish Student Connection (JSC) during the school year, providing high school students with an in-school informal educational experience focused on compelling issues of Jewish pride, identity, and connection to Israel. 

At the Hecktman Family JCCs of Chicago, we are focused on growing good kids, building communities, and educating ourselves on the past to make a difference for the future. The largest JCC in North America, Hecktman Family JCCs of Chicago offers a life-affirming journey that builds on the richness and power of Jewish values and continues to reimagine them for a more connected, inspired community. 

Key Essential Job Duties:  

Programming  

Jewish Student Connection (JSC) 

• Serve as the primary lead for JSC clubs, including planning and facilitating leadership training for JSC teens and coordinating additional teen/community engagement opportunities throughout the year. 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with club participants, ensuring ongoing engagement in Jewish life beyond JSC meetings. 

• Represent JSC and JCC at community events to engage with teens outside of club settings. 

• Oversee all scheduling, budgeting, and curriculum decisions for JSC clubs. 

• Oversee effective advertising and recruitment through print materials, school announcements, social media, and other strategies to meet attendance goals and expand club reach. 

• Maintain an active personal portfolio of JSC clubs. 

• Track and enter program attendance, interactions, and relevant data in the JCC Chicago database weekly. 

• Purchase supplies/snacks as needed and maintain accurate records and coding of all purchases. 

• Monitor progress toward fiscal-year goals and adjust strategies as needed to stay on track. 

• Proactively identify and cultivate opportunities to expand into new schools or community clubs. 

• Develop engaging, age-appropriate curriculum for JSC and other community clubs focused on Jewish culture, holidays, peoplehood, Israel, and related topics. 

Teen Cohort Programs 

• Oversee planning and execution of all current and emerging teen cohort programs. 

• Expand JCC Chicago’s presence in teen programming (ages 12–18) by designing meaningful and timely experiences. 

• Creatively develop, recruit for, promote, and measure outcomes for cohort-based programs such as:

• Seed613 

• JSC Leadership 

• Gen2Gen 

• Teen Mental Health Committee 

• Grow participation beyond the northern suburbs by identifying opportunities to engage teens in Chicago and forging new organizational partnerships. 

• Collaborate closely with the Manager of Child & Youth Wellness to create and implement teen mental health programming and social media content aimed at increasing awareness and engagement. 

• Serve as liaison among the Teen Mental Health Committee, the Manager of Child & Youth Wellness, and participant parents as needed. 

• Support the planning and implementation of teen programs across the agency. 

• Partner with other departments and internal teams to ensure a seamless and high-impact experience for teen participants. 

• Assist with Maccabi athlete cohort as directed. 

Teen Camping Liaison 

• Work with Apachi Day Camp Directors to Engage their CIT and junior staff 

• Work with Camp Chi Habo and Noar Village leaders

• Engage with 8th grade teens at day and overnight camp to promote JSC and leadership opportunities. 

20s & 30s Programming 

• Serve as primary onsite staff at events and lead communications with participants. 

• Maintain accurate records of registrations, attendance, budgets, and other documentation. 

• Represent JCC Chicago at JUF Roundtable meetings twice a year. 

• Build and strengthen partnerships with organizations such as JUF to expand program reach. 

• Work with the Marketing team to design compelling social media and digital communications for the 20s & 30s demographic. 

• Actively seek and cultivate new partnerships with local and national organizations, companies, and community leaders. 

Marketing Leadership  

• Act as lead team member for all Marketing-related needs for teen and young adult programming. 

• Develop and implement marketing strategies, including recruitment efforts via print materials, school communication channels, and social media. 

• Participate in weekly meetings with the Marketing department to identify new ways to build engagement. 

• Maintain up-to-date event details

• Collaborate with staff across departments on Marketing deadlines, needs, and program promotions. 

Essential Job Duties/Physical Duties:

• Ability to lift/move objects up to 40 lbs.