Community Relations Manager

About the role

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:

Responsibilities

• 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.

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.

Qualifications

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

Benefits

• FREE membership to the fitness and aquatics center.
• Discounts on programs, including personal training.
• Regular opportunities for training and continuing education.
• Outstanding medical insurance coverage through Cigna; employer pays over 80% of the premium cost of the base plan.
• Option to contribute to a 403(b) with opportunity for a company match.
• Life and long‑term disability insurance; employer pays 100% of the cost.
• Gener