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Job Description
Director of Marketing & Communications
TEMPLE ISRAEL - 3.8
West Bloomfield Township, MI Job Details Full-time $70,000 - $75,000 a year 2 days ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Employee assistance program Vision insurance 401(k) matching Employee discount Life insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Content marketing strategy Bachelor's degree Staff training Strategic communications Community relationship building Project leadership Full Job Description Temple Israel is a vibrant and welcoming Jewish community dedicated to fostering connection, learning, spiritual growth, and support for its congregants, families, students, and staff. The Director of Marketing & Communications serves as the primary steward of the congregation's voice, brand, and public presence. This is a meaningful leadership role for a strategic communicator who can manage a talented in-house creative team while also building relationships across a complex, multi-faceted institution. The Director will oversee all internal and external communications — from coordinating messaging among clergy, staff, and school families, to representing Temple Israel to the broader Metro Detroit Jewish community and the press. The ideal candidate brings professional communications expertise and a genuine connection to Jewish communal life.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES TEAM LEADERSHIP
Supervise and mentor Temple Israel's in-house team of graphic designers and copywriters, providing editorial direction, creative feedback, and workflow support. Establish and manage project timelines, approval processes, and production schedules to ensure consistent, high-quality output across all channels. Oversee production of The Messenger, our 40-page monthly bulletin, along with all print materials, event collateral, and marketing assets. Maintain and evolve Temple Israel's visual brand standards, ensuring coherence and quality across every communication touchpoint.
INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
Collaborate closely with the Executive Director, clergy team, and department heads to coordinate and align all internal messaging. Develop communication strategies and tools that keep staff, faculty, and the Tyner Religious School and Early Childhood Center families informed and engaged. Ensure timely, clear, and consistent distribution of information across internal audiences in coordination with school leadership. Support communications for lifecycle events, High Holiday programming, and other significant moments in the congregational calendar.
EXTERNAL & COMMUNITY COMMUNICATIONS
Serve as Temple Israel's primary liaison for press and media relations — drafting and distributing press releases, pitching stories to local and regional outlets, and responding to media inquiries. Develop and implement strategic external communications that promote Temple Israel's programs, events, and mission to the congregation and the broader Detroit Jewish community. Build and maintain relationships with Metro Detroit media, Jewish communal organizations, and other community stakeholders. Craft institutional messaging that reflects Temple Israel's values of inclusion, authenticity, and commitment to Reform Jewish life.
DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA
Oversee the Temple Israel website — directing content strategy, regular updates, and user experience in collaboration with relevant staff and vendors. Lead the congregation's social media presence across all platforms (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and others), setting strategy, voice, and editorial calendar. Support and expand Temple Israel's live streaming and digital worship presence in partnership with the Creative Director. Monitor analytics and engagement metrics to continuously improve digital communications effectiveness.
WRITING & CONTENT
Contribute strategic copywriting as needed — including congregational announcements, event promotions, clergy communications, donor correspondence, and community narratives. Edit and proof all materials produced by the creative team, upholding Temple Israel's editorial standards and institutional voice.
Adhere to all federal, state, local, and organizational policies related to confidentiality, documentation, ethics, productivity, and professional conduct. Regular and routine attendance as scheduled, including afterhours and weekend events. All other duties as assigned. Participate in supervision, team meetings, professional development, and organizational initiatives.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR 5-8
years of progressive experience in communications, marketing, or public relations — ideally in a nonprofit, religious, educational, or mission-driven setting. Demonstrated experience managing and developing a creative team of designers and writers. Strong press and media relations skills, including writing press releases, pitching stories, and working with journalists. Excellent copywriting, copy-editing, and institutional storytelling abilities. Proficiency in social media strategy and platform management. Experience managing websites and digital content. Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities across a complex, fast-paced organization. Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with project management platforms (e.g., Pipefy, Asana, or similar). Basic design sensibility; familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite or Canva is a plus. Strong organizational, leadership, and project management skills. Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to engage compassionately and effectively with diverse audiences including congregants, families, students, staff, leadership, and external partners.
WHY JOIN TEMPLE ISRAEL?
Temple Israel is one of the largest and most dynamic Reform Jewish congregations in North America - a large, multigenerational community rooted in the values of inclusion, innovation, and deep Jewish commitment. Our mission is to create an inclusive center for spiritual fulfillment and community building through the lens of Reform Judaism. With a non-hierarchical clergy team of seven rabbis and cantors, a Tyner Religious School, Early Childhood Center, robust adult education programming, a full social service agency, a thriving music program, active Temple Youth, and a congregation that draws more than 1,500 people to summer Shabbat services, Temple Israel is a community unlike any other. Our communications reflect who we are: warm, authentic, innovative, and deeply connected.
Pay:
$70,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance
Education:
Bachelor's (Preferred)
Experience:
communication, marketing, or public relations: 5 years (Required)
