Executive Director and Director of Engagement
About the Organization
Congregation Ohr Shalom-Summit JCC (COS-SJCC) is a conservative egalitarian synagogue located in the northern NJ/NYC suburbs. We serve approximately 280 member families, many of whom are interfaith as a result of our welcoming community.
About 80 families are enrolled in our preschool, the Early Learning Center (ELC), of which approximately 70% are Jewish, 20% interfaith, 10% non-Jewish; 30% are members. About 85 families have school-aged children enrolled in our religious school, the Jewish Learning Center (JLC). The history and character of our congregation are described on our website at www.summitjcc.org.
The Organization’s Goals
- Improve and increase current member activity, connection, and retention
- Maximize membership potential/capture potential constituents; especially encourage and enroll as many ELC families as members as possible
- Prioritize programming & community building for transitions at age groups/life stages (ELC → JLC → BMitzvah → College/Empty Nesters → Retirees/Seniors); the transitions from ELC to JLC; JLC 2nd to 3rd grade, and JLC post BMitzvah are especially important
- Optimize financial models, staff performance, operational efficiency, and fundraising capacity
- Focus on leadership development and create new on-ramps for volunteer systems
- Differentiate ourselves in the area as THE Jewish institution for community, highly personalized experiences and education, and a welcoming, safe haven. Be an institution that our members enthusiastically insist their family and friends join.
Position Overview
The Executive Director and Director of Engagement is the chief strategic, administrative, and operational leader of our organization, which includes a synagogue, a religious school (JLC) for grades Pre-K through 12, and a preschool (ELC). This individual will play a critical leadership role in leading COS-SJCC into our next chapter - executing the strategic vision and ensuring the financial and operational health of the institution while fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and spiritually vibrant community.
Reporting to the volunteer leadership of the President and Executive Committee and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the ED will oversee all administrative, financial, operational, and programmatic functions of the organization. This includes managing staff, optimizing operational procedures, leading strategic initiatives, and providing oversight of fundraising efforts. The ED will also collaborate with the Rabbi and Cantor to support religious, educational, and community programming. All responsibilities combine to fulfill the needs of 280 member units, ranging from singles to young families, to local and remote seniors.
This is a full-time, on-premises/hybrid position.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategic Planning
- Provide visionary leadership and Jewish community-building experience, leveraging a deep understanding of the rapidly evolving Jewish landscape, to help build, engage, and create the next chapter of COS-SJCC.
- Couple this with strong administrative management to ensure the success of the synagogue, Jewish Learning Center (JLC), and Early Learning Center (ELC).
- Work closely with the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees to refine the vision, build governance structures, plan Board meetings, facilitate Board development, streamline committee management, and establish/implement strategic goals. Participate in the orientation of new Board members to maximize their effectiveness.
- Foster a collaborative and mission-driven culture within the staff, membership, and greater community.
- Uphold and improve organizational policies, procedures, and bylaws to ensure operational efficiency and alignment with the organization’s mission.
- Understand best practices in Jewish communal organizations and align COS-SJCC operations and activities with contemporary standards and community needs.
- Assist the Board in leadership pipeline development, including identification of promising leadership candidates, committee engagement, succession planning and mentorship programs.
Staff Management & Human Resources
- Supervise and manage administrative, educational, and operational staff, including:
- Early Learning Center Director/Administrators
- Jewish Learning Center Director/Administrators
- Custodian and maintenance staff
- In conjunction with the Executive Committee and Board, set clear performance goals for staff, provide oversight, and facilitate professional development. Refine the current annual evaluation processes and performance-based bonus system.
- Ensure effective coordination of staff efforts and collaborative programs, addressing conflicts when necessary.
- Handle hiring and termination decisions and actions, in consultation with the Executive Committee and external consultants when needed.
Growth, Community Engagement, Member Relations, & Communications
- Serve as a primary point of contact for current and prospective congregants, fostering a warm and welcoming environment.
- In collaboration with the Membership Chair, provide member support, including addressing concerns, facilitating engagement, and strengthening community relationships.
- Lead efforts to convert ELC families to synagogue membership, and retain JLC members, in conjunction with ELC, JLC, clergy, and the Board.
- Conduct volunteer management and leadership development, including recruitment of new participants, pathways/onramps to leadership positions, etc.
- Work with clergy, education staff, and event committees to coordinate major religious, cultural, and social events (e.g., High Holidays, Passover, Purim, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, etc.).
- Collaborate with and support Bar and Bat Mitzvah families, to ensure their experience is meaningful and appropriate for the needs of the child, family, and community.
- Help create, expand, monitor, and evaluate program effectiveness, ensuring there is regular compelling and innovative programming for each cohort, and for the entire combined community, on a regular basis. Expand membership segmentation analysis and outreach to do so.
- Serve as a community face of the institution and forge relationships with local Jewish, religious, civic, and not-for-profit organizations.
- Oversee the development/improvement of communication systems across synagogue departments (newsletters, websites, social media, etc) and leverage multi-platform marketing and outreach opportunities.
- Create value-add membership resources, including online B’nai mitzvah planning, networking, babysitting, and other community-reinforcing tools and references.
- With the Marketing Committee, oversee brand management, including the development of a unified communications strategy, including social media, email marketing, press releases, signage, and physical branding.
Religious & Educational Collaboration
- Partner with clergy and Religious Committee to implement cohesive practices that blend tradition and innovation for religious and ritual activities
Finance and Fundraising
- Collaborate with the Finance Committee, Treasurer, and Bookkeeper to manage and analyze a $2 million budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility. Help create and publish a formal annual budget, quarterly, and monthly reports.
- Coordinate and expand fundraising efforts, which include a combination of volunteer and staff-led initiatives such as special events, major donor / planned giving programs, grant writing, product sales, partnerships with other philanthropic organizations, and other projects. Initiate and oversee the development of an annual fundraising calendar/plan with an integrated strategy of timed solicitations and events conducted by all synagogue committees and lay leaders.
- In cooperation with the Board’s Financial Secretary and bookkeeper, support the timely processing of membership dues, tuition payments, and other financial transactions.
Operations & Facilities Management
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the synagogue, JLC, and ELC; and any other on-site and virtual programs as needed.
- Ensure the facilities are well-maintained and operational, addressing security and safety concerns and following established security processes and procedures. Contribute to a long-term campus & facilities master plan.
- Supervise and improve administrative processes to enhance efficiency. Create new procedures and standards for office management to enact consistent business hours and professional presentation.
- Create guidelines for onsite events and organizational systems that offer easy access to supplies and resources. Assess and manage space usage, including potential rental relationships, to maximize real estate assets.
- Drive analytically focused transformational initiatives that break down data silos, expand digitization, and optimize operational processes using data-driven decision-making.
- Work with IT staff to maintain and improve technology systems, including database management, the organization’s CRM tool (ShulCloud), online communications, and cybersecurity.
Qualifications & Skills
Required:
- Proven leadership experience in nonprofit administration, preferably in a Jewish communal and/or educational setting.
- Strong management skills, including staff supervision and conflict resolution.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with staff, clergy, lay leaders, and members.
- Experience in high-level budget management, financial oversight, and fundraising.
- Proficiency in administrative systems, office technology, database/CRM management (ShulCloud specifically a plus), and digital communications.
- High level of organization and problem-solving ability.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends as needed. Willingness to be on-site for education, religious, and community events (occasional Shabbats, holidays, youth programming, etc).
Preferred:
- Deep understanding of Jewish holidays, traditions, and practices.
- Jewish community-building experience that includes thought leadership and knowledge of multi-generational engagement.
- Demonstrated success in leading nonprofit operations and/or strategic planning. Knowledge of QuickBooks and/or general accounting software/practices.
- Familiarity with the Conservative movement, progressive/egalitarian practices.
Compensation
- Expected salary range: $110,000-$150,000
- Annual bonus possible, contingent on personal performance and organizational finances