Congregation Beth El in Voorhees, NJ is conducting a search for their next Executive Director. Visit our website to learn more about our vibrant synagogue.
About Us.
Congregation Beth El (Beth El) seeks a new Executive Director who will partner with clergy, professional staff and lay leadership to provide operational oversight, management expertise, visionary guidance and commitment to our community.
Beth El, located in Voorhees, NJ, is a Conservative congregation founded in 1921, that serves as a vibrant hub for Jewish life in South Jersey. This our third location having started in Camden (1921-1967), moved to the west side of Cherry Hill (1967-2009) and then to our current home in Voorhees. The school campus opened here in 1998, and the synagogue moved in April 2009. Our building has a gorgeous sanctuary, expansive rooms for social programming, a dedicated administrative wing and spacious classrooms for learning. We currently serve more than 750 households and over 140 children in our Early Childhood Center.
MISSION STATEMENT
“Beth El is our spiritual home. We create a warm and welcoming community where people of all generations are enriched by learning and inspired to discover their personal experience of Jewish life.”
We are an egalitarian, diverse, inclusive and vibrant congregation affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. We welcome Jews of all backgrounds, Jews of color, Jews by choice and those not Jewish who are in relationships with those who are.
Grow Together, Help Together, Celebrate Together, Learn Together and Have Fun Together! There is a place for you at Congregation Beth El. We Belong Together.
Position Overview. The Executive Director is responsible for the overall management and day-to-day operations including human resources, fund-raising, finance, facilities, catering, membership, communications, and security. Supervision is an important part of this job. The ED will have a robust staff to implement their vision and direction and will supervise the directors and staff leaders for many of the tasks noted below. The ED oversees an annual budget of about $5.5 million and directly supervises six department directors and one manager (plus contractors). The ED reports to the Board of Trustees through the President, collaborates and coordinates activities with the Senior Rabbi, and is one of the senior-most and impactful members of the leadership team.
Essential Functions include the following:
General Administration
- Evaluate needs, oversee purchase, use, maintenance, replacement, and operation of equipment and systems, including IT, building systems, and live streaming.
- Lead agenda setting and participate in meetings of the Board of Trustees, Executive Committee and other committees as needed, including Budget & Finance, House, (Building & Grounds), Membership, and Development.
- Coordinate with Religious and Early Childhood Center leadership on personnel, security, logistics, and administrative matters.
- Maintain relationships with vendors and contractors, including benefits brokers, IT/Network hosting and support, corporate compliance, HR legal counsel.
Personnel
- Supervise, directly or indirectly, administrative, fund-raising, financial, development, maintenance, security, and catering with support provided for supervision of Early Childhood Center staff.
- Set policies and procedures for hiring, paying, disciplining and terminating employees, and for providing employee benefits. Implement HR policies, assure compliance with tax, labor and other laws.
- Maintain a safe, efficient, collaborative, and member-friendly workplace that encourages staff cooperation and professional development.
Financial
- Supervise the Controller and support their oversight of the teams and committees responsible for finances.
- Approve expenditures, budget changes and contracts.
- Oversee and assure the maintenance of accurate financial records, help prepare and monitor budgets, supervise bills, assure compliance with tax reporting requirements.
- Coordinate with auditors and Audit Committee.
- Approve contractual agreements with vendors, contractors, consultants, and other service providers.
Membership
- Oversee membership recruitment and retention including supervising the Engagement Director.
- Assure maintenance of accurate membership records.
- Oversee all aspects of membership financial commitments including member payments, tuition and fees; aid members seeking reduced financial commitment levels for membership and help resolve delinquent accounts.
Program, Facilities Coordination & Catering
- Supervise the Events & Programs Director and support their oversight of the synagogue calendar, facility rental agreements and other revenue generating use of the building
- Supervise the Facilities Director and support their oversight of the building teams.
- Supervise Catering Director and administrative support in menu planning, revenue opportunities for Beth El Catering (BEC)
- Assure coordination and scheduling to maximize efficiency and avoid conflicts.
- Assure maintenance, cleanliness, readiness, security, and safety of physical facilities.
- Manage, protect and improve facilities in collaboration with the House Committee.
Communications
- Supervise the Marketing & Communications Manager and support their work with all printed and electronic communication including, but not limited to, the bimonthly newsletter, weekly email updates, and website.
Jewish Life
- Coordinate with Senior Rabbi and Clergy Executive Assistant & Lifecycle Coordinator to ensure facilities and staff are properly organized and ready for all services. Note that this does not necessarily require you to attend all services but to oversee staff and plans for those services.
- Meet with congregants to facilitate purchase of Beth El owned cemetery plots in the sections of Crescent Memorial Park
- Participate as a member of the pastoral care team and support members in times of need.
- Support member needs for lifecycle events in coordination with clergy and administrative staff.
- Encourage and strengthen the sense of belonging and community connection among our members by establishing and maintaining caring relationships and interactions with our members.
Security
- ED is the overall leader in security matters, partnering with the Facilities Director to supervise our armed security guards from our contractor/partner, JFed Security
- Oversee security training for staff and members (usually coordinated with and provided by contractors and local security officials), maintain target-hardening technology, apply for and administer Homeland Security and other grants.
- Maintain relationships with security partners, including Voorhees Township Police, JFed Security, Secure Community Network (SCN), and other security agencies as needed.
The successful candidate will have
- Master’s degree (preferred), Bachelor’s degree (required).
- At least eight (8) years of experience in a management role, preferably with populations diverse in age and background; with at least five (5) years of proven track record in a supervisory capacity.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to set priorities, manage projects and meet deadlines.
- Capacity to deal with the ambiguities typical in a synagogue/membership environment wherein many stakeholders (paid and volunteer) from across the organization collaborate in decisions and their implementation.
- Commitment to Conservative Jewish values.
- Ability to delegate and mentor.
- The following characteristics:
- Creative and innovative.
- Diplomatic yet decisive.
- Flexible and forward thinking.
- Personable, compassionate, and a sense of humor
- Highly organized, big picture vision, yet detail oriented.
- Direct, honest, trustworthy.
- Self-aware and self-reflective.
- Social and emotional intelligence.
- Effective navigation of inevitable conflict.
- Attention to daily detail as well as long-range vision
- Growth oriented mindset
Compensation and benefits
- Compensation based on experience, skills, and education.
- Competitive benefits package including: four weeks paid vacation, paid medical leave, parental leave, comprehensive medical and dental insurance, generous retirement plan (JRB), and other benefits.
This job description is a thorough listing of the ED’s activities, duties, and responsibilities, and functions and responsibilities may change and/or others may be assigned over the course of your tenure at Congregation Beth El.