Chief Executive Officer

OPPORTUNITY

The JCC East Bay is at a pivotal moment--the final phase of creating a new East Bay Jewish Community Campus. This is a bold project that will transform the East Bay Jewish Community. We’ve already achieved key milestones in campus development and in partnerships with over 20 organizations moving to the campus. Our next Chief Executive Officer will bring this next phase to life. The JCC East Bay currently has a $6.2 million budget with 100 staff; once the vision of Community Campus is fully realized, the budget is projected to grow to a nearly $11 million budget with double the staff.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The primary focus of the Chief Executive Officer role for the first 12-24 months will be managing the transition and opening the new Oakland campus. 

• Lead strategy development and execution.
• Direct the executive team and programs.  
• Build strong relationships based upon our core values with a range of stakeholders. 
• Ensure organizational fiscal health through budget oversight and cultivation of major gifts and grants.

Overall Leadership

• Advance the mission, vision, and fiscal health of the JCC East Bay.
• Provide excellent leadership; serve as a model and mentor to staff. Work in close collaboration with senior leadership to equip the staff for the next phase of growth.
• Retain and inspire key talent.
• Represent the JCC at community events, meetings, in the media, etc. 
• Build and deepen partnerships with Jewish and general community organizations, funders, and other key stakeholders.
• Collect and consider diverse stakeholder input; manage expectations. 

Organizational Management and Development

• Maintain an appropriate degree of oversight and contributions to existing program development; empower and collaborate with program leadership.
• Supervise Chief Operating Officer, Chief of Staff, Development Director, and Chief Jewish Learning Officer. Indirect reports include Chief Program Officer and Marketing Manager.
• Oversee the JCC’s marketing and communication strategy and champion organization’s brand, credibility, and reputation.
• Build upon existing positive internal culture and drive organizational excellence.
• In partnership with the C-suite, direct human resources activities. This includes oversight and approval of human resource plans or activities, selection of directors or other high-level staff, establishment and organization of major departments.
• Prepare annual work plan for Board approval.
• Analyze operations to evaluate annual performance.
• Establish departmental responsibilities and coordinate functions among departments and sites.

Board of Directors Partner

• Prepare monthly updates, reports, and meeting agendas for the Board of Directors. 
• Serve as primary staff contact for the Executive Committee, including meeting planning and execution. 
• Establish a strong partnership with the Board Chair and maintain appropriate Board/Staff roles.
• With the Chief of Staff, manage Board committees.
• Develop organizational policies.

Relationship Building, Fundraising, and Profile Enhancement

• Act as the chief storyteller of the JCC, and maintain top 40 gifts (individual and foundation) in the JCC’s portfolio.
• Lead the cultivation of major donors, in collaboration with the JCC’s development team and Board members.
• Build and enhance relationships with a diverse and growing population of JCC supporters, including clients, funders, local influencers, and beyond.
• Deliver speeches, write articles, and present information at meetings and/or conventions to promote services, exchange ideas, and accomplish objectives.
• Enhance the reputation of the JCC in ways that advance the mission and sustainability.

Community Campus Direction

• Direct implementation of programming and operations of the East Bay Jewish Community Campus.
• Serve as primary contact with the local Rockridge community.
• Maintain excellent relationships with campus organizations and leaders.
• Participate in meetings with other Jewish coworking space leaders across North America.

Fiscal Oversight and Sustainability

• Engage in ongoing financial planning that aligns business models and strategy with organizational values and strategic priorities.
• Work collaboratively with staff leadership and Treasurer to monitor and ensure the JCC’s financial health and long-term sustainability. Facilitate annual audit process.
• With staff leadership, prepare, oversee, and monitor annual budget for Board approval.
• Prepare and/or present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, and other items affecting businesses or program services.

QUALIFICATIONS

DESIRED TRAITS

The incoming CEO will be a compelling, inspirational leader and a skilled manager. They will be animated by an authentic passion for the mission, vision, and values of the JCC and the East Bay Jewish Community Campus.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 7+ years of executive-level experience at multi-service organization of a similar scale.
• Demonstrated success in building relationships and securing six-figure contributions from individual donors and foundations.
• Experience in program management and strategy with an understanding of determining market fit for program offerings.
• Experience serving as the primary, external face of an organization and overseeing organizational communications and marketing.
• Experience developing and shaping organizational strategy in a community-oriented environment with the ability to shape and implement tactical goals and outcomes.
• The ability to establish metrics, evaluate success, and use data to inform decisions.
• Proven leadership through organizational change with the ability to bring strategy and vision to life through manageable, practicable tactics, ensuring the largest degree of buy-in, support, and performance from all levels of staff.
• Significant Board engagement, management, and development skills with a demonstrated ability to skillfully manage relationships with the Board.
• Fluency in the Jewish landscape, culture, and tradition, e.g. holiday celebrations, types of religious observance, kashrut.
• Knowledge of contemporary Israel, and in particular, experience navigating sensitivities and complexities of social, political, and religious views held within the community in this context.
• Familiarity with security and safety dynamics, and the ability to manage calmly in the event of an emergent situation.
• Comfort and experience with inspirational public speaking in multiple settings.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Active Listening 
• Strong Writing 
• Critical Thinking  
• Social Perceptiveness 
• Service Orientation 
• Complex Problem Solving 
• Excellent Judgment and Decision Making 
• Analytical Ability

BACKGROUND

The JCC East Bay is a welcoming center for people of all ages and life stages. Inspired by Jewish values, culture, and tradition, we build interpersonal relationships, foster learning and curiosity, and offer accessible pathways to Jewish life. The JCC’s core youth programs, which serve nearly 700 children, include:

• Early childhood education and preschool
• Camp and afterschool programs
• Teen engagement 

Additional programs serve the full range of community adults, including:

• Older adult and Holocaust survivor activities
• Intergenerational Jewish holiday celebrations
• Ongoing opportunities to connect with Jewish life and our richly diverse community

This JCC is a Jewish educational space. We provide meaningful pathways to learn about and celebrate Jewish life and embrace Jewish pride. The organization supports the people of Israel and Israel's right to exist as a secure, independent, Jewish democratic state. 

The JCC currently operates in five locations: our full-service building in Berkeley, three afterschool programs at public elementary schools in Oakland, and administrative offices on our soon-to-be flagship campus in Oakland. 

Our Community*

The Bay Area has the fourth largest Jewish community in North America. The East Bay has the largest Jewish population in the Bay Area. The East Bay is one of the fastest growing and most diverse Jewish communities in North America. Additionally, 54% of Bay Area Jewish households with children under the age of four reside in the East Bay. Nearly 55% are interfaith. This underscores the growing need for programs to support those seeking their first Jewish connection and those looking to deepen their engagement. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

The JCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. JCC policy prohibits unlawful discrimination in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. The JCC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you require particular accommodations during the application and interview process, please inform us of your needs so that we can provide accordingly.

The JCC of the East Bay celebrates and values the perspectives of women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and individuals from other groups that have been historically marginalized.  We are excited to find a new CEO who can champion our diverse community.  We encourage all interested potential candidates to apply, even those who don't think they meet 100% of the qualifications.

Please submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter that outlines how your skills and experiences meet the qualifications of the position to CEOsearch@jcceastbay.org. 

SALARY RANGE

$210,000-$270,000 annual salary commensurate with experience.

Excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays (including most Jewish holidays).