Mersky, Jaffe & Associates, a national executive search and consulting firm, is conducting a search for the next Executive Director of Brooklyn Heights Synagogue, Brooklyn, NY.
Background
Brooklyn Heights Synagogue (BHS), founded in 1960 as the first established synagogue in Brooklyn Heights, serves an active membership of 530 families, couples, and singles living in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Our educational programming includes a highly regarded Preschool serving nearly 120 children, a supplemental K-12 Religious School serving more than 200 students, a thriving Parent Center for very young children, their parents and caregivers, and robust adult and intergenerational learning opportunities. As a founding member of NYC’s Emergency Shelter Network, BHS has hosted a homeless shelter since 1983. The synagogue recently completed a major construction project of $11 million, doubling our physical plant, which was funded almost entirely by its membership.
Brooklyn Heights Synagogue Mission Statement
The Brooklyn Heights Synagogue is a welcoming, inclusive community dedicated to lifelong learning, to supporting each other, and to caring for the world. We are a progressive congregation affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. We value the diverse ways our members express their Jewish identities as we maintain an abiding respect for the traditions of the Jewish people. We offer opportunities for members of all ages and backgrounds to participate in a variety of ways, from ritual to social justice, to the arts, to ways not yet imagined. We encourage our members’ involvement and creativity in shaping our community.
About the Position
BHS is seeking an experienced professional to serve as our next Executive Director (ED) and continue to build on our strong foundation of 65 years and success as an institution. The ED serves as the senior administrative partner to our Senior Rabbi and Board President. The ED helps to implement the strategic vision for the institution’s future as well as manage the synagogue’s day-to-day needs. This includes oversight of its core operational functions: finance, security, facilities, human resources, development, information technology (IT), communications and marketing, and membership engagement. The ED manages internal processes and systems to ensure that BHS has the staff, resources, and management practices in place to support continued growth and development of our membership, schools, and programming.
The ED is accountable to the Board of Trustees, reports to the Board President, and shares responsibility with them and the Senior Rabbi for ensuring that the congregation’s mission is fulfilled in alignment with our values, vision, and strategic goals. The ED will become an important part of the synagogue community and will actively participate in congregational life.
Organizational Management and Supervision
- Hire, train, and directly supervise a minimum of six employees responsible for key administrative and operational functions. Provide meaningful feedback and mentorship, conduct annual staff reviews; devise and implement individualized professional development plans.
- Responsible for the management of all HR related functions (payroll, benefits, employee records, and conflict resolution).
- In coordination with the Preschool and Religious School Directors provide operational support for facilities, security, and fiscal administration.
- Maintain oversight of outside contractors providing facilities, security, and payroll needs; ensure strong relationships with the various contractors and evaluate performance on a regular basis; negotiate contracts and renewals.
- Ensure coordination, scheduling, and oversight of all operational logistics related to worship, educational programming, and activities within the building and that appropriate resources are allocated. Review contracts, terms, and policies of all space rentals.
- Foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration and problem solving with both internal and external constituencies.
Leadership, Planning, and Board Support
- As a member of the executive team, partner with Board and Clergy to create, affirm, and periodically review the long-term vision for BHS.
- Serve as a key driver of strategic planning projects and ensure their success.
- Attend (as needed) and serve as a resource to the Board, standing, and ad hoc lay committees; provide timely, accurate, transparent and comprehensive reports and projections including analysis, research, and insight to support the Board’s planning and decision-making.
Financial Administration and Oversight
- Direct oversight of the synagogue’s annual operating budget of $6.5 million.
- Lead all synagogue financial operations; implement and manage internal controls to ensure integrity and transparency.
- Lead the budgeting process in close partnership with senior staff, clergy, the Treasurer, Finance Committee and the Board; develop annual budgets, forecasts and long-term financial projections.
- Working with the Comptroller, generate and provide comprehensive, accurate and timely financial reports, projections, and analyses to support senior staff, the Treasurer, Finance Committee, and the Board.
- Oversee Comptroller in their capacity managing payroll, accounting, and benefits to ensure that accurate and timely financial information is maintained in these outsourced systems.
- Manage banking relationships and initiate outside audit/reviews on a regular basis.
- Manage investments in coordination with the Treasurer in connection with the future endowment.
Membership, Marketing and Communications
- In partnership with the Director of Membership Engagement and lay leaders, develop successful programs and events to create an environment where communal relationships flourish; initiate retention and growth strategies, and cultivate new members.
- Ensure accuracy of membership information, records and reporting; synthesize data and provide analysis and recommendations on appropriate membership models.
- Create and oversee robust, compelling, timely and accurate internal and external communications, including website, social media, emails, newsletters, and print publications.
- Partner with President, Clergy, and staff to identify potential lay leaders for leadership positions; serve as an ambassador of the synagogue internally and externally.
- Oversee all operational logistics for the High Holy Days and other Jewish holidays.
Facilities, Safety & Security
- Ensure that the facilities are properly maintained seven days a week; identify, recommend, and ensure improvements and upgrades are implemented as necessary; review staffing on a regular basis to keep the facility in excellent condition.
- Working with the Security and Operations Manager, review safety and security policies, procedures and protocols; ensure adequate staffing for the building’s activities.
- In partnership with the Security and Building Committees, initiate security enhancement measures and implement multi-year capital projects to improve the facility.
- Review and monitor best practices to ensure the safety of the entire community; oversee regular safety training and appropriate emergency action plans.
- Manage the outsourced maintenance of the Synagogue’s cemetery section in Queens.
- Cultivate relationships with community officials; ensure coordination with NYPD on safety threats; manage relationship with outsourced security firm and NYPD Paid Detail.
Fundraising
- In partnership with the Director of Development, develop and initiate fundraising strategies to enhance annual giving; lead strategic planning to reach annual revenue goals.
- Coordinate special event fundraising initiatives; create new opportunities for giving.
- Work closely with the Development Committee to create long term fundraising plans to sustain the fiscal health of the Synagogue.
- Implement systems to support effective fundraising, including the use of donor research software.
- Support lay-led fundraising initiatives including annual/year-end appeal, fundraisers, and other special events.
- Foster a culture of philanthropy and provide as many opportunities as possible to expand giving.
- Oversee initiation of Endowment Fund and a Legacy Society.
The successful candidate will have
- Demonstrated capacity to manage a complex, diverse, multi-faceted organization with a $6.5M budget.
- Demonstrated fluency with financial reporting and analysis, nonprofit accounting principles and financial software.
- Superior communication skills, both written and oral; excellent listening and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent management skills with an ability to recruit, develop and lead staff with a strong work ethic.
- 10-15 years of professional experience; 5-7 of supervisory experience required; experience in nonprofit membership-based organization preferred; familiarity with Jewish traditions, values, and congregational life a plus.
- College degree required; relevant graduate degree preferred.
Personal Characteristics
- Highest standard of personal integrity and ethics
- Resilient, energetic, and persevering
- Strong service orientation
- Flexible and responsive to multiple constituencies
- Diplomatic, yet decisive
- Compassionate, with a high level of emotional intelligence
- Consensus-builder, with ability to lead from behind to achieve goals
- Creative and innovative
- Effective problem solver
- Passion for the mission of BHS
Compensation and benefits
Salary commensurate with experience, generally in the range of $185,000-$200,000 annually. Excellent benefits include generous paid vacation/sick/personal leave; employer coverage of 90% of health plan (medical); flexible spending account including transit; pension plan with employer contribution. Dental/Vision plans are available at the employee’s expense.
This job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other functions and responsibilities may change or may be assigned.
Mersky, Jaffe & Associates is proud of its association with Brooklyn Heights Synagogue, Brooklyn, NY and to be conducting the search for its next Executive Director. If you, or someone you know, might be a suitable candidate for this position, please forward, in confidence, the person’s name, cover letter, resume, and contact information to Katie Moreland at [email protected].