Suburban Chicago Synagogue Seeks Executive Director

Executive Director: North Suburban Synagogue Beth El (Beth El)
Location: Highland Park, IL
Type: Full-Time
Salary Range: $160,000 - $175,000 (commensurate with experience)
Application Deadline: January 17, 2025

About Beth El
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El (“Beth El") is a thriving, egalitarian Conservative synagogue rooted in traditional Jewish values and practices, located in Chicago’s North Shore on a beautiful campus overlooking Lake Michigan. Founded in 1947, Beth El is the spiritual home to 1,000+ families who enjoy an extensive variety of services and programs as well as the full range of lifecycle events. Our building is bustling! The synagogue’s membership and finances are healthy and growing, and benefit from a significant endowment fund. Beth El is committed to its vision of being a warm and joyous community where Jewish tradition meets contemporary life. Beth El’s mission is to inspire and nurture Jewish life and community through engaging education, prayer, programming and social action as well as by supporting Israel through events, lectures, and more. We welcome individuals and families wherever they are, ritually and spiritually, and supports them as they seek to enrich their Jewish lives. To learn more, visit our website at https://www.jewishstaffing.com/t/pl/675f9efecbdf4c053a670dee/1734319983

About the Role:
Beth El is searching for an experienced, dynamic, and engaging Executive Director with strong thought-leadership and management skills to join our senior leadership team. The Executive Director will work in close collaboration with clergy, staff, and lay leaders to provide strategic leadership, as well as oversight of day-to-day tasks to ensure smooth operations and continued organizational health. Beth El prides itself on its strong collaboration with lay leaders, which is unique and the key to its long-term success.
The Executive Director will be instrumental in shaping the future of our congregation by guiding membership, programming, and development efforts, working to ensure Beth El stays relevant to members while staying true to its traditional roots. They will also be responsible for implementation of synagogue policies and management of all administrative functions including: office staff & human resources; finances and budget; all facilities’ security, safety, and maintenance, including clergy parsonage properties; fundraising; membership development and relations; and communications.
They will be joining Beth El at an exciting time, as we are in the midst of fully-funded building renovations, an upcoming fundraiser featuring David Broza, a growing preschool, and so much more.

Key Responsibilities:
• Office Management: Oversee day-to-day business operations, including: finance, maintenance, IT, security, communications, programming, membership, development. Implement and oversee operational policies and procedures. Manage High Holiday planning and preparation. Conduct annual reviews of supervised staff.
• Financial Oversight: Collaborate with the treasurer and controller to develop and monitor budgets. Prepare and share monthly financial updates. Ensure appropriate financial controls are maintained, oversee payroll and benefits, and identify grant and cost-saving opportunities. Ensure billing and collections run efficiently. Maintain appropriate insurance coverage for synagogue and parsonages and manage all insurance claims. Function as one of the liaisons to all banks. Manage relationships with suppliers, vendors, and contractors; and negotiate all agreements.
• Security: Regularly assess security risks to synagogue facilities, occupants, and properties and maintain secure access. Create and implement security plans, procedures, training, and drills in collaboration with the Highland Park Police and Fire Departments to mitigate those risks. Oversee/direct the work of the synagogue’s security provider.
• Facilities Management: Oversee general maintenance, appearance, and smooth operations of building, grounds, property and equipment at the synagogue and parsonages, including HVAC. Ensure a clean, safe, and well-maintained facility.
• Member Engagement: Help the Engagement Director with prospective members, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Ensure member retention. Respond to congregant inquiries and complaints. Determine appropriate dues adjustments when required in a completely confidential manner. Help oversee event logistics and community programs.
• Community and Donor Relations: Promote positive image of synagogue among staff, congregants, and community; Liaison with local schools, synagogues, and community organizations. and community; Liaison with local schools, synagogues, and community organizations. Collaborate with the Director of Development on fundraising activities.
• Human Resources: Manage full-time and part-time staff, ensure proper hiring practices, and administer personnel procedures. Work with the Board to establish and enforce policies.
• Communications: Create communications strategy, oversee content creation, and communication plans, including the synagogue’s website, newsletters, social media, and advertising.

Key Attributes:
• High integrity and commitment to the synagogue’s mission and values.
• Transparent and clear communicator who thrives in a collaborative environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Detail-oriented with effective project management skills.
• Ability to build relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Ability to create and maintain a harmonious and collaborative working environment and a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere in the synagogue as a whole.
• Strong prioritization skills.
• Ability to delegate appropriately.
• Team player and decisive leader who can enlist the support and participation of others in the fulfillment of the Executive Director’s duties.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Strong follow-up skills.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in a related field is a plus.
• Significant leadership and management experience in a not-for-profit organization, ideally in a Jewish congregation, or equivalent experience combined with a strong Jewish volunteer background.
• Strong financial acumen with demonstrated budgeting and fiscal management experience.
• Experience in managing teams and understanding of HR rules and policies.
• Familiarity with the operations and maintenance of a large facility
• Familiarity with relevant technology and software programs, including but not limited to: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; ShulCloud
• Flexible hours with the ability to attend meetings (sometimes in evenings), work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Familiarity and understanding of Jewish rituals, traditions, religious observance, and holidays as practiced in a Conservative congregation.

Compensation and Benefits:
• Anticipated salary range: $160,000 - $175,000, commensurate with experience.
• Additional health and vacation benefits available

Application Process: Please submit your resume and cover letter to post-675f9efecbdf4c053a670dee-1734319982@apply.jewishstaffing.com no later than January 17, 2025.

For more information about Beth El, check out our most recent quarterly bulletin here: https://www.jewishstaffing.com/t/pl/675f9efecbdf4c053a670dee/1734319984