Chief Executive Officer

Wilshire Boulevard Temple; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 301,500 - 368,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Generous retirement plan

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A prominent spiritual organization in Los Angeles seeks a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to integrate and advance their mission. The CEO will oversee operations, drive revenue growth, and engage with diverse stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have proven leadership in complex nonprofits, strong financial management skills, and the ability to foster collaboration. The role offers an attractive compensation package of $335,000+, along with robust benefits, supporting professional growth and inclusivity in the workplace.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in nonprofit organizations.
• Expertise in team building and fostering collaborative culture.
• Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Integrate and advance Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s mission.
• Oversee administrative, operations, and technology systems.
• Develop diversified revenue streams and increase membership.

Skills

Leadership experience in complex nonprofit organizations

Management and supervision of professional staff

Outstanding communication skills

Adaptability and problem solving

Financial management expertise

Fundraising and donor stewardship

Job description

Wilshire Boulevard Temple is pleased to work with DRG to conduct this search.

THE ORGANIZATION

Wilshire Boulevard Temple is a center for Jewish spirituality and celebration, a place for lifelong learning and friendship, and home to an engaged congregation where every person can make a difference. It is one of the largest synagogue communities in the world, a multi‑campus, multi‑entity nonprofit institution encompassing religious life, education, community engagement, social services, and real‑estate. With an operating budget of $45 million, more than 10,000 members, multiple schools, camps, and nationally recognized facilities, Wilshire Boulevard Temple functions at the scale and complexity of a mid‑sized university or cultural institution.

Wilshire Boulevard Temple comprises four distinct campuses, a constellation of sacred spaces across Los Angeles and beyond, each one alive with learning, celebration, and connection.

• Erika J Glazer Family Campus (Mid‑Wilshire): Two architectural masterpieces anchor the full city block of our dynamic Glazer Campus: the iconic, Byzantine‑Revival Leder‑Magnin sanctuary (completed 1929) and the modern, award‑winning Audrey Irmas Pavilion (open 2022), which includes the Wendy and Leonard Goldberg Grand Ballroom, chapel/event space, and rooftop venue. The campus also houses Wilshire Schools East (the Erika J Glazer Early Childhood Center and Brawerman East Elementary School), the Center for Youth Engagement’s Edgar F. Magnin Religious School, and the Karsh Family Social Service Center. In addition, the Glazer Campus proudly provides space to the Wallis Annenberg GenSpace.
• Audrey and Sydney Irmas Campus (West Los Angeles): Nestled on a three‑and‑a‑half‑acre city block at Olympic and Barrington, the Irmas Campus offers a contemporary, village‑style setting. It is a hub for education, home to the Mann Family Early Childhood Center, Brawerman West Elementary School, Gloria and Peter S. Gold Religious School, and teen programs of the Center for Youth Engagement. Facilities include the 300‑seat Marcia Israel Chapel/Auditorium, gymnasium, social hall, art and music rooms, and sports field.
• Resnick Family Campus (Brentwood): The recently renovated Resnick Family Campus brings together elegant design, modern amenities, and deep Jewish spirit. It houses the Resnick Family Early Childhood Center, the Center for Youth Engagement and Elaine and Bram Goldsmith Religious School, and the Karsh Tikkun Olam Center. Event spaces include the Kopelson Family Sanctuary, Gray Family Chapel, Seigel Lounge, and Klein Hall.
• Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps & Steve Breuer Conference Center (Malibu): Located in the Malibu hills, Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps (Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camp) offer unforgettable summers by the sea. The campus also houses the Steve Breuer Conference Center, providing hotel‑style accommodations and inspiring views for spiritual retreats, adult learning, and organizational gatherings. After the 2018 Woolsey Fire, the camps operate offsite in Carlsbad while rebuilding Malibu property.

For more information about Wilshire Boulevard Temple, visit www.wbtla.org.

THE POSITION

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is a strategic, mission‑aligned leader responsible for integrating and advancing Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s mission across all campuses and initiatives. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO builds high‑performing teams, anticipates future needs, and stewards key assets—especially the Audrey Irmas Pavilion—to drive revenue growth, expand membership, and increase engagement across camps, schools, and a robust portfolio of programs. The CEO is an entrepreneurial and creative leader, ready to engage with an evolving leadership structure and implement a new strategic plan. As the Temple’s senior organizational leader, the CEO is responsible for all aspects of administration and operations and works closely with the Senior Rabbi, clergy, and lay leadership to serve the Temple community and the broader population, including initiatives of the Karsh Center.

CORE AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Strategic Leadership & Implementation

• Leads a collaborative model with the Senior Rabbi, clergy, and Board, built on mutual respect and clearly defined responsibilities.
• Translates Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s vision into actionable strategies and ensures consistent execution across initiatives.
• Drives organizational transformation by cultivating a forward‑looking strategy that anticipates changing landscapes.
• Champions strategic change and leverages emerging technologies to position Wilshire Boulevard Temple for long‑term success and sustainability.

Operational Oversight

• Oversees administrative, operations, and technology systems for smooth day‑to‑day functioning and alignment with the mission.
• Manages and continually improves systems, processes, and organizational structures to promote stability and operational excellence.
• Provides executive oversight of legal, regulatory, risk, and facilities across a complex, multi‑entity, multi‑campus organization, ensuring compliance and asset stewardship.
• Partners with the CFO on budgeting, forecasting, capital planning, and long‑term financial modeling.
• Builds and retains high‑performing teams and fosters a collaborative culture.
• Directly or indirectly manages all synagogue office staff, ensuring clarity of roles, strong performance, and alignment with mission and values.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivates trust and effective communication with clergy, lay leaders, staff, and community partners.

Board Management & Governance

• Serves as the primary staff partner to the Board of Trustees, supporting effective governance through transparent communication, agenda development, decision support, and execution of Board‑approved strategies while maintaining clear boundaries between governance and management.

Revenue Growth & Strategic Partnerships

• Develops diversified, mission‑aligned revenue streams that strengthen financial sustainability while reinforcing Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s role as a cultural and civic leader.
• Develops and implements strategies to increase membership engagement and drive attendance across programs and campuses.

Community Experience & Inclusion

• Ensures welcoming environments and expands services to underserved communities.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven leadership experience in complex nonprofit organizations, multi‑unit, and/or for‑profit enterprises with a record of driving strategic alignment and operational excellence.
• Expertise in management and supervision of professional staff, including team building, coaching, feedback, and fostering a collaborative culture.
• Outstanding communication and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to assimilate multiple and varied perspectives and wants, and engage diverse stakeholders effectively.
• Adaptability and problem‑solving ability in dynamic, fast‑changing environments; skilled at anticipating challenges and developing creative solutions.
• Strong background in financial management, including budgeting, revenue growth strategies, and ensuring long‑term financial sustainability.
• Experience in fundraising and donor stewardship is highly preferred, with the ability to cultivate relationships that support mission‑driven initiatives.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$335,000+

Wilshire Boulevard Temple offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; a generous retirement plan; and robust professional development opportunities to support ongoing growth.

Wilshire Boulevard Temple values fairness and respect in its hiring practices and is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive workplace. As a religious organization, certain positions may require consideration of faith‑based qualifications consistent with our mission and values, as permitted by law.

TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS

We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply even if you do not meet all of the qualifications outlined above. If you are selected to move forward for an initial screening call, we expect you to hear from us by the end of February.