Exec. Dir. – Synagogue

Sherith Israel; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Sherith Israel is seeking an Executive Director in Nashville to lead day‑to‑day operations, finances, and facilities. You will partner with clergy and lay leaders to steward worship, community programs, and governance, ensuring reliable systems and strong, proactive leadership.

The role requires a proactive, organized professional with 5+ years in operations/executive roles and experience with membership systems. This is an on‑site leadership position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience; nonprofit or religious org experience preferred.
• 5+ years in operations, office/business management, or executive director roles.
• Proficiency with congregant/membership systems (ShulCloud, ChaverWeb) or strong CRM skills.
• Strong financial acumen: budgeting, bookkeeping, and financial reporting.
• Excellent organizational and project management; ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proactive with initiative and ability to build processes and structure.
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Self-starter able to work with clergy, lay leadership, and volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily synagogue operations, facilities, vendor relationships, and office administration.
• Serve as primary contact for congregants on operational matters.
• Implement operational policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Maintain building standards, safety, and staffing for services and events.
• Manage membership roster and dues records in the management system.
• Monitor dues billing and payments; resolve data quality issues.
• Manage member communications with committees; report trends to Board.
• Assist with budget preparation and monthly financial reporting with Treasurer.
• Oversee day-to-day bookkeeping, payroll coordination, AP/AR.
• Support and coordinate with volunteer committees; work with Rabbi on logistics.
• Build annual operations calendar for High Holidays and events.
• Coordinate logistics for High Holidays, festivals, and major events.
• Create checklists and playbooks for recurring events.
• Supervise administrative and facilities staff; recruit and evaluate as needed.
• Attend Board meetings and provide operational reports; translate priorities into actions.
• Support fundraising campaigns and donor records; assist with grant administration.

Skills

Operations management

Financial literacy

Project management

Communication skills

Self-starter

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ShulCloud

ChaverWeb

CRM software

Job description

The Executive Director (ED) is the senior lay-staff leader responsible for the day-to‑day administrative, financial, and operational management of Congregation Sherith Israel. The ED partners closely with the Rabbi on spiritual and programmatic matters and with the President and Board on governance and strategic priorities, serving as the organizational backbone that allows clergy and lay leadership to focus on mission, community, and pastoral care. The ideal candidate is a proactive, highly organized operator who anticipates needs before they become problems and brings structure and consistency to the congregation’s recurring rhythms — especially the High Holidays and the annual holiday and life-cycle calendar.

Job Responsibilities

Operations & Administration

• Oversee daily synagogue operations, including facilities, vendor relationships, and office administration


• Serve as the primary point of contact for congregants on operational matters


• Execute operational policies, procedures, and internal controls


• Ensure the building and grounds are well‑maintained, safe, and appropriately staffed for services and events


• Maintain an accurate, up‑to‑date membership roster and dues records using the congregation’s management system (e.g., ShulCloud or equivalent platform)


• Monitor dues billing, payment tracking, and follow‑up processes; identify and resolve data quality issues proactively


• Manage member lifecycle communications (welcome, renewal, resignation, life‑cycle events) in coordination with the Membership Committee


• Generate reports for the Board and committees on membership trends, dues collection, and engagement metrics


• Manage day‑to‑day bookkeeping, accounts payable/receivable, payroll coordination, and budget tracking


• Partner with the Treasurer and Finance Committee on annual budget preparation and monthly financial reporting


• Ensure timely, accurate dues billing and donation processing

Holiday & Program Planning

• Build and maintain a recurring annual operations calendar that anticipates High Holiday logistics, life‑cycle events, and the full holiday cycle well in advance (seating, security, staffing, catering, communications)


• Coordinate logistics for High Holidays, festivals, and major congregational events, working across clergy, staff, volunteers, and vendors


• Create repeatable checklists and playbooks for recurring events so execution is consistent year over year and not dependent on institutional memory


• Supervise administrative and facilities staff; recruit, onboard, and evaluate as needed


• Support and coordinate with volunteer committees (Membership, Ritual, Fundraising, House)


• Work in close daily partnership with the Rabbi on scheduling, program logistics, and pastoral/administrative coordination


• Attend Board meetings, provide operational reports, and support committee work


• Translate Board strategic priorities into operational action plans


• Support fundraising campaigns, planned giving initiatives, and donor record‑keeping


• Assist with grant administration and donor acknowledgment processes

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience; nonprofit, religious institution, or association management experience strongly preferred


• 5+ years in an operations, office/business management, or executive director role


• Demonstrated proficiency with a congregant/membership management system (ShulCloud, ChaverWeb, or similar) or strong general aptitude with database/CRM‑style software and a track record of learning new systems quickly


• Strong financial acumen: budgeting, bookkeeping, and financial reporting


• Excellent organizational and project management skills; able to manage multiple concurrent priorities and deadlines


• Demonstrated ability to work proactively — identifying issues before they escalat and building processes and structure rather than reacting event‑to‑event


• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills


• Self‑starter who takes initiative without close supervision


• Comfortable working with clergy, lay leadership, and diverse volunteer stakeholders

Preferred

• Familiarity with Jewish holiday cycle, ritual practice, and synagogue operations


• Experience with fundraising/development functions in a nonprofit setting


• Human resources or staff supervision experience