Executive Director

Communal Hebrew School; New Jersey; On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Temple B’nai Or seeks an Executive Director to lead the temple’s administration, finances, and strategic initiatives in New Jersey. The ED partners with clergy and lay leaders to sustain a thriving congregational community while ensuring accountability, policy compliance, and operational excellence across all functions.

Reporting to the Board, the ED will oversee non-clergy staff, guide budgeting and risk management, and collaborate with fundraising leadership to support resource development and

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience managing teams and board relationships.
• Proven budgeting, financial operations, and risk management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong planning, prioritization, and execution across programs.
• Familiarity with organizational software, CRM, IT basics.
• Understanding Reform Jewish values and congregational dynamics.
• Ability to translate board vision into operational plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day administration aligned with strategic goals.
• Advise the Board on operational issues, risk, staffing, finance, and facilities.
• Implement policies and procedures to improve efficiency and accountability.
• Oversee senior staff meetings and cross-functional coordination.
• Lead budgeting, financial planning, and reporting to board.
• Maintain internal controls, cash flow, and insurance.
• Partner with fundraising leadership for donor stewardship.
• Supervise non-clergy staff, set performance expectations.
• Hire, review, discipline, and manage staff.
• Foster professional, collaborative culture and HR compliance.
• Ensure facilities meet safety and regulatory standards.
• Oversee IT, cybersecurity, and data management.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Acumen

Communication

Organizational Mastery

Technical Proficiency

Jewish Community Life

Strategic Thinking

Job description

Role Summary

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief administrative and operational leader of Temple B’nai Or. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the ED is responsible for executing the board’s strategic priorities, ensuring strong financial stewardship, overseeing all non-clergy staff, and maintaining the operational, cultural, and organizational health of the Temple. The ED creates and implements systems with accountability measures, leading to operational excellence across all functions. The ED partners closely with clergy and lay leaders to support a thriving congregational community.

This role requires seasoned leadership, sound judgment, emotional intelligence, executive functioning, disciplined management, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Core Responsibilities

• Organizational Leadership & Governance Execution
• Lead day-to-day administration and ensure alignment with the Board of Trustees’ strategic goals.
• Advise the Board proactively on operational issues, risk management, staffing, finance, and facilities.
• Implement policies, systems, and procedures that strengthen efficiency, accountability, and consistency across the organization.
• Oversee senior staff meetings, drive cross-functional coordination, and ensure timely follow-through.
• Financial Stewardship & Risk Management
• Lead the budgeting process, financial planning, and ongoing financial management of the Temple.
• Oversee finance professionals and ensure timely, accurate reporting and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Present monthly and periodic financial statements to the Board and relevant committees, highlighting risks, variances, and recommended actions.
• Maintain appropriate internal controls, cash-flow management, insurance coverage, and financial policies.
• Partner with fundraising leadership to support resource development strategies and donor stewardship.
• Staff Leadership, Human Resources & Culture
• Supervise all non-clergy staff, establishing clear performance expectations, accountability systems, and professional development pathways.
• Lead hiring, performance review, discipline, and dismissal of reporting staff.
• Foster a professional, collaborative, and solutions-oriented work culture.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state employment laws, HR policies, and best practices.
• Operations, Facilities & Compliance
• Ensure all facilities are safe, well-maintained, and operated efficiently, meeting regulatory and security standards.
• Oversee major maintenance, capital projects, and vendor relationships.
• Strengthen operational systems including IT, cybersecurity, software platforms, member data, and administrative workflows.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, educational, financial, and safety requirements.
• Communications, Membership & Community Engagement
• Oversee communications staff responsible for internal and external messaging, website, newsletters, and social media.
• Provide leadership for membership engagement strategy to create an inclusive, welcoming, and connected congregational experience.
• Partner with clergy and lay leadership to support programming, community-building, and lifecycle events.
• Preschool Oversight
• Supervise the Director of the Preschool ensuring strong educational operations, financial sustainability, and regulatory compliance.

Required Skills And Qualifications

• Leadership & Management:Proven senior management experience with a track record of building effective teams, managing conflict, creating accountability systems, solving complex organizational problems, and leading through change.
• Financial Acumen:Demonstrated experience managing budgets, overseeing financial operations, and ensuring compliance and risk management.
• Communication:Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills; able to engage with staff, board members, congregants, donors, and external partners with clarity and professionalism.
• Organizational Mastery:Strong planning, prioritization, and execution skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and respond quickly to shifting needs.
• Technical Proficiency:Experience with organizational software systems (database, CRM/membership systems, financial software, communication platforms, and IT/cybersecurity basics).
• Knowledge of Jewish Community Life:Understanding and respect for Reform Jewish values, traditions, and congregational dynamics.
• Strategic Thinking:Ability to translate board vision into operational plans, anticipate future needs, and build systems that support long-term growth and stability.

References will be requested from the successful candidate.

Background Check required

Salary Range 100-130k