Executive Director

Merraine Group; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation & Jewish holidays

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

The Chevra, a Philadelphia-based Jewish nonprofit, seeks an Executive Director to lead strategic growth, staff leadership, and donor development. Working with the Founder and Board, you will strengthen Philadelphia programs while exploring scalable models and potential presence beyond the city.

This role requires substantial in-person leadership, with a flexible hybrid arrangement. The ED will build partnerships with local institutions, manage operations, and ensure mission-driven impact across

Qualifications

• Experience leading nonprofit organizations.
• Proven ability to raise funds and cultivate donors.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Willing to travel and maintain a high visibility in the community.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, organizational, and operational leadership.
• Grow Philadelphia flagship and scalable model beyond Philadelphia.
• Represent The Chevra to donors and partners.
• Oversee budgeting, compliance, HR, and operations.
• Collaborate with Founder and Board to develop fundraising strategy.

Skills

Nonprofit leadership

Fundraising strategy

Staff and board collaboration

Community building

Digital tools & CRM

Strategic planning

Job description

The Chevra is a vibrant, Philadelphia-based organization dedicated to inspiring Jewish adults in their 20s and 30s through transformative trips, Torah-based learning, Shabbat meals, dynamic events, and leadership development. Anchored by a high-quality facility and a community committed to accessible, authentic Jewish living, The Chevra blends innovation with tradition, empowering each individual to engage with Judaism with warmth, wisdom, and joy.

As The Chevra enters its next chapter, it is seeking a dynamic Executive Director to build upon its established brand and reputation while exploring how its programs and community-building model might be shared or replicated in other communities. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead a respected Philadelphia institution while helping shape initiatives with broader regional and national relevance.

We are a team of 10 people, a combination of part-time and full-time; however, we are very much looking to expand the team either by expanding the part-time workers into full-time, or by hiring the people needed. However, this will be at the discretion of the new ED and funding/growth contingent.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director will provide strategic, organizational, and operational leadership for The Chevra, with primary responsibility for organizational growth, staff leadership, community engagement, fundraising strategy, partnerships, and execution. Working closely with the Founder, Board of Directors, staff, educators, and donors, the Executive Director will strengthen The Chevra's Philadelphia-based programs while exploring opportunities for broader impact, including scalable programming models and a potential Chevra presence beyond Philadelphia.

Because meaningful relationship-building and community leadership require a substantial in-person presence, this is not a fully remote position. However, full-time relocation may not be required for an exceptional candidate who can maintain a consistent, meaningful presence in Philadelphia.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Leadership & Growth
• Lead and execute the organization's long-term strategic vision in collaboration with the Board and staff.
• Strengthen The Chevra's Philadelphia flagship while identifying which elements of its model can be scaled, adapted, or replicated elsewhere.
• Represent The Chevra to donors, Jewish institutions, community partners, and the broader public.
• Oversee and strengthen The Chevra's presence throughout Greater Philadelphia, including key regional partnerships (e.g., Aish Chaim, Meor Philly, RAJE Philly).
• Identify new opportunities for organizational growth, innovation, and sustainability.
• Participate actively in fundraising initiatives and donor cultivation, building meaningful relationships with current and prospective donors.
• Work with the Board and development professionals to build a sustainable fundraising strategy and operation.
• Communicate The Chevra's mission, impact, and vision effectively to supporters and stakeholders, including funders interested in scalable, replicable models.
• Community & Program Leadership
• Develop and execute strategies to grow The Chevra's Philadelphia community while deepening engagement among existing participants and alumni.
• Host and maintain a visible, inspiring presence at Shabbat meals, holiday programs, and community events.
• Collaborate with senior educators and program directors to develop, evaluate, and scale creative programming across a full calendar of events, trips, classes, and community service.
• Oversee The Chevra's digital presence and virtual programming to expand reach beyond Philadelphia.
• Monitor program participation and outcomes, adapting programming based on measurable impact and community feedback.

Operations & Staff Management

• Manage and supervise staff and lay leaders, ensuring strong performance, morale, and accountability.
• Oversee budgeting, compliance, HR, and administrative operations, with sound fiscal management and timely Board reporting.
• Establish clear organizational goals, budgets, and key performance indicators.
• Foster a collaborative, mission-driven, high-performing organizational culture.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A deep passion for Jewish communal life, identity, outreach, and innovation.
• Significant experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, community building, or organizational management.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage operations, and advance an organization's strategic goals.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with an entrepreneurial mindset comfortable building an emerging vision.
• Familiarity with Jewish young-professional culture and programming strongly preferred.
• Comfort using digital tools, CRM platforms, and social media/event-marketing systems.
• Demonstrated ability to move between high-level strategy and effective, hands‑on execution.
• Willingness to maintain a highly visible presence at Philadelphia community and holiday events, with regular travel as needed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Annual compensation of $135,000–$200,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
• Family health insurance compensation.
• Paid vacation and Jewish holidays.
• The opportunity to lead a respected Jewish organization and help shape initiatives with impact across multiple communities.

LOCATION AND WORKING STRUCTURE

The Executive Director must maintain a substantial, consistent presence in Philadelphia. The Chevra is open to a flexible hybrid arrangement for an exceptional candidate who can provide strong on‑site leadership and remain fully integrated with staff and community.

The Executive Director will report to Jon regularly and the Board of Directors quarterly (subject to change, but that is the narrative for now) and have ownership of the organization’s day‑to‑day leadership and execution. Jon Erlbaum, as Founder, will remain closely involved as a strategic partner and resource, particularly around the Chevra’s vision, Torah direction, and long‑term strategy, but the ED will be empowered to lead the organization.