Program Director

Temple Beth Zion; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Temple Beth Zion Buffalo, NY is seeking a strategic Program Director to partner with clergy and lay leadership. You will translate vision into actionable plans, coordinate staff and resources, and ensure excellence across TBZ programs in a dynamic community setting.

The role blends strategic planning, program management, development coordination, and operational support, with compensation based on experience. This is a full-time, on-site leadership opportunity at TBZ.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business, education, organizational leadership, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in program planning, project management, staff coordination, and business operations.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and lead teams with clarity and professionalism.
• Experience with budgeting, operational systems, and administrative processes.
• Comfort with digital tools and willingness to learn new platforms (e.g., ShulCloud).
• Familiarity with Jewish communal life or willingness to learn; alignment with Reform Jewish values of inclusivity and respect.

Responsibilities

• Partner with clergy and committee chairs to design, plan, and execute ritual, educational, and community-building programs that advance TBZ's vision and strengthen congregational engagement.
• Translate strategic priorities into project plans with clear ownership, timelines, milestones, measurable outcomes, and impact tracking for leadership and Board reporting.
• Align program plans with budgets, available funding sources, donor intent, grant requirements, staffing needs, and long-term sustainability considerations.
• Coordinate program operations and readiness, including staff support, calendar and space planning, facilities coordination, vendor communication, and alignment with the Operations Manager.
• Partner with the Development Coordinator, Development Committee, and lay leaders to connect program priorities with donor interests, stewardship opportunities, fundraising goals, and impact storytelling.
• Manage donor-funded and grant-supported initiatives from concept through implementation, outcome tracking, reporting, stewardship support, and renewal planning.
• Build repeatable program systems, planning tools, and evaluation practices that improve execution, grant readiness, outcome tracking, and leadership reporting.
• Establish clear, respectful, and professional communication standards while preparing program summaries, reports, briefings, and follow-up materials for clergy, leadership, donors, and the Board.
• Supervise, coach, and support administrative and program staff, clarifying roles and fostering a collaborative, accountable, service-oriented workplace culture.

Skills

Strong communication

Project management

Leadership

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management or related field

Tools

ShulCloud

Job description

Temple Beth Zion Buffalo, NY

Full-Time Salaried (40 hours week, $80K to $100K depending on experience)

Temple Beth Zion (TBZ), a vibrant Reform Jewish community, is seeking a strategic, missiondriven Temple Director/Program Director to partner with the Senior Rabbi, Cantor, Board President, and lay leadership in advancing the Temples vision. This senior program leadership role ensures that programmatic ideas become wellplanned, wellfunded, and wellexecuted initiatives while maintaining smooth, professional daytoday operations.

About The Role

The Program Director (pay and seniority level to be defined based on candidates experience) serves as a trusted advisor and program leader, translating clergy and committee vision into actionable plans, coordinating staff and resources, and ensuring clarity, consistency, and excellence across all TBZ programs. This role blends strategic planning, program management, staff leadership, development coordination, and focused operational support in a dynamic, communitycentered environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with clergy and committee chairs to design, plan, and execute ritual, educational, and community-building programs that advance TBZs vision and strengthen congregational engagement.
• Translate strategic priorities into project plans with clear ownership, timelines, milestones, measurable outcomes, and impact tracking for leadership and Board reporting.
• Align program plans with budgets, available funding sources, donor intent, grant requirements, staffing needs, and long-term sustainability considerations.
• Coordinate program operations and readiness, including staff support, calendar and space planning, facilities coordination, vendor communication, and alignment with the Operations Manager.
• Partner with the Development Coordinator, Development Committee, and lay leaders to connect program priorities with donor interests, stewardship opportunities, fundraising goals, and impact storytelling.
• Manage donor-funded and grant-supported initiatives from concept through implementation, outcome tracking, reporting, stewardship support, and renewal planning.
• Build repeatable program systems, planning tools, and evaluation practices that improve execution, grant readiness, outcome tracking, and leadership reporting.
• Establish clear, respectful, and professional communication standards while preparing program summaries, reports, briefings, and follow-up materials for clergy, leadership, donors, and the Board.
• Supervise, coach, and support administrative and program staff, clarifying roles and fostering a collaborative, accountable, service-oriented workplace culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in nonprofit management, business, education, organizational leadership, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of experience in program planning, project management, staff coordination, and business operations.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationshipbuilding skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and lead teams with clarity and professionalism.
• Experience with budgeting, operational systems, and administrative processes.
• Comfort with digital tools and willingness to learn new platforms (e.g., ShulCloud).
• Familiarity with Jewish communal life or willingness to learn; alignment with Reform Jewish values of inclusivity and respect.

Why TBZ

This is an opportunity to shape the operational and programmatic backbone of a historic congregation committed to spiritual depth, community connection, and meaningful Jewish life. The ideal candidate is proactive, organized, collaborative, and energized by helping a missiondriven institution thrive.

Salary/Compensation: $80,000 - $100,000 per year