Senior Director of Jewish Education and Programs

Jewish-Community-Center-of-the-East-Bay; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Jewish holidays

Job summary

The JCC East Bay in Oakland is seeking a Senior Director of Jewish Education and Programs to translate our educational vision into engaging, meaningful programs for children, teens, families, and adults. This role leads educational priorities, guides program leaders, and ensures alignment with our mission and values.

Reporting to the CJEO, the Senior Director will supervise key staff, develop annual plans, and build partnerships with local Jewish organizations to expand reach while maintaining

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years in Jewish education or related field.
• Experience in senior leadership with staff mentorship.
• Experience leading educational programs from concept to execution.
• Strong knowledge of Jewish life, culture, and values with pluralism.
• Experience with Israel education and Jewish peoplehood preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead educational priorities and strategic initiatives organization-wide.
• Directly supervise the Teen Manager and Dean of Education for Afterschool and other staff.
• Develop annual plans, goals, budgets, and calendars; manage resources.
• Collaborate with program directors to ensure program quality and impact.
• Represent JCC East Bay in community meetings and partner events.

Skills

Senior leadership

Staff supervision

Program development

Jewish education

Experiential education

Budget management

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in Jewish Education or related field

Job description

ABOUT THE JCC EAST BAYThe JCC East Bay values hachnasat orchim (providing a welcoming home) for people of all ages and life stages. Inspired by Jewish values, culture, and tradition, we build relationships, foster learning, and offer accessible pathways to Jewish life through programs for all stages of life and for all age groups. After decades of operating our suite of programs in North Berkeley, we recently moved our home for East Bay Jewish life to the East Bay Jewish Community Campus in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland. As part of this move, we are dramatically expanding our programming and activities to spark creativity, nurture identity, and weave together diverse generations, cultures, and organizations—including voices from across global Jewry—into a living tapestry of culture, learning, and kehilla (community) connections. Our flagship campus in the Rockridge neighborhood houses our administrative offices and our award-winning preschool, and while our afterschool programs continue to operate in Berkeley and in several Oakland public schools.POSITION SUMMARYThe Senior Director of Jewish Education and Programs is an experienced, collaborative, and visionary leader who brings a strong background in Jewish education, experiential learning, program development, and staff leadership. Working closely with the Chief Jewish Education Officer (CJEO), this person plays a key role in translating the JCC East Bay's educational vision into high-quality, engaging, and meaningful programs for children, teens, families, and adults. The Senior Director will provide strategic and operational leadership for designated educational and community programs, supervise and mentor program leaders, and ensure that programs are aligned with the JCC East Bay's mission, educational values, and organizational priorities. The Senior Director reports to the Chief Jewish Education Officer and is a member of the Jewish Education leadership team.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESEducational and Programmatic Leadership Partner with the Chief Jewish Education Officer to translate the JCC East Bay's Jewish educational vision into meaningful, high-quality programs and learning experiences across the organization. Lead the implementation of educational priorities and strategic initiatives within these programs; from initial concept and planning to implementation. Work collaboratively with program directors and educators to strengthen all aspects of Jewish learning and education within their programs while also developing annual plans, setting program goals, managing resources, and ensuring effective execution. Provide hands-on leadership for selected programs and initiatives, including facilitating learning sessions, leading community gatherings, and coordinating special events. Ensure program quality through ongoing reflection, observation, evaluation, and continuous improvement, supporting program leaders in setting goals and assessing impact. Identify opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and cross-program learning, fostering connections among programs and across different age groups and communities. Be available to work occasional evenings andSundays to support programs, events, and community gatherings.Staff Supervision, Leadership, and Development Directly supervise and support the Teen Manager and Dean of Education for Afterschool, as well as additional staff as the organizational structure evolves. Collaborate with the CJEO to advance professional learning opportunities that strengthen Jewish educational practice and build staff confidence and capacity. Establish clear expectations, goals, and performance measures in partnership with direct reports, and conduct regular check-ins and performance reviews. Empower program leaders to take ownership of their programs while providing guidance, accountability, and support in addressing challenges and making decisions. Facilitate select Jewish learning experiences for staff, families, teens, and adults, drawing on a strong foundation in Jewish texts, traditions, culture, and experiential education. Stay informed about emerging approaches, resources, and trends in Jewish education, informal learning, and community engagement.Community Partnerships and Engagement Build and maintain strong relationships with local Jewish organizations, synagogues, schools, educators, community leaders, and other partners. In partnership with the CJEO, develop new collaborations and community initiatives that expand the JCC East Bay's reach and create meaningful opportunities for Jewish connection. Represent the JCC East Bay in community meetings, professional networks, and partner gatherings in order to strengthen the organization's presence across the East Bay. Collaborate with internal teams to develop programs and events that bring diverse communities together and foster a sense of belonging and shared responsibility. Identify opportunities for collaborative programming, shared resources, and community-wide initiatives that advance the JCC East Bay's mission.Administration, Operations, and Organizational Collaboration Oversee and support program leaders in developing and monitoring program budgets, calendars, staffing plans, enrollment goals, and operational priorities. Monitor program performance and use feedback, participation data, and evaluation tools to inform planning and continuous improvement. Ensure that programs under their supervision adhere to relevant organizational policies, safety requirements, licensing standards, and other applicable regulations, in partnership with the appropriate organizational staff. Contribute to organizational planning, reporting, and evaluation, fundraising, and broader JCC East Bay initiatives as needed. Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Jewish Education Officer.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 10 - 15+ years of professional experience in Jewish education, experiential education, youth and family programming, community engagement, or a related field. Experience working in a Jewish Community Center, Jewish day school, camp, or other Jewish communal organization preferred. Demonstrated experience in a senior leadership role, including direct supervision, mentorship, and professional development of staff and program leaders. Proven ability to lead, develop, and implement educational programs and initiatives from concept through execution. Strong understanding of Jewish life, culture, traditions, and values, with a commitment to pluralism and creating inclusive Jewish learning experiences. Experience with Israel education, Jewish peoplehood, and contemporary approaches to Jewish identity and engagement preferred. Experience designing and facilitating experiential Jewish learning for diverse audiences, including children, teens, families, and adults. Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Experience developing and managing budgets, allocating resources, and overseeing program operations. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with staff, families, community partners, and organizational leadership. Demonstrated ability to build a positive, collaborative team culture while maintaining clear expectations, accountability, and high standards. A commitment to ongoing professional growth, reflection, and learning. Master's degree in Jewish Education, Education, Educational Leadership, Jewish Studies, or a related field preferred.This is a full-time, in-person leadership position based primarily at the JCC East Bay's Rockridge campus in Oakland, with regular work at other JCC East Bay program locations in Berkeley and Oakland. The position requires a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings, Sundays, and community events, to support the needs of the programs and communities served.The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $120,000 annually. Excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, vacation, sick pay, and holidays (including Jewish holidays).The JCC East Bay is an Equal Opportunity Employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. JCC East Bay policy prohibits unlawful discrimination in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. The JCC East Bay complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require particular accommodations during the application and interview process, please inform us of your needs so that we can provide accordingly.Systemic inequities in hiring have caused women, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, and others to apply to jobs only if they meet all of the qualifications. The JCC East Bay encourages you to apply anyway, as no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. We look forward to your application.