Congregation Beth Israel is a spiritual home that celebrates Reform Judaism and its traditions through worship, community and lifelong learning.
Organization
Founded in 1854, Congregation Beth Israel is a vibrant and diverse Reform Jewish Congregation in Houston, Texas. The oldest Jewish congregation in Texas, with a rich history and legacy, it is one of the largest Reform congregations in the country with more than 1500 family members. Home to The Shlenker School, one of the nation’s premier Reform Jewish day schools and the Miriam Browning Jewish Learning Center, a nationally acclaimed supplementary Sunday school, we are a welcoming and inclusive congregation that shares a commitment to Jewish life and learning for families, singles, Jews-by-choice, interfaith families, LGBTQ individuals, and people of all ages.
Position
The Executive Director leads and is responsible for all secular activities of the synagogue community for this organization with an annual operating budget of nearly $6 million and a considerable and growing endowment of more than $23 million. The synagogue employs 35-plus full and part-time employees and operates within a 148,000 square foot facility, including The Shlenker School, on a 20-acre campus in the heart of Houston. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Trustees through the President and works collaboratively with the Senior Rabbi, clergy, staff, leaders, and members of the congregation.
Responsibilities
- Plans, directs and executes the Congregation’s secular activities, including oversight and active leadership of Finance & Accounting, Facilities, Security, two Cemeteries, Human Resources, Technology, Audio Visual, Office Administration, Development, Membership, Special Events Planning and Logistics, and other general operational and administrative matters.
- Works closely with the President of the Board of Trustees and Senior Rabbi in collaboration with the Director of Lifelong Learning and Engagement and Head of The Shlenker School to ensure that secular operations of the congregation support the evolving spiritual mission of the congregation.
- Takes a leadership role with congregants, Senior Rabbi, and Senior Staff in coordinating development/fundraising activities.
- Ensures all secular operations are compliant, high quality, efficient and delivered in accordance with the synagogue’s mission and values.
- Develops and maintains a long-range strategy to ensure facilities, systems, technology and processes remain current.
- Implements management controls and practices that promote and develop administrative policies, individual performance goals and accountability.
- Fosters a culture of teamwork and excellence that reflects the values of the synagogue.
- Regularly reviews and updates business continuity plans.
- Proactively engages with Board of Trustees members, providing information in support of the board’s oversight and decision-making responsibilities.
- Serves as the primary liaison to the congregation’s major organizational branches including its Lifelong Learning Center, Day School and Endowment Board.
- Maintains a strong presence in the congregation by regularly attending major events and gatherings.
- Along with the Senior Rabbi and Senior Staff, ensures a culture that is warm, caring and welcoming for all members and visitors to the congregation.
- Develops and maintains relationships within the Jewish community, the interfaith community and community at-large, representing Beth Israel and serving as a liaison or spokesperson with regard to congregational issues.
Qualifications
- Must embrace the mission of the congregation and understand and respect the practices of Reform Judaism.
- Ten years or more of top-level executive management decision-making and proven ability to set priorities, manage human resources, finances, development, facilities, technology, administrative and support services.
- Strong communicator and collaborator who engages staff and clergy and builds strong teams.
- Ability to manage, recruit, motivate and organize staff and lay volunteers.
- Excellent relationship building and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Articulate, with exceptional interpersonal skills coupled with high emotional intelligence.
- Self-directed, professional, and resourceful style, the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks and projects.
- Ability to manage multiple constituencies and set priorities.
- Strong computer and database skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Strong background in management with top level management and executive experience.
- A bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field.
- This is not a remote or hybrid position.
Benefits
Salaried position with full benefits plus pension
