Congregation Schara Tzedeck seeks an Executive Director to serve our membership base of 500 families from all over the world. Our synagogue has been a pillar of the Vancouver Jewish Community for nearly 120 years and is the largest and most established Orthodox Synagogue in Western Canada. Schara Tzedeck boasts passionate rabbinic leadership, superb event facilities, and an intense commitment to its legacy. We have fully reopened our doors post-pandemic and are looking to elevate the offerings and experiences of our members, and to be the nucleus for Modern Orthodox life here in Vancouver both today and in the years to come.

Our Mission. Our Why.
Schara Tzedeck is a modern Orthodox congregation dedicated to fostering a warm and inclusive community that enhances the personal, educational, and spiritual growth of our diverse membership through enriching, meaningful Jewish experiences.

We are committed to providing resources for our members to explore and embrace Torah and Jewish life, as well as nurturing educated and socially engaged partners committed to building and growing the local and wider Jewish communities of Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

The Opportunity
The Executive Director will provide oversight of the day-to-day operations of the synagogue to meet the diverse needs of all members and ensure the Congregation’s stability over the long-term. You will work closely with the President, Board of Directors, and staff team, and act as a liaison between the Rabbis, lay and religious leadership, members, and volunteers. You’ll be excellent in this role if you are aligned with our mission, a leader with dynamic people skills, and have operational management experience with a synagogue.

Responsibilities

Operations Management
• Create and implement an operational plan (objectives, metrics, and budget) that meets the goals set by the Board
• Manage the Congregation’s day-to-day operations within the limits of the approved budget
• Continuously improve office operations in terms of organizational structure, technology, and business systems
• Ensure staff have the administrative support and tools they need to do their jobs effectively

Financial Leadership
• Work closely with the Board Treasurer, President, and other Board leaders to prepare the annual budget
• Manage expenses efficiently and within budget
• Continually monitor revenue, regularly explore and follow-up on new revenue opportunities
• Report to the Board monthly on financial performance against the budget
• Identify grant opportunities that are relevant to the Congregation’s objectives and complete grant applications

Capital Assets
• Oversee that all capital assets, including synagogue facilities, obtain the highest benefit by developing and implementing marketing strategies to optimize their profitable use
• Where the Board and special Committees have identified opportunities to upgrade or develop capital assets, engage as a partner in the delivery of these projects
• Work with the House Committee to identify and create a business case for capital expenditures; present to the Board for approval

Fundraising
• Work with Board President and others to lead a fundraising strategy for the synagogue
• Take an active role in donor cultivation and donor recognition
• Identify, recommend, and spearhead innovative fundraising opportunities
• Nurture opportunities for financial engagement of our new generation of donors
• Oversee legacy gifts including handling bequests
• Oversee the execution of the Congregation’s major special events containing a fundraising component (ie. MOSAIC, Kol Nidre Appeal)
• Stay “in the know” with how to effectively execute on fundraising strategies to maximize the benefit to both the Congregation and the donor (ie. tax issues)

People Management
• Supervise all staff and act as point person for Human Resources issues
• Ensure each staff member creates and implements a workplan for his/ her area of responsibility
• Conduct regular and annual performance reviews of staff
• Draft contracts and participate in contract negotiations with Clergy and other staff
• Participate in the selection and evaluation of Clergy as requested by the Executive and/or Personnel Committee
• Ensure staff have opportunities to pursue ongoing professional development

Communications
• Ensure the synagogue website and other social media are used effectively to communicate timely and relevant information to and from members and other target audiences
• Oversee and proofread communications to ensure they are clear, professional, and of the highest standards
• Strategize on how best to segment communications either as groups based on demographics or interests, or to individual members to share specific information such as yahrzeits

Member Services
• Build positive relationships with existing, new, and potential members
• Create structure and procedures surrounding lifecycle events (births, weddings, Bar/ Bat Mitzvahs, funerals, etc.) to ensure these are positive experiences for members as they are a critical entry/ exit points
• Cultivate opportunities to engage members and potential members
• Effectively build a positive profile of, and support for Schara Tzedeck in the broader Jewish community

Board Support
• Keep the President and Board updated on strategic and operational performance
• Support the Board and Executive through regular attendance and participation in meetings; work with the President to create agendas for these meetings
• Support Committee Chairs with executing their mandates
• Ensure staff take turns reporting on their operational plans and accomplishments to the Board

What You’ve Accomplished
• A successful track record of synagogue management, preferably in a Modern Orthodox synagogue
• Success with:
o Stakeholder relations
o Inspiring interest in Modern Orthodox Jewish life
o Managing a team of professionals to accomplish their best work
o Financial resource development, including executing annual fundraising campaigns, cultivation, stewardship, and major gift solicitation
o Fiscal budgeting and financial forecasting
o Efficiently leading an office

What You’ll Bring to the Job
• A commitment to Congregation Schara Tzedeck’s mission and values
• Excellent communication skills - oral, written, and via social media
• Ability to deliver results under pressure
• Ability to manage and resolve conflict
• A sense of humour and patience
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Ability to show grace under fire

What You'll Receive
• A competitive salary
• A comprehensive benefits package that includes: extended health and dental insurance, RRSP contributions, life insurance, Long Term Disability (LTD), Flexible Spending Account, and support for continuing professional development

To apply to this opportunity, please submit your CV and a covering letter to careers@scharatzedeck.com.