Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer

Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer

Stephen Wise Temple & Schools

Los Angeles, California

About the Position

The Executive Director serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Stephen Wise Temple and Schools, reporting directly to the Senior Rabbi, and working in close collaboration with our Temple President. He or she will be subject to periodic review by the Senior Rabbi and the Board of Directors. He or she will have a strong working relationship with members of our Clergy, the Head of School, professional staff, lay leadership, and our membership. 

The ED/COO helps to ensure that all those who interact with Wise have a warm, welcoming, and “user-friendly” experience. The ED/COO is responsible for directing all aspects of the Temple and Schools administrative, financial, and business operations, as well as overseeing key staff, and the operational maintenance of our physical facility including managing a comprehensive long-term master campus plan and ensuring that all operations are conducted consistently with Reform Jewish values. The ED/COO’s work will encompass evening and weekend hours from time to time and the Executive Director will be present for religious services and special events when a large number of our members and families participate. 

About You

You want to make a difference. You love collaborating with people and have a strong desire to make meaning and change the world. You have a strong background in non-profit leadership with experience working with private schools as well. 

You know how to lead and get things done. You think strategically and know how to develop tactics that will support the institution’s overarching mission. You excel at keeping your eye on both the big picture and the details. You are good at engaging others and have excellent “congregant service” skills. You believe in our mission, vision, values, and goals and can communicate easily and effectively with people in all walks of life, from clergy to congregants and donors.

About Us

Celebrating our 60th year in 2024, Stephen Wise Temple is one of the largest Reform Jewish synagogues in the country and incorporates three schools. With 1,600 member families and more than 150 employees, Wise is known for its extensive educational, worship, and community service programs, designed for individuals and families of all ages and backgrounds. We are a diverse, “big-tent” community that welcomes all who wish to make meaning and change the world with us.

Our 19-acre campus sits atop the Mulholland Corridor of the Santa Monica Mountains. We will be opening a brand new, cutting-edge Aaron Milken Early Childhood Center in 2024. 

The core competencies we are looking for in a candidate include: 

• Leadership and Creativity: Able to support our Senior Rabbi, gain his confidence and trust, and help implement his vision, anticipate his needs, and minimize the time he must spend on administrative matters.  Able to analyze complex issues, propose and implement effective and timely solutions, and get his team to work well together. Understands the key drivers of congregational affiliation and school enrollment and leads the staff and high-level volunteers in supporting those drivers. Promotes the congregation’s commitment to an inclusive culture. Drives efforts to meet or exceed member expectations. Acts as a model to staff; guiding and empowering them to engage in practices and build relationships that support our mission.
• People Management: Excellent supervision and management skills, providing support and continuous monitoring of goals and deadlines for key staff in the performance of their duties. Ability to recruit, retain, develop, and inspire staff including direct reports: Director of Finance, IT Systems, Development Associate, Communications Director, Events/Catering Coordinator, Membership Director, and Director of Operations & Facilities. Ability to effectively recruit, retain, develop, and inspire staff, from direct reports to all reaches of the organization.
• Interpersonal Skills: Able to develop effective relationships with lay leaders, the Board of Directors, school, and professional staff; ability to connect with, engage, motivate, and partner with lay leaders in their mission-critical functions.
• Financial Management: Able to read and interpret financial statements, plan and participate in the annual budget process, monitor cash flow and collections, supervise and review the preparation of all financial reports, and make recommendations for all facets of the organization’s financial health, from raising revenue to monitoring and lowering operating costs to planning for the long-term sustainability of the organization. 
• Strategic Thinking: Demonstrates the ability to think strategically around major issues such as personnel management, operational and system efficiencies, communications, retaining and growing Temple and School membership and enrollment, development, master facilities planning, catering/events, dues collections, and membership growth.
• Process Management: Figures out the processes necessary to achieve results and goals. Anticipates change and effectively manages transitions. Values the lay leadership model and works effectively within it. 
• Ministering to the Community: As a key staff member in our religious educational institution, role-models the tenets of our faith on a daily basis to our members and the broader Temple community; participates in transmitting the expectations and values of our faith, playing a critical and essential role in the Temple’s ability to minister to the daily needs of our students and members.

Relevant Education and/or Experience 

• Familiarity with Jewish rituals, holidays, and life-cycle traditions; 
• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred)
• At least 10+ years working in the non-profit and or private education fields, with at least 5 years experience at an executive level
• Capability with computer skills relevant to the position, including Microsoft Office applications, website maintenance, and web-based technology (including online payment and communication tools);
• Ability to learn new, relevant computer applications and tools; demonstrates strong written and oral communication skills;

Our Compensation and Benefits

Stephen Wise offers a competitive salary and generous benefits package as summarized below. More specific information on benefits will be provided to candidates invited to interview.

• Salary Range: Base salary ranges from $190,000 to $220,000 per year.
• Benefits: Medical, dental, and long-term disability insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and bereavement leave; professional association membership and travel to annual conference; retirement plan with employer contribution; synagogue membership; free religious school tuition and discount on school tuition for employee’s children; free attendance at most synagogue programs; paid Jewish and civil holidays. 
• Relocation Assistance: Negotiable 

To Apply

Interested candidates should e-mail a cover letter and resume to:
https://symmetryhro.applytojob.com/apply/TB1aQZtakX/Executive-DirectorChief-Operating-Officer
Applications will be kept in confidence and reference checking will only be performed with permission of the candidate.

Powered by JazzHR

TB1aQZtakX