Executive Director

Location: Norfolk, VA 23517

The Executive Director at Congregation Beth El is the Chief Executive Officer of the synagogue and is responsible for the management of all synagogue operations, finances, and facilities. The Executive Director also plays an integral role as an ex officio member of the Board of Directors by helping to develop and implement policy set by the Board. Additionally, the Executive Director supports the clergy, provides staff oversight and guides lay leaders. As a leader and representative of the synagogue, the Executive Director serves as a welcoming presence to both current and prospective congregants, as well as liaison to regional Jewish organizations and civic-minded community groups.
Principal Duties:
• Operations: The CBE Executive Director manages all operations throughout the congregation.
• As Financial Manager, the Executive Director leads all aspects of the congregation's finances, including budgeting, financial operations, investments and developing financial reports; works in concert with Accounting Manager.
• As Operations Manager, the Executive Director will ensure that systems are maintained to handle membership data, dues collections, publications, the website, the calendar, holiday arrangements, yahrzeit information, and other materials for the smooth operation of the synagogue,
• As Facilities Manager, the Executive Director oversees synagogue facilities including event scheduling, building maintenance, repair, and renovation, as well as facility and grounds security, working closely with outsourced resources.
• As Strategist, the Executive Director works to establish policies that support the long-term operational health of the congregation including fiscal matters, volunteer development, communication needs, and staffing requirements.
• As Team Leader/Human Resources Manager, the Executive Director oversees all staff members, providing structure, supervision, and support.
• As Governance Leader, the Executive Director ensures that operations are conducted in accordance with the synagogue’s constitution and by-laws. In addition, the Executive Director will facilitate board members’ understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
• As Resource to Board of Directors/Synagogue Committees/Rabbi

  1. The Executive Director acts as ex officio member of the Board of Directors, providing assistance and guidance as required; additionally, acts as liaison to auxiliaries, and standing and ad hoc committees to ensure both coordination and adherence to policies and programming across all groups. The Executive Director will assist members and clergy in life-cycle events and other religious needs of the Congregation, as appropriate. In this capacity, the Executive Director will maintain 24-hour availability for emergencies and deaths.

  2. Face of the Congregation
    The Executive Director fosters a warm and caring environment for congregants, lay leaders, volunteers, staff, potential members and visitors. Beyond the Beth El community, the Executive Director helps to establish cooperative relationships with other area synagogues, community groups, and organizations.
    • As Advocate, the Executive Director develops knowledge of and familiarity with congregants to support the Board of Directors and Committee Chairs and to encourage and expand member involvement
    • As Communicator, the Executive Directors provides oversight to synagogue publications, website, social media tools and other written media in concert with the Communications Manager.
    • As Advisor, the Executive Director appreciates the Jewish values that are foundational to the congregation and works with the clergy to ensure those values are reflected in synagogue operations and programming.
    • As a Membership Enhancer, the Executive Director will encourage prospective members to join the Congregation and will work to retain existing members. In addition, he/she will help integrate new members into the CBE community.
    • The Executive Director will strive to attend most Shabbat services and all major events/programs.
    Qualities:
    A successful candidate will be able to:
    • work collaboratively with members of the congregation, volunteers and staff
    • operate with a high degree of integrity
    • demonstrate excellent interpersonal communications skills
    • show an appreciation for religious tradition generally and Jewish rituals and holidays specifically
    • multi-task
    • maintain flexibility and good sense of humor when unplanned or difficult situations arise
    • use technology to work smarter not harder
    Community Description:

The South Hampton Roads area of Southeastern Virginia includes the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Suffolk. The entire Hampton Roads area is home to 1.79 million people. The area has beautiful waterways, beaches and numerous state and federal parks, which can be enjoyed year-round in a moderate climate. In addition, the area offers numerous cultural attractions including a world-class art museum, an aquarium, a children’s museum, a contemporary art museum, several performing art centers, a symphony and an opera. There are several universities and colleges in the area, including the College of William and Mary and Old Dominion University.
About Congregation Beth El
Congregation Beth El has operated continuously in the Norfolk Virginia area for 172 years since its inception in 1850. The Congregation has approximately 430 families, an active Sisterhood, Men’s Club, and adult education program, as well as a religious school for pre-school through confirmation.
At its heart, Beth El holds a deep conviction that every person who seeks to journey with us is welcome and entitled to full and meaningful participation in Jewish and congregational life. The values of inclusion and social justice are among our core values. We welcome all races, ages, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.

Compensation and Benefits:
Competitive

References:
Required