Executive Director - Temple Beth El, Portland ME - Full Time/Hybrid

Temple Beth El (TBE) in Portland, ME is seeking a skilled, committed and creative individual with a passion for serving a mission-driven organization to fill the critical role of Executive Director (ED).  This is a full-time exempt position with the option to be hybrid between on-site and virtual presence, as appropriate.

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 1947, TBE is the major regional center of Conservative Judaism north of Boston. It is the largest Conservative Jewish congregation in Maine with a membership of over 300 families. TBE encompasses the synagogue, a religious school (Kadima Beth El or KBE), a community cemetery, and relationships with various partners and building tenants including the Levey Day School and the Orthodox congregation Shaarey Tphiloh. The synagogue owns and operates within a 21,000 square foot building built in 1948 and extensively updated in recent years. It is staffed by approximately 7 FTEs that includes a full-time Rabbi, Executive Director (ED), an Events/Operations Manager, an Office and Communications Manager, and part-time educators, custodial staff, and others, plus an outsourced bookkeeping service that handles day-to-day financial operations and reporting.  The dedicated secular staff provides outstanding day-to-day operational support for the ED.

Temple Beth El‘s mission is to be an embracing, supportive and vibrant community which observes Conservative Judaism and is committed to perpetuating Jewish values, culture, and tradition. Temple Beth El honors the diversity of its members and is committed to their spiritual, intellectual, and religious growth.

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are excited to identify an experienced and collaborative leader who can serve a multi-constituency congregation; organize, inspire and motivate staff; foster a culture of respect and inclusivity; grow community partnerships and continue the tradition of outstanding professionalism necessary for success in this role. In this exciting role the ED will manage an already dynamic organization while playing a pivotal role in shaping its future as it transitions from our retiring Rabbi to a new spiritual leader. This individual will partner with the TBE Board of Directors to further evolve sound organizational operating and financial principles for long-term sustainability. 

The right Executive Director candidate must develop a solid understanding of synagogue life; demonstrate experience in managing staff, operations, and finances; nurture both internal and external relationships for TBE; and possess the temperament to interface effectively across diverse generations, perspectives and traditions. They will project a genuine interest/passion for supporting Jewish life and community. TBE’s next ED must effectively model “best practice” principles in guiding the synagogue through inevitable changes in the environment so that it may continue to thrive. 

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Synagogue Administration and Operations: 

• Developing and implementing policies, practices and systems that ensure smooth daily synagogue operations and member relationships 
• Collaborating and meeting regularly with Rabbi, staff and volunteers to ensure excellent operational support for programmatic, educational and religious activities
• Collaborating and meeting regularly with BOD leadership to provide and receive support on major issues 
• Ensuring smooth facility operation 
• Overseeing event planning and operations 
• Developing and executing member recruitment and retention strategies
• Facilitating short- and long-term planning activities

Staff/Human Resources/Building: 

• Hiring and managing performance of TBE’s employed and contracted staff, vendors, contractors and volunteers
• Overseeing facility and security staff and vendors who, in turn, ensure continuous facility maintenance, security and safety, and repair and improvement 

Finance and Development

• Primary administrative interface between TBE Board/Treasurer and contracted bookkeeping services, maintaining a working knowledge of TBE’s financial reporting, payables and receivables systems
• Managing day-to-day budgeted spending and resource allocation decisions to maintain a sound fiscal environment
• Generating fundraising options for presentation to the Board to meet development goals of the organization
• Developing and facilitating relationships with donors in partnership with the Board and volunteers

Marketing, Communications and Community

• Developing and implementing a multi-channel internal and external brand and communication strategy, including social media
• Representing TBE at community events 
• Sustaining and growing relationships and partnerships with community organizations within and outside of the Jewish world

CANDIDATES

The right Executive Director candidate must develop a solid understanding of synagogue life; demonstrate experience in managing staff, operations, finances; nurture both internal and external relationships for TBE; and possess the temperament to interface effectively across diverse generations, perspectives and traditions. They will project a genuine interest/passion for supporting Jewish life and community. TBE’s next ED must effectively model “best practice” principles in guiding the synagogue through inevitable changes in the environment so that it may continue to thrive. 

Successful candidates will preferably be college-educated with an additional management degree or certificate but will be seriously considered if equivalent skills and experience can be demonstrated. Ideally this individual will have a minimum of 5 years of relevant administrative leadership experience. They will have the quantitative and analytical skills to support sound decision making as well as strong technology skills, social media savvy, and the ability to communicate clearly in writing and in person.

Interested individuals should submit a current resume and cover letter. We also welcome and appreciate confidential referrals of potential candidates through our web capture tool or by using the email below. All contact with TBE will remain confidential.

For additional details about this position, please request a full position profile by emailing  EDsearch@tbemaine.org.