Chief Executive Officer

Merage JCC Chief Executive Officer

For more than two decades, the Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County (Merage JCC) has been a cornerstone of Jewish life, culture, health, and education in Irvine and throughout Orange County. Located on the state-of-the-art Samueli Jewish Campus, the Merage JCC is widely recognized as a flagship organization within the North American JCC movement.

Merage JCC seeks an inspiring, strategic, and entrepreneurial Chief Executive Officer to lead a thriving, membership-based organization into its next era of impact and growth. Reporting to the Chair of the Board and accountable to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, the CEO will lead an organization with an $18 million operating budget and more than 250 staff members, including C-suite leadership team. The successful candidate will bring demonstrated executive leadership experience, exceptional financial and business acumen, a strong track record of fundraising and resource development, and a deep commitment to contemporary Jewish life.

The CEO will lead a complex, multifaceted organization with significant programmatic and physical assets, balancing mission, community impact, financial sustainability, membership growth, and operating excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Articulate and communicate a compelling vision for the Merage JCC and serve as its principal spokesperson and ambassador.
• Partner effectively with the Board Chair, Board of Directors, and committees on governance, strategic planning, and organizational priorities.
• Recruit, hire, supervise, and when necessary, terminate key staff positions.
• Foster a culture of professional growth, leadership development, accountability, and succession planning.
• Partner with the CFO to ensure sound financial practices, budget preparation (including oversight of multi-million-dollar operating budgets), and human resources management.
• Supports diverse, inclusive, and mission-aligned programs, including camp operations, preschool/early childhood education, Jewish life initiatives, fitness, sports, and community enrichment rooted in Jewish values.
• Partner with CPO to drive growth and engagement through outreach, branding CRM upgrades, digital enhancements, and innovative member retention strategies.
• Partner with COO to maintain a safe environment through partnerships with law enforcement, proactive risk mitigation, crisis response planning; and oversee the maintenance, strategic use, and capital improvements of physical resources.
• Oversee the development and implementation of long-term strategic plans, including capital and organizational resilience planning.
• Ensure the continued strength and innovation of programs spanning early childhood, youth and camp, Jewish life, fitness and sports, arts and culture, senior services, and community enrichment.
• Identify emerging community needs and opportunities to translate them into strategic program and business initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with Jewish and broad community organizations, government entities, philanthropic partners, and global Jewish institutions.

Qualifications:

• Executive Leadership: 8+ years of proven success leading complex nonprofit or communal organizations, with direct experience managing multiple programmatic business lines and large-scale facilities.
• Strategic & Business Acumen: Demonstrated success developing and executing long-term strategy across multiple programs, business lines, and/or large-scale facilities.
• Financial Leadership: Strong experience overseeing significant operating budgets, financial performance, resource allocation, and organizational sustainability.
• Fundraising: A successful track record of major-gift fundraising, donor cultivation, capital campaigns, and philanthropic relationship development.
• Board Relations: Experience partnering effectively with a Board of Directors and volunteer leadership on governance, strategy, and organizational development.
• Connection to Judaism and Israel: Personal and/or professional connections to Jewish values, traditions, diversity of Jewish identities, customs, celebrations, and the State of Israel; passion for Jewish continuity, global partnerships, and addressing antisemitism.
• Community Leadership: Ability to represent the organization in the Jewish and broader community with credibility, warmth, and advocacy.
• Transparency & Integrity: Strong ethical standards and openness in communication and decision-making.
• People Leadership: Experience recruiting, developing, motivating, and retaining talent professionals; building collaborative, empowered teams; and fostering professional development, mentorship, and succession planning.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and public-facing communication skills, with an understanding of marketing, digital engagement, and public relations.
• Organizational Culture: Ability to foster a positive, mission-driven organizational culture, with a track record of innovation in member engagement, program delivery, and responsiveness to changing community needs.
• Operational Excellence: Experience overseeing complex operations, facilities, human resources, risk management, and organizational infrastructure.
• Education: Advanced degree in Jewish Professional Studies, nonprofit management, business, or a related field preferred.