Chief Executive Officer - Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County - (Irvine)

Location and Job Title:

Chief Executive Officer - Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County -
Merage JCC of Orange County
One Federation Way
Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92603

Principal Responsibilities:

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Chief Executive Officer of the Merage Jewish Community Center serves as a dynamic, transformational, and participative leader dedicated to advancing the Center's mission of strengthening Jewish life and fostering a vibrant, inclusive community. This role demands the ability to inspire and maintain a high-performing management team, while projecting credibility and trust within the broader community and among major donors.

As the public face of the JCC, the CEO communicates a compelling vision and ensures its alignment with strategic goals, representing a positive brand image in the marketplace and community. They actively engage and guide the Board Chair and Board of Directors, supporting the recruitment, development, and training of board members.

With a strong commitment to ethical leadership, transparency, and integrity, the CEO effectively manages resources, both human and physical, and cultivates collaborative relationships with Jewish and non-Jewish organizations alike, modeling the values and work ethic that define the Center's culture.

Minimum Qualifications:

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

1. Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to the Merage JCC mission and actively contribute to building and strengthening the Jewish community.
• Ensure the development and communication of a compelling Vision Statement; serve as the primary spokesperson and public face of the Merage JCC.
• Represent the Merage JCC in the broader community, projecting credibility and fostering trust with stakeholders and donors.
• Maintain a strong commitment to Judaism and Israel as foundational values of the organization, including cultivating global partnerships that integrate international perspectives into programming and foster meaningful cultural exchange.

2. Board Engagement & Governance

• Involve and guide the Board Chair and Board of Directors in strategic planning and governance.
• Assist in the identification, recruitment, training, and retention of Board Members and volunteers.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and the Board to set measurable goals and evaluate progress.
• Maintain open and consistent communication with the Board Chair and Directors to ensure alignment and accountability, providing timely updates, actionable insights, and recommendations.

3. Organizational Management & Staff Development

• Recruit, hire, supervise, and, when necessary, terminate key staff positions.
• Maintain and motivate a management team of high-quality professionals, fostering a culture of professional growth through tailored training programs, mentorship, and identification of leadership potential.
• Provide and encourage professional development opportunities for staff, including leadership development initiatives to prepare future organizational leaders.
• Lead by example in work ethic, integrity, and transparency, serving as a role model for staff and board members.

4. Operational Oversight

• Ensure effective execution and oversight of the following key operational areas (prioritized in order of strategic emphasis):
• Fundraising & Event Management: Lead donor identification, cultivation, and solicitation efforts; oversee successful fundraising events and capital campaigns, including securing major gifts and supporting access to programs such as early childhood education and day camps.
• Finance & Controls: Ensure sound financial practices, budget preparation (including oversight of multi-million-dollar operating budgets), and human resources management.
• Programming: Support 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.
• Membership Enrollment & Marketing: Drive growth and engagement through outreach, branding, CRM upgrades, digital enhancements, and innovative member retention strategies.
• Security & Risk Management: Maintain a safe environment through partnerships with law enforcement, proactive risk mitigation, and crisis response planning; address challenges such as antisemitism.
• Facilities Management: Oversee the maintenance, strategic use, and capital improvements of physical resources, including state-of-the-art campuses and execution of projects like outdoor spaces, childcare centers, and technology modernizations.

5. Planning, Development, and Growth

• Develop and implement long-term strategic plans aligned with the mission and vision of the Merage JCC, including 10-year capital equipment plans and recovery strategies for organizational resilience.
• Identify emerging community needs and trends to guide program innovation and expansion.
• Promote leadership development and succession planning within the organization.
• Ensure financial planning aligns with strategic priorities and sustainability goals, navigating challenges such as pandemics or economic disruptions.

6. Community Relations

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with other Jewish and non-Jewish agencies and organizations, including government entities and global Jewish partners.
• Project credibility and build trust within the community-at-large and among major donors, serving as an advocate for Jewish continuity.

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Other specific results will be assigned and measured.

• 10+ Years of Executive Leadership Experience : Proven success in leading complex Jewish nonprofit or communal organizations, with direct experience managing camp operations, preschool/early childhood education centers, fitness/sports programs, and large-scale facilities (e.g., 100,000+ sq. ft. campuses with $10M+ budgets). Ability to motivate, take initiative, work independently, and drive transformational growth.
• Strategic Planning & Vision : Demonstrated ability to develop and implement long-term strategic plans aligned with mission-driven goals, including crisis leadership (e.g., post-COVID recovery) and organizational modernization.
• Fundraising Expertise : Proven track record in donor cultivation, solicitation, leading capital campaigns, and securing major gifts (e.g., seven-figure non-capital donations); experience championing strategies for program accessibility.
• Financial & Operational Management : Strong skills in budgeting, financial oversight, human resources, facilities/capital project administration, and operational efficiency (e.g., cost reductions and technology upgrades).
• Board Relations : Ability to work collaboratively with a Board of Directors, including recruitment, training, governance support, and enhancing involvement through committees.
• Commitment to Judaism and Israel : Deep personal and professional connection 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 Engagement : Ability to represent the organization in the Jewish and broader community with credibility, warmth, and advocacy; experience leading delegations (e.g., JCC Maccabi Games) and building intergenerational connections.
• Cultural Sensitivity : Understanding of diverse Jewish identities and practices, fostering an inclusive environment. Standard of Excellence: Commitment to high performance, continuous improvement, and organizational excellence.
• Transparency & Integrity : Strong ethical standards and openness in communication and decision-making.
• Staff Development : Dedication to professional growth and development for staff at all levels, including creating leadership teams and mentorship programs.
• Communication Skills : Open and effective communication with the Board Chair, Directors, staff, and community stakeholders; expertise in marketing, digital outreach, and public relations.
• Role Modeling : Ability to lead by example, demonstrating integrity, professionalism, and respect.
• Team Leadership : Experience recruiting, hiring, supervising, and when necessary terminating key staff positions; building collaborative, empowered teams.
• Organizational Culture : Ability to foster a positive, mission-driven workplace culture that reflects the values of the Merage JCC, with a track record of innovation in member engagement and program delivery.

Please answer the following pre-qualifying questions when applying:

1. Identify three strategic challenges your current agency/company will face in the next two years and indicate what you are doing to help meet these challenges.
2. What do you see as your role, both professionally and personally, in helping a JCC fulfill its Jewish mission and build Jewish community? How have you done this?
3. What have you done in the past three years to assist your volunteer leadership in reaching their potential as effective decision-makers?

EDUCATION (Preferred)

• Advanced degree in Jewish Professional Studies, Nonprofit Management, or related field.
• Bachelor's degree in psychology, Business, or equivalent.

CERTIFICATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS (Preferred)

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