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.

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Include the following key areas and duties, which may be modified or increased as necessary:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, submit with resume:

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

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?

What have you done in the past three years to assist your volunteer leadership in reaching

their potential as effective decision-makers?

What experience do you have working with Jewish communities, or what knowledge do you bring

related to Jewish cultural practices?”

EDUCATION (Preferred)

Advanced degree in Jewish Professional Studies, Nonprofit Management, or related field.
MBA and/or bachelor's degree in psychology, Business, or equivalent.

CERTIFICATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS (Preferred)

Certifications in Jewish education, leadership, or related field.
Active involvement in Jewish communal boards, committees, or initiatives.

PLEASE APPLY VIA HR@JCCOC.ORG. PLEASE ENSURE TO ATTACH A COVER LETTER WITH THE PRE- QUALIFYING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, AND A RESUME.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate based on any protected characteristic

under federal, state, or local law. *

Salary

$250000-$300000 annually

About JCC:

We invite you to connect with community and friends at the Merage JCC. Our extraordinary facility, with its breathtaking views, includes a health and fitness complex, preschool and toddler care, teen center, gymnasium with two full-sized basketball courts, swimming pool, senior center, adult education rooms, a professional-style theater and auditorium with banquet facilities, kosher cafe and Holocaust memorial garden. Our programs and services celebrate family, foster health and well-being, embrace tradition, create friendships, and expand cultural horizons all in a safe, positive, friendly and inviting environment.

Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County jobs

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