Executive Director

Temple Emanu-El 

Oak Park, MI

Temple Emanu-El was founded in 1952 to meet the growing needs of the Jewish community in Oak Park, Huntington Woods and other (then) northern suburbs of Detroit. Called the Suburban Temple of Greater Detroit, it held its first service for its 100 families on January 18, 1952. Within its first year, the congregation grew to almost 300 families. Our membership continues to include founding members, as well as their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Temple Emanu-El is an open, welcoming, inclusive congregation that strives to be a presence in your Jewish journey, wherever you are. We believe in the importance of three of the pillars of Judaism, Torah (study), Avodah (worship), and G’milut Chasadim (acts of lovingkindness). We are committed to Tikkun Olam (repairing our world).

We are a family of families – we work to help all feel included and valued in our community. Through our Early Childhood Community (ECC), and Yachad religious school (Kindergarten – High School), we offer opportunities to educate children in a welcoming setting.

Overview of the Position:

The Temple Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day management of Temple. The Executive Director works very closely with the Clergy, President, ECC Director and Yachad Director, and other officers, all of whom must maintain a warm, caring, and supportive relationship with our congregants, employees, officers, and volunteers. The Executive Director and his/her office staff create the first impression for prospective new members and visitors.

Areas of responsibilities include:

Human Resources Management: Hires, supervises, trains, motivates and evaluates staff, in coordination with clergy and lay leadership. Develops and maintains employee documentation, including operating procedures, Employee Handbook, job descriptions, the Board manual and minutes, and synagogue organizational chart. Utilizes best practices and applicable laws in workplace leadership and management to create a culture of excellence. Works with staff to set clear goals and supports staff development. Encourages team building by facilitating open communication and positive working relationships. Ensures compliance with current federal and state labor laws as it relates to synagogue operations. Promotes a positive strength-based work culture of teamwork, diversity, collaboration, open communication, and overall respect. Provides annual reviews of staff that he/she supervise.

1. Fiscal Management: Implements the Board’s policies for the allocation and distribution of resources. Develops annual budget in consultation with Finance and appropriate standing committees, clergy, staff, and board. Oversees financial systems including payroll, benefits, taxes, budgeting, purchasing, contracting, insurance, and financial resources (with appropriate lay committees).

2. Development: Takes active role in coordination and support of fundraising efforts. Staffs the donor solicitation efforts of lay leadership. Coordinates and oversees expanded fundraising efforts and individual donor cultivation in collaboration with lay leaders. Responsible for seeking out grant opportunities and preparing grants or managing others who do so.

3. Membership Recruitment, Engagement and Retention: Works with Temple staff and lay leadership to plan and implement membership outreach, engagement, and retention, including spiritual, social, and educational programming. Seeks to understand and address member interests and needs, advises staff and/or lay leaders of specific membership needs. Responsive to member concerns and satisfaction. Serves as first contact for prospective member inquiries. Maintains membership database for accurate membership records. Works directly with the Member Engagement Committee to create and maintain a robust system for recruitment, engagement, and retention of membership.

7. Communications, Marketing, and Outreach: Directs Temple communications efforts including website, social media, electronic and print media, utilizing a strategic communications strategy. Oversees calendar systems to communicate programming for all Temple news and events. Promotes community awareness of Temple’s strengths, mission, vision, and legacy. Participates in networking and community activities on behalf of Temple. Builds strong working relationships with community, regional and national groups, and organizations.

8. Facilities Management: Supervises facility operations and building usage scheduling, building maintenance and repair, computer systems, rental relations, and security. Oversees the use of kitchen, including caterer coordination. Works in coordination with the lay leadership and other relevant committees. Manages basic contracts, vendor relationships, and risk management including insurance.

9. Program Management: Assists Board and clergy in the development of programs and services. Facilitates and oversees program staff and lay leaders in the conduct of research, planning, development, implementation and evaluation of programs and services. Ensures that program-ming and services meet policy guidelines and reflect synagogue priorities as determined by the Board, Clergy, and lay leadership.

Qualifications: The successful candidate will be a dynamic and experienced manager who is interested in assuming a key leadership role in supporting our vibrant and welcoming congregation.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Significant financial management, budgeting and reporting, and internal controls skills.
• Appropriate computer skills such as Excel and digital communications as well as payment tools or organizational management software (such as QuickBooks, ShulCloud).
• Knowledge of marketing and communications, including website, social media, and virtual engagement.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships with diverse constituencies.
• Ability to think strategically considering topics of importance to today's world and to the future.
• Ability to prioritize, make sound decisions quickly and appropriately on a wide variety of issues and tasks.
• Familiarity with Jewish ritual, holiday, and life-cycle traditions.
• Strong written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed to attend synagogue meetings and events.
• Ability and desire serve as an active and positive Temple ambassador within the wider community.
• Positive attitude, approachable, functions with clarity, transparency, and integrity.

Benefits:

• The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $100,000. 
• Comprehensive benefit program including paid sick/vacation time, medical insurance, retirement plans.
• Temple membership and Yachad religious school tuition.
• Professional dues, funding for conference attendances, congregational membership.

How to Apply: Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to the Executive Director Search Committee at Workforus@emanuel-mich.org.