ALEPH, the international umbrella organization for Jewish Renewal, seeks a full-time executive director to help lead Jewish Renewal’s next phase of evolution.
ALEPH is a growing, dynamic and innovative organization that weaves textual and wisdom traditions, Judaism’s progressive momentum, and the unique spiritual and developmental needs of 21st century life. Drawing inspiration from the life and work of Zalman Schachter-Shalomi zt”l, as well as other transformational figures in Jewish life, ALEPH seeks an impassioned executive director to build on their legacy.
After over a dozen years of part-time executive director stewardship, ALEPH’s growth trajectory has made clear that ALEPH requires the services of a full-time executive director. ALEPH’s current part-time executive director is unable make a full-time commitment to ALEPH but will serve through the first month of the next executive director’s tenure.
The successful applicant will balance dynamic vision with practical management skills. Able to lead, inspire, empower and cultivate team creativity, he or she will collaborate with a professional operations team, project directors, institutional stakeholders and the Board of Directors. The executive director will strengthen ALEPH’s relationships among current and future allies (both within and beyond Jewish Renewal); facilitate major fundraising; and support ALEPH’s array of major projects (e.g. clergy ordination program, transformational experience programs and retreats, distance learning, Kallah and other large-scale events, congregational services, publishing, Israel and European learning experiences, online sales).
QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must have high emotional intelligence, strong people skills and 10 years of experience in a fast-paced problem-solving organizational context. The ideal candidate will demonstrate capacity and/or substantial growth potential in:
- organizational leadership and strategic change agency;
- fundraising and development;
- human resource management;
- creating transformational experiences;
- project management; and
- media and marketing (e.g. social networking, message targeting, branding);
Effective written and oral communication skills, and proven abilities to work independently, meet deadlines, manage budgets and serve multiple stakeholders, all are essential. The next executive director will demonstrate these capabilities while serving as an authentic spiritual presence representing ALEPH and Jewish Renewal.
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES
Typical duties of the executive director include:
Vision & Strategic Planning. Work with Board of Directors and broad array of ALEPH stakeholders to refine and implement long-term organizational vision, and strategic plan for leaning forward into the next phase of Jewish Renewal.
Fundraising & Development. Lead major-donor relations and solicitations; supervise timely grant identification, application and administration; cultivate other individual and institutional donors; expand organizational capacity for staffing and programming; implement consistent program and communication strategies.
Human Resource Management. Inspire, support and supervise staff and project managers to develop human potential, cultivate collaboration and optimize team performance consistent with both operational and spiritual objectives.
Project Management. Supervise cost-effective implementation of current and future programs especially educational offerings, residential retreats and major ALEPH gatherings; provide project leaders time-limited support as necessary.
Community & Public Relations. Build ALEPH’s brand and effective visibility in print and online media; promote effective communication and collaboration among Jewish Renewal’s current and future stakeholders (organizations, teachers, spiritual leaders, Renewal communities, ALEPH retreatants, ordination students and alumni, denominational affiliates, etc.); coordinate and guide Jewish spiritual communities currently and potentially connected to Renewal; represent and promote ALEPH across the Jewish world and in interfaith and deep ecumenism contexts.
Board Support & Governance. Serve as liaison between Board of Directors, ALEPH staff and projects; draft agendas and provide supporting materials for Board meetings in consultation with Board executive leadership; maintain regular and open dialogue with Board executive leadership and standing committee chairs on significant issues; report monthly to Board and project directors.
WORK LOCATION
Telecommuting (even long-distance) is a viable and preferred option for candidates demonstrating effective technological capacity and time-management skills. Travel is required to conferences, events and semi-annual live Board meetings. Occasional travel is expected to ALEPH’s main office in Philadelphia and satellite office outside Denver, and to select spiritual communities connected with Jewish Renewal.
HOURS AND SCHEDULE
This is a full-time position requiring flexibility and also allowing flexibility. With Board approval and consistent with ALEPH’s evolving program and administrative needs, the executive director is welcome to work flextime schedules. ALEPH honors family life, personal spiritual practice and the Jewish calendar.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Compensation is commensurate with experience and competitive in the non-profit sector, with substantial upside potential based on organizational growth. Benefits include vacation time, sick/wellness time, and health insurance.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
As a spiritual organization committed to fulfilling the values of Jewish Renewal, ALEPH invites inquiries and applications from all qualified persons. ALEPH does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, sexual identity, nationality, marital status, or military or veteran status.
APPLICATION, REVIEW PROCESS & TIMETABLE
Before applying, prospective applicants should review ALEPH’s websites (aleph.org and this website, KolAleph.org), historical record and Statement of Principles. Applicants are expected to align with and enthusiastically support ALEPH’s values, vision, mission and potential trajectory.
Please send a cover letter, statement of intent, complete resume, three references, salary requirements and any questions to Rabbi Jeremy Parnes, Chair of the ALEPH Board of Directors, at BoardChair@aleph.org. No phone calls, please. Closing date for first round of applications is September 22, 2014.
Top candidates will be asked to submit written responses to a short list of screening questions before interviews. ALEPH anticipates interviews in early autumn 2014, and intends for the next executive director to begin service in early January 2015.
Solicitation open until position filled.
Kol ALEPH 