Director, Synagogue Strategy

Position Summary:

UJA is seeking a dynamic self-starter who is passionate about synagogues and Jewish spiritual communities as centers of inspiration, community, and care. This role requires a strategic thinker and proactive doer; someone who will enthusiastically build substantial relationships with clergy, administrators, lay leaders, and movement leadership to ensure that UJA Federation of NY is a meaningful partner in building sacred communities.

There are close to 600 synagogues and spiritual communities across the UJA-Federation of New York catchment area. They serve diverse communities and have a wide variety of challenges and strengths. Working closely with local clergy and organizations, as well as with the national movements, seminaries, and rabbinic training programs, the Synagogue Strategy Director will identify and develop strategies, appropriate to UJA, that meet the needs of area synagogues, encourage growth and innovation and support the advancement of Jewish Life and UJA priorities. Given the size and scope of the enterprise, this will necessarily involve leveraging wisdom and best practice from partner organizations and consideration of the use of diversified revenue sources, including philanthropic dollars.

The Synagogue Strategy Director will actively coordinate and communicate with professional teams throughout UJA, especially colleagues in the Jewish Life department, the Community Mobilizers department and relevant financial resource development departments. This professional serves as UJA’s representative to local and national tables and should be comfortable leading and learning in these environments. On a day-to-day basis, this position requires facility with creating positive and productive professional and lay relationships.

Major Responsibilities:

• Play a leading role in setting strategic direction for UJA’s synagogue strategy and executing on strategy through learning, convening and grant making.
• Continuously assess and monitor trends and opportunities by maintaining ongoing communication with:
  • local synagogues, spiritual communities and minyanim
  • broader Jewish educational and engagement field
  • UJA colleagues including community mobilizers, planners and financial resource development professionals
  • community-based organizations
  • local and national synagogue organizations including local boards of rabbis, religious movement and seminary leadership.
• Nurture strategic partnerships with adjacent organizations working with synagogues, locally and nationally.
• Provide sector specific expertise to professional and lay colleagues.
• Oversee all related grant making including sector specific pilot projects and ongoing initiatives.
• Manage lay partners and take a lead role in the preparation and management of the Special Initiatives Committee.
• Represent the synagogue field within the Jewish Life department - attend committee meetings where expertise on the synagogue landscape is an asset; participate in Jewish Cabinet meetings; participate in Jewish Life team meetings and retreats; take on additional department roles as needed.
• Convene an ad-hoc a cross-departmental synagogue strategy planning team as needed with relevant staff members to share ongoing work and discuss evolving priority areas and participate in relevant cross-committee and cross-department strategic thinking and initiative planning groups.

Qualifications and Competencies:

• Master’s degree or advanced degree in related field preferred.
• 7 - 10 years of related experience in non-profit sector.
• 7- 10 years of related practical planning and management experience in the field preferred.
• Able to quickly gain a sense of the landscape and roles of relevant partners in order to identify unique roles for UJA Federation to play and add value.
• Curious learner who builds field expertise through reading relevant materials, meeting lay and professional partners and potential partners and attending events.
• Eloquent spokesperson in the community on behalf of UJA’s synagogue strategies and priorities.
• Ability to think strategically and systemically about issues and how they relate to synagogues and spiritual communities.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to juggle and manage multiple projects.
• Open to occasional travel throughout the five boroughs, Westchester, and Long Island.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the mission of UJA Federation, the Jewish not- for-profit sector, and synagogues and spiritual communities.
• Excellent planning, writing, and presentation skills
• Proficiency with the full suite of Microsoft 365 tools, including Co-Pilot, Salesforce and other AI tools.

Salary Information:

The salary range for this role is $110,000 - $130,000; commensurate with experience and qualifications listed above.

This role reports to the Deputy Director, Jewish Life Department.

Great Perks. Because We Appreciate Great Employees.

TIME OFF

We offer a generous number of vacation days and have the Jewish holidays off as well. Fridays our offices close early (October to March at 3:00 pm and April to September at 4:00 pm). All so you can relax and recharge.

HYBRID MODEL

We’re operating on a hybrid work model: three set days in the office and two days remote. So enjoy the best of both worlds — the comforts of home and the energy of the office.

HEALTH CARE

UJA provides a top-tier medical and dental plan, along with a flexible spending account. We also offer life insurance. And for a small cost you can take part in on-site yoga and exercise classes at our Manhattan office. Wellness matters to us.

PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT

UJA employees can enroll in a pension plan and tax deferred annuity.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Classes, workshops, and compelling speakers will keep you at the top of your game.

COMMUNITY

We come together as a staff to commemorate holidays (from Rosh Hashanah to MLK Day), volunteer at nonprofits, and celebrate our accomplishments together. (Our chocolate chip cookies are legendary!)