Careers at the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism is always looking for smart, talented, committed people who would like to join our team.

Here are some opportunities available now. For more information about the following job openings, please contact careers@uscj.org.

Job Title	Chief Learning Officer
Job Description	Mission Critical: This is a new position that is critical to the mission and vision of USCJ because it creates the strategy and drives the direction for the strengthening and transformation of learning of children and teens of affiliated kehillot. Our goal is to maximize the engagement of children, youth, and their families in high quality Jewish learning experiences from early childhood through adolescence, planting the seeds for a commitment to life-long learning, to Jewish values, and to the practice of Conservative Judaism. The implementation of these learning experiences, within the kehillot or other settings, should be connected to, reinforced, and synergized with day schools, camps and Israel in continuing support of the new paradigm currently under development for Jewish learning under the auspices of the USCJ and its other Conservative Jewish partners. Position Purpose: This position functions as the executive leader of the learning department. Position will develop the learning strategy for USCJ for approval by the CEO and Learning Committee; lead, inspire and motivate department staff; and manage and coordinate the work of the directors of early childhood learning, middle childhood learning, and teen learning . Position will also utilize strong financial, marketing and management skills to create and manage departmental budgets in coordination with the COO. Position will be responsible for convening, collaborating, and creating synergies with other centers of energy of Conservative Judaism to further the goals of strengthening and transforming learning from early childhood through adolescence. Duties and Responsibilities: Provide Strategic Vision: -Provide strategies for current and future growth by suggesting changes or improvements to current plans, policies, and procedures. -Analyze the organization's goals regarding learning and engagement and relevant success factors and methods to overcome potential roadblocks. Provide exceptional leadership: -Must be able to communicate his or her vision in terms that cause direct reports to buy into the vision and strategy of the department. He or she must communicate clearly and passionately. -Give a clear picture of where to go, as well as a firm grasp on what success looks like and how to achieve it. -Be disciplined to work toward his or her vision single-mindedly, and to direct his or her actions and those of the team toward the goal. Prepare the kehillot to be ready to embrace change in how they approach learning and engagement from early childhood through the teen years. -Must be able to listen effectively to the concerns and perspectives of kehillot leaders involved in learning of children and teens. -Must be able to make a convincing case on the need for change, including a commitment to supporting the highest quality experiences possible. -Must be able to communicate the message of a more integrated approach to learning to kehillot. Aid directors of each reporting division to create a more integrated approach to learning for the development stage for which their division is responsible. Fiscal and budgetary accountability: -Accountable for preparing and controlling the department budget. -Responsible for communicating with management on budget issues. -Provide feedback in relation to the department's expenses, revenue contributions, and any potential variances in the budgeted costs. -Identify and cultivate philanthropists and foundations with an interest in USCJ's learning agenda. Forge strategic alliances and activities for those services that can be community-wide or under other auspices that fulfill Conservative Jewish values. Establish and nurture relationships with lay leaders: -Develop an effective working relationship with the chair and members of the Committee on Jewish Learning. - Be available to meet with lay leaders involved with the Committee on Jewish Learning on all committee related matters and to clarify the department's strategies and programs with the committee. -Report to lay leaders on benchmark progress. -Serve as a resource person and troubleshooter for the lay leadership. Knowledge and Skills: Commitment to the religious observance of Conservative Judaism Possess a passion for working with and developing Jewish children of all ages. Must be current on the most important child development, educational, and engagement activities and research. Demonstrated leadership skills. High standards of personal integrity. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within the senior leadership team. Ability to plan, prioritize, organize, and manage a new department. Strong financial planning and budget management skills. Proven grant writing and fundraising skills. Proficiency with current computer applications. Ability to use social marketing technology is a requirement. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Hebrew language and sacred text skills. Ability to work flexible hours, which may include some evening and weekends. Education and Work Experience: A graduate or professional degree in Jewish education or similar field. Track record of innovation and positive change in the education and engagement environment. At least five years of managerial or other senior level experience. Experience in working with or in Kehillot.
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Job Title	Director of Teen Learning
Job Description	Mission Critical: This is a new position that is part of a major redesign of Conservative Jewish learning focusing on how USCJ works to strengthen and transform learning in and among Conservative kehillot. This position creates the strategy and the direction of teen learning and drives the daily program of today’s teens that aligns with the new mission and vision of USCJ. Position Purpose: This position works with and reports to the Chief Learning Officer and leads the teen learning staff and interfaces with the local learning staff. This position will set the strategy, supervise and support the teen learning department to implement all goals as USY transitions to a new and broader framework for supporting all teen engagement in learning in and among Conservative kehillot. The Director will possess leadership and people skills to motivate and energize staff and build the necessary lay leadership support to achieve goals. Duties and Responsibilities: • Help the Kehillot understand today’s teens and assess their capabilities. • Assess the Kehillot's need for information and guidance in understanding the characteristics of today’s teens and the implications for their engagement in learning efforts; this should include: • Ensure dissemination and interpretation of recent research, studies (e.g. the recent study of New York area teens, parents, and youth professionals). • Expose the Kehillot to engagement in learning models that have been successful elsewhere. • The Director will serve as leader, supervisor, and as inspiration for Kadima and USY as they transition to new modalities and responsibilities in support of teen learning in and among kehillot. • Lead USY and Kadima staff in all respects, including through the process of change. • Benchmark changes and structure strategies as we move into a new model of delivery of teen services. • Assist the Kehillot to realistically assess teen engagement in learning so they can determine what they can do effectively and what is best done by or in partnership with others. • Create social experiences by tapping into the networking that takes place among teens, including via technology (e.g. social networking etc.) • Build a cadre of outstanding youth professionals in the department, continentally and locally; • Ensure that youth professionals have strong Judaic knowledge, are authentic, and are able to relate well to and program with teens. • Recruit, train, and support outstanding youth professionals who can provide integrated educational experiences. • Be familiar with and partner with the Davidson School and Fingerhut School tracks, as well as other educational training efforts, in formal and experiential education. • Explore, gain knowledge from, and create potential partnerships with other models such as the Foundation of Jewish Camp, Hillel, NFTY, BBYO and JCCA . • Examine new models of deploying youth professionals. • Balance serving committed youth effectively with providing opportunities to connect the less committed. • Function according to industry best practices and those identified in the Youth Department Strategic Plan of 2011 in the delivery of programming to two population of teens: o A smaller group of significantly more engaged, knowledgeable, and/or observant teens. o A larger group of intermittently or non-engaged teens. • Encourage teens to take advantage of multiple opportunities for engagement and to be with other young people beyond the boundaries of a single institution or movement. • Assist the Kehillot to help their teens have a positive Jewish experience that responds to their interests and needs. • Strengthen the partnership between USY, Ramah, and Schechter schools, both in terms of support for kehillot and at the regional, continental, and international levels, including: • Greater cooperation around the Ramah service corps and integrating Ramah campers into kehillot. • Cross-marketing of programs for teens. • Joint training of youth professionals. • Assist the Chief Learning Officer and work with lay leadership to ensure that the daily practice of the department is focused on the strategic vision that arises out of the Education Consultation of USCJ developed by the Chief Learning Officer, learning committee and this position. • Responsible for the teen learning budget: • Work with Chief Learning Officer and lay leadership in the creation of department budget. • Responsible for the monitoring of the departmental budget and keeping the budget and budget process on track. • Communicate with management on budget issues concerning the department. Knowledge and Skills: • Possess a passion and devotion to teen enrichment, learning and engagement. • Have a clear understanding of today’s teens and how to engage them. • Committed to the observances of Conservative Judaism. • Experience in working with or in Kehillot. • Working knowledge of Hebrew language and sacred texts. • Knowledgeable and proficient in social networking. • Excellent oral and written communication skills. • Competent computer skills. • Demonstrated fundraising and grant writing ability. • Strong strategic planning and implementation abilities. • Outstanding budget and finance skills. • Keep abreast of, and have full knowledge of, all current teen programming on the regional, continental, and international levels. • Ability to work flexible hours, which may include travel and some evening and weekend work. Education and Work Experience: • Graduate degree in education or associated discipline. • Five plus years in Jewish education and teen engagement. • Must have a track record on teen program recruitment.
Salary

Job Title

Executive Assistant to the CEO

Job Description

Mission Critical:
This position is critical to the mission and vision of USCJ as it directly supports the CEO and lay leadership of United Synagogue in their efforts to fulfill the mission of the New United Synagogue.

Position Purpose:
This position works with and assists the CEO and International President, managing the executive suite in the day-to-day and long term functions of its office. This position works as the face and voice of the CEO, and often serves as an interface between the staff and lay leadership of United Synagogue.

The duties of the Executive Assistant to the CEO include but are not limited to the following:

Duties and Responsibilities:

The executive assistant maintains correspondence and communications for the CEO and International President.
- This includes, but may not be limited to, drafting, editing and formatting most e-mails, mails, announcements etc. for the executive suite.
Managing the schedule and balancing the priorities of the CEO and executive offices.
Arranging travel for the CEO, including booking all transportation and lodging.
Maintaining and organizing electronic and physical files and records for executive suite regarding lay leadership, external and internal programming, various kehillot, and fundraising activities.
Discreet handling of confidential information, often of very sensitive information, regarding both organizational planning and employee/personnel information.
Expected to report on some of the financial considerations of the suite as well.
Other tasks as may be assigned from time to time.

Knowledge and Skills:

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Must be able to interact with people in-person, via telephone and e-mail, always representing the CEO and USCJ in a professional and congenial manner.
Strong writing skills are necessary, and the executive assistant must be able to write on behalf of the CEO and International President on a regular basis.
Must be able to effectively communicate with board members and Lay Leaders of the organization.

This position requires knowledge of Jewish culture.
This position requires strong computer skills, and demands ability to work with several different Google applications, proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, and knowledge of database management and upkeep.
Flexible, able to work in a constantly changing work environment, while still remaining focused on required tasks.

Education and Work Experience:

College graduate, or equivalent work experience
Experience in not-for-profit or public sectors

Salary

Job Title

Executive Director / CEO Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center of Conservative Judaism

Job Description

Mission Critical: A visionary, inspirational and charismatic leader who will ensure that the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center for Conservative Judaism is operated and developed in a manner, necessary to support the achievement of the strategic mission of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (“USCJ”) and the goals and mission of the Fuchsberg Center Strategic Report.

Position Purpose:

The Executive Director / CEO is responsible for:

a) Leading the creative, strategic and fundraising activities, directions and planning for the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center for Conservative Judaism. Allowing the Center to grow and fulfill its mission under the “The Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center Strategic Report” supporting, through its activities in Israel, the mission, vision and strategic goals of USCJ.

b) Overseeing and leading the Chief Operating Officer of the Center in the administration quality, creativity and management of the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center staff, programs and services.

c) Implementing, in close coordination with USCJ’s CEO, COO, and its Board Chair, the Strategic Report’s short and long term strategies and goals, so as to make the vision of the Strategic Report a reality within five years.

d) Developing and managing relationships with all internal and external stakeholders critical to the achievement of the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center Strategic Report, the long term growth and security of the Center, and the leadership of the Center as a powerful and respected voice for Conservative Judaism in Israel and around the world.

This position reports directly to the CEO of USCJ, works closely with the COO of USCJ, and serves as the most senior executive in the Center.

The duties of the Executive Director / CEO shall include, but shall not be limited to the following:

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the strategic and fundraising functions of the Fuchsberg Center and all expense, operations, capital and facility aspects of the Center. Total responsibility for the fundraising planning and implementation, including identifying resource requirements, researching funding sources, establishing strategies to approach funders, submitting proposals and administrating fundraising records and documentation. Ensures that the budget for the Center does not need operating, debt service or capital support from USCJ within the next 3-5 years.

• Primary responsibility for all day to day management, for project implementation to include directing, planning and execution; and providing oversight to all staff, ensuring progress toward the Center’s goals and objectives.

• Ensures the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center organization and its mission, programs, and services are consistently presented in a strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders.

• Create and implement a Business and Financial Resource Development Plan, supporting the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center Strategic Report goals. Assume responsibility for Board development focusing on elements of the USCJ mission where the Center can make an important difference. This will include, but not be limited to, engaging the next generation of Kehilla leadership, playing a vital role in an integrated education system and offering programs, which meaningfully assist in the strengthening of kehillot in North America.

• Utilize and/or develop the human and financial resources, the programs, and the collaborative and organizational initiatives, to achieve the goals outlined in the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center Strategic Report by creating an environment which sustains a mufti-purpose campus.

• Subject to resources and capacity, establish effective partnerships with relevant and important centers and groups identified with Conservative Judaism in Israel, North America and around the world.

• Provide an open and genuine presence at the Center including a regular presence on Shabbat.

• Develop relationships with the Israel government, its representatives and institutions to maximize the interests of the USCJ, its constituencies with those individuals and institutions, including the Jewish Agency and WZO.

• Travel as needed for fundraising, stakeholder development and other purposes.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Clear understanding of Conservative Judaism and its religious responsibilities. A clear grasp of Jewish institutional organizations and priorities in Israel, North America and around the world.

• Proven track record of leading annual and capital fundraising campaigns, and the existence of relationships with possible donors in the United States and elsewhere to the Center.

• A working knowledge of the Hebrew language and an intimate and current knowledge of Israeli culture and society.

• Ability to think in a innovative fashion, strategically and anticipate future consequences and incorporate them into the organizational plan, budgets and the Strategic Report.

• A collaborative, open and innovative leadership style well suited to managing in a complex setting, including multiple stakeholders and departments.

• Ability to effectively build organization and staff capacity, as well as performing workforce analysis, metrics and evaluation measures, important for the efficient organization of the Center.

• Excellent and proficient communication and interpersonal skills, together with the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues throughout USCJ, lay leadership, organizations, and individuals across Conservative Judaism in North America Israel and around the world.

• Demonstrably strong writing, planning and organizational skills.

• Flexibility and initiative, as well as the ability to work independently, combined with the skills for thriving in a team environment.

• Strong time management skills and ability to organize prioritize and complete multiple tasks simultaneously, with close attention to detail and to meeting deadlines.

• Ability to travel as needed for fundraising, stakeholder development and other purposes.

Education and Work Experience:

The ideal candidate will be an ordained rabbi or PhD. At a minimum candidate should hold a graduate degree in a related field of study, ten (10) plus years senior management experience, significant knowledge of Jewish non-profit institutions, or any equivalent combination of experience and training, that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

Senior level skills and experience in program development are essential. Fundraising and leadership within a large, complex multi-national non-profit is crucial. Must have a demonstrated track record of successfully partnering with multiple, geographically-dispersed stakeholders, with diverse needs and priorities to increase and diversify the Fuchsberg Center’s philanthropic and development resources.

Salary