Executive Director

Position Overview
Reporting to the Senior Rabbi and working closely with the President of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the congregation's chief administrative and strategic partner.

Success in this role is measured not simply by keeping the synagogue running smoothly, but by helping Congregation Shomrei Torah become an increasingly visible, connected, and engaged Jewish community.

The Executive Director will strengthen organizational capacity, expand community relationships, oversee administrative operations, supervise staff, and help build systems that support meaningful lifelong Jewish engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership
Partner with the Senior Rabbi and Board to articulate and execute the congregation's long-term strategic vision.
Translate organizational priorities into measurable initiatives.
Serve as a trusted advisor to clergy and lay leadership.
Help align staff, volunteers, committees, and leadership around shared goals.

Membership Engagement & Leadership Development
Lead the congregation's efforts to create a relationship-centered culture where members build meaningful connections, deepen their engagement with Jewish life, and grow as active participants and leaders within the community by:

Building authentic relationships with current and prospective members.
Designing and implementing a relationship-centered membership engagement strategy.
Create and oversee a relationship-centered member engagement system that tracks individuals throughout their synagogue journey, using personalized touchpoints and data-informed relationship management to deepen connection, foster belonging, and strengthen member recruitment, engagement, and retention.
Partnering with clergy, staff, and volunteer leaders to cultivate the next generation of synagogue leadership.
Supporting committee chairs and volunteer leaders in building collaborative, mission-driven teams that advance the congregation's vision.

Communications & Public Presence
Help ensure CST becomes a well-known and welcoming Jewish home throughout Sonoma County by:

Developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy.
Strengthening storytelling, marketing, and social media.
Clearly communicating the congregation's identity and mission.
Serving as one of the synagogue's public ambassadors within the broader community.

Community Partnerships
Develop meaningful relationships with organizations whose work advances the congregation's mission, including:

Civic organizations
Educational institutions
Social justice organizations
Jewish communal partners
Community leaders and philanthropic organizations

Development & Philanthropy
Support a culture of generosity by:

Cultivating donor relationships.
Identifying and pursuing grant opportunities.
Supporting fundraising campaigns and special initiatives.
Partnering with clergy and volunteer leadership on donor stewardship.
Exploring innovative revenue opportunities aligned with the congregation's mission.

Staff Leadership & Organizational Development
Lead and develop a talented professional team through:

Coaching, mentoring, and regular supervision
Thoughtful onboarding, employee development, and continuous learning opportunities
Performance management and annual review processes
Building a culture where reflection, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement are expected and supported
The Executive Director supervises the Administration and Operations Team (currently five employees) and contracted personnel, including security and catering staff.

Administration & Operations
Provide executive oversight for the synagogue's administrative functions, including:

Financial stewardship and budget management
Facilities and vendor relationships
Human resources
Operational planning
High Holy Days and major congregational events
Life-cycle logistics, including B'nei Mitzvah and funerals
Board and Executive Committee support
Volunteer coordination
Organizational policies and procedures

Qualifications
The strongest candidates will bring:

Four or more years of leadership experience in a nonprofit, synagogue, or other mission-driven organization.
Demonstrated success in leading and developing professional staff.
Experience in fundraising, donor cultivation, grant management, or organizational development.
Strong financial, operational, and organizational management skills.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to build relationships with clergy, staff, volunteers, and lay leaders.
Experience working with volunteer boards and committees.
Understanding of, or enthusiasm for learning about, Reform Jewish life, traditions, and the Jewish calendar.
A collaborative, reflective leader who demonstrates integrity, sound judgment, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning and growth.