EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – LONDON JEWISH FEDERATION

The Opportunity

Jewish London has an exceptional opportunity for a passionate, visionary executive with strong community building, fundraising and strategic management skills to lead a small but dynamic Jewish community. Jewish London is seeking an Executive Director who will build on its strengths and help shape its vision for the future. The successful candidate will have a proven ability to attract and nurture donors, support other aspects of community leadership, and be able to work with a broad array of volunteers and agencies towards the goal of enhancing London’s Jewish community for today and for the future.

The Executive Director is the key professional staff who will oversee operations and provide leadership and vision for Jewish London, which includes the London Jewish Community Centre (“JCC”), London Jewish Community Village (“Village”) and United Jewish Appeal (“UJA”). Working with staff and the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will enhance London’s Jewish community, lead or participate in all Jewish London strategic planning, and ensure and maintain the availability of funds for Jewish London’s operations through the annual UJA campaign, fundraising events, grants, major gifts, endowments, and planned giving. The Executive Director will also be a key conduit with other stakeholders within our Jewish community including the London Jewish Community Foundation, Hillel Western, Chabad, our community’s synagogues, and various national organizations.

The Community

With a Jewish population of approximately 3,500 and a deeply committed and engaged volunteer base, London is a regional centre in Southwestern Ontario that offers its residents and visitors big-city appeal mixed with small-town charm. London is a regional centre of healthcare and education, home to Western University, Fanshawe College and several tertiary care teaching hospitals. The city hosts several musical and artistic exhibits and festivals, which contribute to its tourism industry, but its economic activity is centred on education, medical research, insurance, and information technology. London’s teaching hospitals are among its top ten employers.

London is home to a notably diverse Jewish community which includes a strong Israeli/Russian representation.  We are proud to offer diverse choices for a rich Jewish life which include three congregations: reform, conservative, and modern orthodox. The Jewish education system offers a pre-school, a full-day Hebrew day school with programs beginning in kindergarten and continuing to grade eight and a vibrant day care located in the JCC. The Jewish communal infrastructure in London includes a lively JCC, PJ Library, Hillel, and most national and international Jewish organizations.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Outreach

• Take a leadership role in the execution of the strategic plan to meet the current and future needs of the London Jewish community locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Work closely with volunteer leadership and staff to develop and provide oversight for strategic campaigns and initiatives, including the annual UJA campaign.
• Provide sound leadership for a productive and committed team of employees and volunteers across the demographic spectrum, as well as foster the development of leaders for the future.
• Proactively build and maintain relationships based on trust and shared interests, listen to and address the needs of stakeholders across the London Jewish community.
• Engage and partner with donors, community leaders, and members to identify opportunities for innovative programming and collaboration aimed at ensuring a vibrant and self-sustaining Jewish community.
• Work with the community-at-large to ensure the London Jewish community has a voice in important civic matters. This can include representing the Jewish community at London events and programs, as well as nationally.
• Build relationships within London and Canada to support a safe, secure, and vibrant Jewish life; including local civic leaders (mayors, MPs, MPPs), security services (London Police Services, RCMP) and local school boards (TVDSB and LDCSB).
• Lead key advocacy matters with support from partner agencies (i.e., JFNA, JFC, CIJA, and UIA)and serve as an effective spokesperson responding to issues in London and the Jewish world.
• Continue to drive key education initiatives for both the Jewish community and the local school boards, including the robust Holocaust Education programming and PJ Library, and more.
• Liaising with the Western University administration, as well as Jewish groups on campus such as Hillel, Israel on Campus (IOC), Chabad, and the Jewish faculty association. 

Administrative

• Provide the necessary financial oversight and work with the Board of Directors to develop, monitor, and execute annual budgets.
• Attend meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of the organization as required.
• Engage with the London Jewish Community Foundation and support Life & Legacy and other endowment programs.

Fundraising and Marketing

• Work with Annual Campaign Chairs to construct and lead fundraising campaigns that engage and inspire the entire community.
• Evaluate and identify alternative and new sources of funding for support of the community. Identify and communicate with potential donors. Organize opportunities for potential donors to learn about donation options.
• Increase awareness of the London Jewish Community Foundation (LJCF) and increase overall engagement in planned giving initiatives (i.e., Life & Legacy) by marketing, developing, and implementing new programs that will target specific audiences such as young adults and families, and potential supporters not yet engaged in the Jewish community. Attend all LJCF Board meetings and act as a liaison with the Board of Jewish London.
• Build solid relationships with donors in the community. Develop and passionately convey a strong case for giving.

Key Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring the following skills and qualifications:

• Preferably five years of relevant experience in a senior leadership leadership/management role.
• A track record of developing and implementing programs within and for a community that educate, involve, and inspire.
• Appreciation of and commitment to Israel and Jewish values; comfortable advocating on related issues.
• Strong communication skills. An articulate leader who can think quickly on their feet, capable of being the primary spokesperson for Jewish London.
• Government and University relations experience in terms of working with advocating key leaders at all levels on major issues including antisemitism, Jewish and Holocaust education, infrastructure support, security and safety, and more.
• Skills in program design, planning, management and evaluation, quality improvement and advocacy, and an ability to establish and lead successful partnerships.
• Financial resource development skills including experience with fundraising, major gift cultivation and solicitation as well as experience writing grant proposals and obtaining and managing grants and funding.
• Strong strategic planning skills and the ability to work effectively with a Board of Directors constituted under a modern governance structure and mandate.
• Personal experience inspiring, engaging and managing the continual and dynamic involvement of volunteers and providing strategic leadership and good governance practices to volunteer boards of directors and committees.
• Financial acumen. The ability to read and analyze a budget sheet and cash flow statements as well as manage accounting staff.
• The ability to network and collaborate with national liaisons to exchange best practices.
• Responsiveness and the ability to triage instances of antisemitism and security risks. Comfort advocating on related issues with government officials, local school boards, and security services
• Skilled at establishing relationships with the broader London community.
• Familiarity with Jewish traditions and holidays and awareness of diversity in Jewish practice and customs in a small community.

About London

Located in the heart of southwestern Ontario between Toronto and Detroit, London is one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities. With a diverse population of over 530,000 people, London is currently the 11^th largest city in Canada and offers its residents and visitors big-city appeal mixed with small-town charm.

Big enough for the “big city” experience, London boasts an extensive healthcare system and excellent business and career opportunities while providing the safe and clean atmosphere of a small community. London is called The Forest City in reference to its numerous, beautiful pathways and acres of rolling parkland. Its tree-lined boulevards and green parks invite cyclists and pedestrians to discover the charms of the city built at the fork of the Thames River. Just down the road from Western University is the vibrant Richmond Street in the city centre – a fantastic blend of culture and heritage to explore. London is safe city that offers many of the benefits of a larger centre but with a lower cost of living.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants may explore this opportunity in confidence by submitting a letter of interest and resume to [email protected].

Application review will begin on October 31, 2024.

Jewish London offers a competitive salary and benefits package.