The Organization

The Atlantic Jewish Council (AJC) has been the cornerstone of Jewish life in the Atlantic Canadian provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland & Labrador) since 1975, acting as the organized Jewish community’s representative and program/service provider for non-religious matters.

Headquartered in Halifax, with a staff complement of five full-time and three part-time employees as well as the support of over 100 volunteers across Atlantic Canada, the AJC works to advance strategic priorities including:

• Reinforcing regional identity and building a sense of Jewish community across Atlantic Canada; • Strengthening Jewish identity amongst Jews in Atlantic Canada; • Supporting and connecting Atlantic Canadians to Israel; • Educating the wider community about the Holocaust and human rights; • Helping those in need in the community; • Fostering relationships with and representing Atlantic Jewry to all levels of government, academic institutions, and Jewish and general organizations at both the national and local level; and • Educating the community of Atlantic Canada at large about Judaism.

The Opportunity

The AJC 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. The AJC 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 partner organizations towards the goal of enhancing the Atlantic 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 the AJC. Working with staff and the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will enhance the AJC’s community, lead or participate in all strategic planning, and ensure and maintain the availability of funds for the AJC’s operations through the annual United Jewish Appeal (“UJA”) campaign, fundraising events, grants, major gifts, endowments, and planned giving.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will bring the following skills and experiences:

• A minimum of five years of relevant experience in a senior leadership leadership/management role in a Federation, JCC, not for profit or similar agency. • Strong financial and business acumen. • A proven track record of developing and implementing programs within and for a community that educate, engage and inspire. • Financial resource development skills including experience with major gift cultivation and solicitation as well as experience writing grant proposals and obtaining and managing grants and funding. A strong fundraiser with proven ability to develop good relationships with key donors. • A strong track record of effective staff and financial resource management, and of leading and managing innovative growth and change. • Strong interpersonal, time management communication skills. An articulate leader who can think quickly on their feet, capable of being a primary spokesperson for the AJC. • 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. • Appreciation of and commitment to Israel and Jewish values; active in Jewish communal life; a Zionist; comfort advocating on related issues. • An understanding of and familiarity with Jewish life and traditions in a small community.

International applications, applications from first time Executive Directors as well as candidates who already have Executive Director level experience are welcome and encouraged.

The Atlantic Jewish Community

The Atlantic Jewish Community is a small but vibrant, historic, and engaged community of 4,000 – 5,000 Jews with a mix of diverse age ranges including a large baby-boomer population and a growing population of children and young adults. There is also a group of immigrant families from Israel, many of whom were originally from the Former Soviet Union, who have settled in the region over the past decade. There are two synagogues in Halifax (Conservative & Orthodox) and several others across the region including one in each of Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John, Sydney, and St. John’s Newfoundland. There are also additional Jewish community organizations in Prince Edward Island and St. John’s, as well as Chabad Houses in Halifax and St. John’s. The region’s only historical Jewish historical museum is located in Saint John, NB. Camp Kadimah, an internationally renowned Jewish overnight camp which is owned and operated by the AJC, is located in Barss Corner, Nova Scotia and offers a Zionist camp experience to youth from the Atlantic communities as well as across Canada and around the world.

About Halifax

The AJC is headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a charming city on the East Coast of Canada with a vibrant Jewish community of approximately 2,000 – 3,000 people. An affordable, mid-sized city on Canada’s east coast with a population of almost 500,000, Halifax is known for its friendly, welcoming residents, beautiful scenery on the Atlantic Ocean, and an easy-going atmosphere that’s ideal for a balanced lifestyle far from the more frantic pace of larger cities.

Halifax has a blend of history and modern conveniences, is progressive and combines affordability with world-class experiences. Halifax welcomes thousands of young professionals and newcomers every year who fall in love with the east coast lifestyle. Its approachable size creates a tight-knit community. Housing prices are considerably less than most large centres in both Canada and the United States and the low crime rate and shorter commute times contribute to an enviable lifestyle. Halifax offers excellent housing opportunities, including apartments and condominiums for young professionals who want to live within walking distance to work as well as larger homes for families. Home to a community college and 5 exceptional universities, including medical and law schools, Nova Scotia has a thriving education and professional community.

No matter where you are in Halifax, you are never far from the ocean. The commercial heart of Halifax is on the water, along with one of the world’s longest harbourfront boardwalks. It's only a short getaway from downtown to scenic coastal villages like Peggy’s Cove. Enjoy water sports like sailing, paddling, deep-sea fishing and surfing. Halifax is considered a global destination for cold water surfing. Halifax has a moderate winter climate which also allows for activities include skiing and skating.

Application Instructions

A detailed position profile is available upon request.

Siegel Executive Search Solutions Inc., member of the Executive Search Alliance, is advising the Atlantic Jewish Council on the basis of an exclusive consulting assignment. Interested applicants may explore this opportunity in confidence by submitting a resume to kerry.siegel@execsearchalliance.com no later than July 30, 2022. The publication of this advertisement is neither an assurance that an applicant will be hired, nor that the position will be held open for any specific period of time in the event that a suitable candidate for the position is identified at an earlier date. We thank all applicants for their interest but only those who are considered for an interview will be contacted.