Summary

The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland (MJCC) is an award-winning, vibrant, state-of-the-art Jewish community center. It is a non-profit organization that welcomes everyone. It is located in Beachwood, a suburb in the heart of Cleveland's Jewish community.

The MJCC builds and strengthens the Cleveland Jewish community by providing exceptional programs and services in the areas of health, wellness, and recreation, early childhood education, Jewish programming, day camping and Camp Wise, an overnight camp, and cultural arts. Its mission is to build, connect and strengthen the Cleveland Jewish community as well as the greater Cleveland community through exceptional life-long programs and services all along the age continuum, that reflect the richness of Jewish life and enhance physical, intellectual, and spiritual well-being of all.

The MJCC seeks an innovative, pro-active, and forward thinking CEO who is a visionary and business-savvy leader  one who can execute on that vision and bring change and creativity to the MJCC; a relationship builder, community partner, and collaborator; and who possesses strong values, an inclusive style and can inspire and motivate staff. The CEO will lead the MJCC out of the pandemic, and into a new era as the premier destination for Jewish life in Cleveland.

CEO Competencies

Presents Visionary and Strategic Direction

The CEO will implement an all-encompassing and compelling vision that captures the energy of the MJCC and a robust, engaged and involved community going forward. The CEO will actively engage with other Jewish and secular community organizations, as well as community leaders and activists, working to support existing collaborative programs and to envision new ways and places to work together. The CEO must be innovative, see the big picture and be able to think outside the box - managing current issues while planning for evolving business models in both the near and long term and well beyond the walls of the MJCC. The successful candidate will be a change-agent who can envision and execute a plan for the future.

Provides Exemplary Executive Leadership

The CEO will be a warm and engaging leader who is accessible and inclusive, demonstrates confidence, and manages through a positive approach. A forward thinking, energetic, and decisive individual, the CEO will promote a culture of innovation and inclusion and be a change agent to create ongoing excellence in every area of the MJCC. The CEO must be a highly accomplished relationship builder, comfortable with all levels of constituencies from the most seasoned lay leaders to new young leadership, professional staff, members, and those not yet engaged. This person will be skilled at energizing, motivating and inspiring staff and be accessible and visible to staff and members.

The CEO will lead efforts directed toward the continuation and enhancement of community among individuals, agencies, synagogues, and other organizations in the Cleveland area.

Represents the JCC in the Community

The CEO must be committed to the mission of the MJCC and will promote that mission in every corner of the community. Building and nurturing effective collaborations and partnerships for the benefit of both the MJCC and the community will be a priority. As the face of the MJCC, the CEO will see community building, and being a community connector and bridge builder for a wide variety of populations, as a key part of this role.

Creates a Culture of Philanthropy

The CEO will engage and steward donors and seek gifts of significance. Entrepreneurial and attuned to donor interests and concerns, the CEO will establish strategies and direct forward-looking practices in donor development to enhance and improve the communitys potential. Highly visible in the community, the CEO will reach out and cultivate new potential donors at all levels, including seeking grants from local and State government, foundations, and support from business partnerships.

Demonstrates Skill in Operational Management

The CEO provides leadership to all aspects of the MJCC operations and is responsible for the day-to-day management and security of the MJCC. This includes an understanding of the physical plant, technical support systems and running the various businesses of the MJCC. Visibility and skilled responsiveness to members is essential. The CEO will be decisive in action, adaptable and accountable.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

Minimum of a bachelor's degree with 10+ years of strategic leadership and management experience in JCCs, Jewish communal organizations, business, and/or non-profit sectors.

Proven ability to build strong and lasting partnerships with Jewish, corporate, and other organizations, and engage key stakeholders and audiences.

Dynamic and empathetic leader to serve as the public face of the organization.

Strong analytical skills and ability to work with financial data to make key decisions.

Ability to develop and drive both short-and long-term strategy for the organization.

Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach and develop staff, develop high-performance teams, and set and achieve strategic objectives.

Ability to develop a culture of philanthropy, including knowledge of and participation in individual donor development, planned giving, grant procurement, capital campaigns, corporate sponsorship, and special events. Past success working with a Board of Directors, committees, and volunteers with the ability to cultivate existing relationships and develop new ones.

Appreciation and real commitment to diversity; works easily with a broad range of people across all aspects of diverse cultures.

General knowledge and understanding of Jewish culture, practices, and tradition.

Outstanding oral and written communication skills.

About the MJCC

The MJCC embraces four core values:

The Pursuit of Excellence, by hiring and developing outstanding staff, maintaining, and updating state-of-the-art facilities, and providing the highest quality programs and services to its members and the community. Excellence is realized through continuous improvement, exceeding expectations & inspiring innovation. The Jewish Experience, which instills Jewish values, ethics, and traditions into all of its programs and services in order to enhance Jewish continuity and identity. Members, staff, and the community are enriched and inspired to connect with and be part of Jewish life. A Welcoming Environment, where everyone is treated in a warm, respectful, and friendly manner. Within its inviting atmosphere people make connections, build friendships, and feel involved in the community.

Wellness, in which integrated programs and services for its members and employees are provided to help all achieve optimal well-being and a high quality of life.

The MJCC was founded in 1948 as a gathering place for Jewish families and new immigrants to fill their lives with culture, recreation, and connections. In 70+ years it has grown to be a vibrant and dynamic community center at its peak serving 11,000 members, 300 staff members and programs and services that touch an additional 15,000 community members, young and old. The MJCC, having been in its current building since 1986, completed a transformational $18 million renovation and expansion of its 150,000-square-foot facility in 2012. The MJCC building is part of a 40-acre campus which includes the Mandel Jewish Community Day School, Mizrachi School (modern Orthodox), Temple Tifereth Israel (Reform synagogue) and the Maltz Museum of Jewish History . This campus is within walking distance of the Park Synagogue (Conservative) and the Cleveland Jewish Federation Building. In addition, the MJCC owns and operates the internationally recognized 114-year-old Camp Wise, a 300-bed overnight camp located 35 miles from the main building on a 300-acre campsite, which is also the home to the J-Day Camp.

The MJCC features a beautifully renovated fitness center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, basketball, pickleball and racquetball courts, fitness studios, modern offices, classrooms, meeting rooms, an auditorium, as well as outdoor playing fields, pavilions, tennis and basketball courts and a full complement of fitness classes. The MJCC has been committed to providing outstanding preschool and child care programs for over 50 years. The Five Star Step-Up-to Quality rated preschool offers child care and preschool programs for children ages 18 months to Pre-K. A robust Kids Club program offers children in kindergarten through middle school the opportunity to unwind after in-school learning in a safe, interactive, and creative environment. In addition to Camp Wise and J-Day Camp, many specialty camps are also offered for children. The MJCC's Arts, Ideas & Jewish Life program offers a wide array of dynamic recreational, social, and educational programs. All programs are designed to help engage with the arts, Jewish life, and contemporary issues. These include the Playmakers program for young people to experience theater, the Book Festival, FilmFest and programs for older adults.

About the Cleveland Jewish Community

The Cleveland Jewish community numbers approximately 80,000 people. Greater Cleveland is the 23rd largest Jewish community in the U.S. It is currently seeing significant growth in young Jewish professionals and in the Orthodox community. Cleveland is known for its robust Jewish life. There are seven Jewish day schools attended by almost 10,000 students. There are more than 25 different synagogues of every denomination, six kosher restaurants and two kosher grocery stores. The Jewish Federation of Cleveland, a key partner for the MJCC, has led the community for over 115 years and is a highly regarded center of excellence in building community.

About Cleveland

Greater Cleveland, with a population of over 2 million, sits along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the maritime border with Canada and approximately 60 miles west of the Pennsylvania border. With its affordable cost of living, four beautiful seasons, welcoming and inclusive atmosphere and excellent schools and hospitals, it is one of the more desirable Midwest locations in which to live. Known for the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, a vibrant art and culture scene, including the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Museum of Art, highly ranked health care institutions such as The Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and Metro Hospital systems, and many public parks and greenspaces with hiking and biking trails open to everyone. Cleveland is a place with Midwest values and a sophisticated culture. It is also home to three major league sports teams. The City of Beachwood, a suburb of Cleveland, has 14,000 residents that take great pride in living in a blue-chip business center, a thriving commercial and shopping area, a center for world-class medical care and a national leader in technology, and beautiful residential neighborhoods.