Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, Indiana

The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (JFGI) is the heart of the Indianapolis Jewish community. We are seeking a visionary, Jewish-values driven, forward-thinking leader to guide the organization into a new era of engagement, impact and success.

About Our Federation

JFGI is focused on philanthropy and community engagement throughout the greater Indianapolis region. We are the connection to the entire Jewish community, not only in Indianapolis but in Israel and overseas. We have a strong history of supporting the most vulnerable in our community, while engaging Jews of all ages and backgrounds. We have experienced significant growth in engagement and our annual campaign in recent years and have built on and added effective leadership training and engagement programs and missions.

JFGI resides on a 40-acre campus with the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Family Services and Hooverwood Living, and works in partnership with Hasten Hebrew Academy, the day school located down the street on its own property. The community is in the process of evaluating comprehensive studies related to significant campus renovation and/or relocation options and associated capital campaign strategies. JFGI employs a talented team of approximately 20-25 professionals. Like all Jewish communities, we are also addressing security and safety issues and developing practices and measures to keep our community safe. At this pivotal time in the Indianapolis Jewish community, we are looking for a CEO who will help shape, direct and implement a vision for the community’s next chapter.

About the Greater Indianapolis Area

The Indianapolis metropolitan region is home to more than two million residents, making it one of the largest and most dynamic economies in the Midwest. This growth supports a strong employment market, diverse industries, and a cost of living that allows for a high quality of life compared to many similarly sized cities. Indianapolis is consistently recognized in national rankings, including being named among the top 100 best places to live in the United States by U.S. News & World Report (ranked #55), reflecting its strong job market, affordability, and overall livability. The region is also known for its vibrant sports and cultural scene, hosting iconic events like the Indianapolis 500 and supporting major professional teams alongside a thriving arts and entertainment community. Access to world class museums, cultural attractions, professional, college and amateur sports, excellent local and state parks and outdoor activities, local festivals, and farmers markets, combined with Indy’s blend of big city spirit and midwestern charm and accessibility make it a desirable place to live. Indianapolis and surrounding suburbs are the home to a majority of Indiana’s Jewish residents, with a strong presence on the north side of Indianapolis and in suburbs such as top-rated Carmel.

Position Summary

The Chief Executive Officer serves as the chief professional leader of JFGI, the central philanthropic, planning, community engagement, and unifying partner in our community. The CEO is responsible for implementing the ongoing mission of engaging with and providing support to our Jewish community. This position offers an extraordinary opportunity for a visionary, results-oriented leader to shape the future of Jewish Indianapolis through outstanding fundraising and sound administration.

Reporting directly to the JFGI Board of Directors, the CEO provides strategic vision and executive direction with primary emphasis on fundraising and administration. The CEO is accountable for raising and allocating more than $5 million annually through the Annual Campaign and other philanthropic vehicles and managing the assets of the Foundation while ensuring efficient, transparent, and compliant organizational operations. The CEO works in close partnership with volunteer leadership, professional staff, and beneficiary agencies (including the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Community Relations Council, Hasten Hebrew Academy, Jewish Family Services and Hooverwood Living), synagogues, and the broader Indianapolis community to strengthen Jewish life locally, in Israel, and worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising, Engagement & Philanthropic Leadership

• Serve as the principal fundraiser and public face of JFGI’s philanthropic efforts, personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major individual donors, family foundations, corporate partners, and planned-giving prospects.
• Lead the design, execution, and growth of the Annual Campaign, including volunteer recruitment and management, to meet or exceed annual goals of more than $5 million.
• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies to increase unrestricted, designated, endowment, and legacy gifts (Life & Legacy, bequests, donor-advised funds).
• Identify and secure new revenue streams, including corporate sponsorships, matching-gift programs, foundation grants, and special campaigns.
• Build long-term donor pipelines and deepen relationships with current supporters to ensure sustainable philanthropic growth.
• Create and implement vibrant engagement, mission and other community programs that grow and foster a sense of community, including multi-generational engagement.
• Create pathways for all generations to actively participate in Jewish community leadership.

Administration & Organizational Management

• Provide executive oversight of all internal operations, including finance, human resources, information technology, facilities, and administrative systems.
• Prepare, present, and manage the annual operating budget, while ensuring fiscal integrity, timely financial reporting, and full compliance with nonprofit regulations and audit standards.
• Recruit, develop, mentor, motivate and evaluate a high-performing professional staff.
• Foster a collaborative, mission-driven culture with clear goals and performance accountability.
• Oversee efficient allocation of funds to local agencies, national partners, and overseas beneficiaries while maintaining transparent reporting to donors and the Board.
• Manage organizational infrastructure, risk management, insurance, and security protocols (including community-wide security preparedness).
• Ensure all administrative processes support strategic priorities and deliver measurable results with maximum efficiency and minimal overhead.

Executive Leadership and Strategic Vision

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate, engage, and partner with volunteer leadership and experience in building and sustaining a strong CEO-board partnership.
• Partner with the Board and lay leadership to develop, execute, and regularly evaluate a multi-year strategic plan that advances community collaboration, engagement, and Israel connection.
• Represent JFGI as the primary spokesperson in the Jewish and general Indianapolis communities, building strong relationships with synagogues, agencies, elected officials, and interfaith partners.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Prior experience in senior leadership role in Jewish communal organizations, federations, or comparable nonprofit/philanthropic settings.
• Demonstrated success in major-gift fundraising and campaign leadership, with a personal track record of closing major gifts.
• Proven executive management experience, including budget development, financial oversight, staff leadership, and operational excellence.
• An open, accessible and accountable leadership style and approach.
• Deep personal commitment to and knowledge of Jewish life, values, and Israel.
• Ability to authentically articulate and advance the Federation’s mission.
• Experience in a mid-sized Jewish community or Federation environment.
• Compelling and effective oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal relationship and consensus-building skills.
• Knowledge of Jewish communal security best practices.
• Personal commitment to living and fully engaging in the greater Indianapolis area.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range is $210,000-240,000. The full salary and benefits package will be commensurate with experience and includes health/dental insurance, retirement plan, generous vacation, and professional development opportunities. Relocation assistance will be available. The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis is an equal opportunity employer.

Please submit all resumes and reference letters to CEO@JFGI.ORG