EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Congregation Shomrei Torah (CST), a growing, nearly 500-family, URJ-affiliated synagogue in Santa Rosa, CA, seeks an Executive Director.

This is a full-time, exempt position.

The Executive Director plays an essential role in the sustenance and growth of our community, and in the evolution of its identity as the only Reform congregation in Sonoma County.

Our new Senior Rabbi, Jeremy Morrison, joined CST in July 2025, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter in the fifty-one–year history of our congregation. Rabbi Morrison envisions CST as a “sanctuary for imperfect practice”—a place where we strive toward spiritual, ethical, and communal growth with honesty and humility. CST is a congregation devoted to lifelong learning for all who participate—both congregants and staff. We are a community committed to continual reflection and transformation. We celebrate our successes, yet we do not rest on our laurels. Our leadership consistently asks itself: how may we become an ever-more diverse, inclusive, socially conscious community that strives to ameliorate the brokenness in our world through the enactment of Reform Jewish values?

We seek an Executive Director who will join us in this spirit of learning and entrepreneurship—a collaborative, innovative, and self-reflective leader who is excited to learn, grow, and lead as we enter our next era of congregational life.

We would like our next Executive Director to prioritize:

• The articulation, and execution, of a strategic vision for CST’s next 3-10 years

• The creation and implementation of a communications plan

• Donor cultivation, fundraising, and grant management

• Membership growth and retention

• The development of a new generation of synagogue leaders

• Effective engagement of congregants in the discovery of personal meaning through programs, volunteer opportunities, and by serving as a liaison to committees

• External partnerships with institutions (and individuals) that further our growth and the fulfillment of our mission

Examples of ongoing responsibilities include:

• Build and maintain relationships with Board members, committee chairs, volunteers, and members of the Congregation

• Financial stewardship

• Recruit, coordinate and train volunteers

• Supervise the delivery of synagogue services for life-cycle events (such as B’nei Mitzvah and funerals)

• Oversee the execution (and aspects of the planning) of all special programs, e.g., High Holy Days, Scholar-in-Residence weekends, Adult Education, and other holiday events

• Seek out opportunities for grants and coordinate their preparation for submission

• Serve as staff liaison to our Development and Membership Committees

• Oversee the onboarding and training of new employees

• Work closely, communicate frequently, and meet regularly with the Clergy and the Board President

• Attend all Executive Committee meetings and Board meetings

• Carry out such other duties as are necessary for the smooth and effective functioning of the Temple and/or that have been assigned by the Rabbi or Board of Directors

• Oversees annual review processes for Admin./Ops. Team employees

Our new Executive Director will function as a relationship builder and organizer, and as an adept, thoughtful administrator. They will be a “public face” of our community, and often the first point of contact for members and non-members alike.

Supervised by: the Senior Rabbi.

Reports to: the Senior Rabbi and the President of the Board of Directors or their designee(s).

Works in coordination with: The Board of Directors, clergy, staff, lay leaders and volunteers.

Our Executive Director supervises the Administration and Operations Team (presently comprising 5 employees); and other contracted personnel (including security and catering staff).

Qualifications: 4+ years of non-profit management experience. Understanding and respect for Reform Jewish tradition, religious practices, and the Jewish calendar are necessary, as is a deep commitment to construct Jewish community in an era of profound institutional flux. Professional composure, sound judgment, and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality are essential to success in the role. Reliability, responsiveness, excellent follow-through, efficiency, attention to detail, and timeliness are also especially important.

Qualified candidates will have excellent customer service, employee management, and organizational leadership skills, have leadership experience in fundraising, and in communications and the use of social media to fulfill the mission of a non-profit organization or business. They must be self-directed, flexible, and highly motivated, with excellent written and oral communication skills.

In addition to the above, qualified candidates must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and be comfortable using Google Drive and Dropbox. Knowledge and experience with ShulCloud (our synagogue membership database system) or other membership or CRM systems is preferred.

Be a quick and eager learner, able to assimilate new information quickly. The role of the Executive Director will evolve over time as the incumbent becomes more familiar and comfortable with the culture of Congregation Shomrei Torah.

Show initiative and take charge. Problems, issues and opportunities will arise that require action. The Executive Director will be expected to handle the bulk of these situations, asking for advice from our clergy and lay leaders only after having thought through and offered potential solutions.

Be flexible. There are very busy times and less busy times. The Executive Director must be able and willing to adjust personal plans accordingly (vacations, short-term plans).

We recognize that this list of qualifications–and character traits–is lengthy and that all skilled, thoughtful professionals are aware of areas of expertise in which they feel more competent than others. Please do not let your concerns about perceived deficiencies or a lack of knowledge/experience of a particular qualification prevent you from applying. We are seeking a leader who demonstrates the capacity to be reflective, self-critical, and is interested in professional growth, a creative and collaborative individual who wants to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a vibrant congregation positioned to shape the future of progressive Judaism in Northern California.

We invite you to submit a cover letter and CV to humanresources@cstsr.org.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary: $120,000.00-$140,000.00 (commensurate with experience)

• Health benefits, paid vacation, and professional development opportunities

• A supportive and dynamic work environment within a vibrant Jewish spiritual community