EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Temple Isaiah | Lafayette, California

Temple Isaiah is seeking an exceptional Executive Director to help lead one of the largest and most vibrant Reform Jewish congregations in Northern California.

Serving more than 1,000 households throughout Contra Costa County and the East Bay, Temple Isaiah is known for innovation, meaningful relationships, lifelong learning, social action, and a commitment to continually evolving Jewish life for today’s families.

As we prepare to celebrate our 75th anniversary, we are looking for a financially adept, collaborative leader who is devoted to operational excellence and excited to help shape the next chapter of our growing community.

As Executive Director, you will serve as Temple Isaiah’s senior administrative and operational leader, partnering closely with clergy, staff, and volunteer leadership to guide the congregation’s future. You will help build the organizational systems, financial strength, and leadership culture necessary to support a thriving Jewish community for decades to come.

If you are energized by mission-driven leadership, building financial systems, organizational transformation, and the opportunity to help shape the future of Jewish life in the East Bay, we’d love to meet you.

In This Role, You Will:

Lead Organizational Excellence

• Evaluate and modernize systems, workflows, technology platforms, and administrative processes.

• Build an organization that scales effectively while preserving the warmth and personal connection that define Temple Isaiah.

Strengthen Financial Leadership

• Assess the congregation's financial operations, controls, reporting, and budgeting processes and implement improvements where needed.

• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, investment oversight, and long-range financial planning.

• Enhance financial transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline across the organization.

• Partner with the Board and Finance Committee to ensure informed decision-making and long-term financial sustainability.

• Lead the organization through independent financial audits and strengthen financial systems, policies, and internal controls.

Build High-Performing Teams

• Develop, coach, and empower staff leaders.

• Strengthen accountability, collaboration, communication, and professional development across the organization.

Partner with Clergy

• Serve as a trusted strategic partner to the senior clergy.

• Help translate vision into action and align resources with organizational priorities.

Support Governance

• Build strong relationships with the volunteer Board and other lay leadership.

• Support thoughtful governance through transparency, communication, and strong decision-support.

Advance Community Impact

• Represent Temple Isaiah within the broader Jewish and civic communities.

• Strengthen relationships with members, community partners, and key stakeholders.

Ensure Safety and Security

• Oversee organizational risk management, emergency preparedness, campus security planning, and relationships with relevant security partners.

• Help ensure Temple Isaiah remains both a welcoming and safe community.

What You Bring

• Significant executive leadership experience in a nonprofit, synagogue, professional services, or corporate environment.

• Strong financial and operational expertise, including experience creating and monitoring budgets, forecasting, organizational planning, auditing, and resource allocation.

• A track record of leading organizations through growth, change, transformation, or increasing complexity.

• Experience building and coaching high-performing teams.

• Experience utilizing and optimizing CRMs. Salesforce skills are a plus.

• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills.

• Experience working effectively with boards, donors, volunteer leaders, and diverse constituencies.

• High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate complex situations with discretion and integrity.

• Comfort balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution.

• Commitment to mission-driven, collaborative leadership and community impact.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Jewish communal organizations, synagogues, independent schools, nonprofit groups, or similarly complex mission-driven institutions.

• Familiarity with building a Culture of Philanthropy.

• Knowledge of Jewish communal life, culture, and traditions, or a demonstrated desire to learn quickly and engage deeply.

• Advanced degree or professional credential such as an MBA, MPA, CPA, or equivalent experience.

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $190,000–$225,000, commensurate with experience. Temple Isaiah offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, disability, and life insurance; generous paid time off; and retirement contributions. This position also provides a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on one of the Bay Area’s most dynamic and vibrant Jewish communities.

To apply, please submit a resume and letter of interest to hiring@temple-isaiah.org.