The Opportunity

Calgary Jewish Federation (CJF) has an exceptional opportunity for a passionate, visionary Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with strong community building, fundraising, and strategic management skills who will lead the organization into the next stage of its growth and development, recognizing and embracing the unique needs and priorities of this vibrant, dynamic, and growing Jewish community. This CEO also has the unique opportunity to also lead Calgary Jewish Federation’s Campus Corporation and will be responsible for ensuring sustainable operations of the existing community assets including the Paperny Family JCC and other assets on the campus lands, working collaboratively with the Paperny Family JCC Operations Committee and Paperny Family JCC Executive Director.

CJF’s next CEO will help create and shape their vision for the future of Jewish Calgary and play a critical role in developing an up-to-date strategy that helps the community continue to thrive. 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 agencies towards the goal of enhancing Calgary’s Jewish community for today and for the future. The successful candidate will also lead the long-term vision and feasibility of building a new campus for Jewish life in Calgary. 

The Community

With a Jewish population of approximately 9,300 and a deeply committed and engaged volunteer base, Calgary offers both a cosmopolitan and healthy lifestyle with world-class outdoor recreation and a strong Jewish infrastructure. Calgary is home to a community with diverse choices for a rich Jewish life. There are five congregations: reform, traditional egalitarian, conservative, modern orthodox, and Chabad. The Jewish education system offers two pre-schools, two full-day day schools with programs beginning in kindergarten and continuing to grade nine and a vibrant day care located in the Jewish community centre that is recognized as one of the best in Calgary.

The Jewish communal infrastructure in Calgary includes a vibrant Jewish community centre, Jewish Family Services, a regional summer camp, PJ Library®, JAC (Jewish Adult Calgary), Hillel, BBYO, and most national and international Jewish organizations. Plans are underway to create a community campus with a new JCC, housing for seniors, and a new home for Calgary’s largest Jewish day school.

Position Summary

Position Title: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Reports to: President and Board of Directors, Calgary Jewish Federation
Direct Reports: The CEO will lead a team of 17 full and part-time staff. Direct reports include: Director of Development, Director of Marketing, Director of Engagement, Director of Finance, with the potential for candidate to hire additional senior support staff.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Vision:

• Take a leadership role in the development and implementation of the strategic initiatives defined by the CEO and the CJF’s board of directors to meet the current and future needs of the Calgary Jewish community locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Work closely with volunteer leadership and staff to develop and provide oversight for strategic campaigns and initiatives, including the annual United Jewish Appeal (UJA) campaign.
• Identify feasibility, develop plans, and buy-in for the creation of a community campus including securing government funding.
• Grow strategic partnerships with beneficiary agencies and other organizations.
• Along with the Paperny Family JCC Operations Committee and Paperny Family JCC Executive Director, responsible for ensuring sustainable operations of the existing community assets including the Paperny Family JCC and other assets on the campus lands.

Fundraising and Marketing

• Work with the Director of Development to construct and lead fundraising campaigns that engage and inspire the entire community and focus on bringing in younger and engaged donors as part of long-term planning. These include undertakings such as UJA, and special initiatives such as a capital campaign for the new campus.
• Evaluate and identify alternative and new sources of alternative funding for support of the community.
• Increase awareness of the CJF brand and increase overall engagement by marketing, developing, and implementing new programs that will target specific audiences such as young adults and families, and potential supporters not yet engaged in the Jewish community.
• Build solid relationships with donors in the community. Develop and passionately convey a strong case for giving.

Leadership and Outreach

• Provide sound leadership for a productive and committed team of employees and volunteers across the demographic spectrum, as well as foster the development of leaders for the future.
• Proactively build and maintain relationships based on trust and shared interests, listen to and address the needs of stakeholders across the Calgary Jewish community.
• Engage and partner with donors, community leaders, and members to identify opportunities for innovative programming and collaboration aimed at ensuring a vibrant and self-sustaining Jewish community.
• Work with the community-at-large to ensure the Calgary Jewish community has a voice in important civic matters.
• Lead key advocacy matters with support from Community Relations Committee and serve as an effective spokesperson responding to issues in Calgary and the Jewish world.
• Continue to drive key education initiatives including CJF’s robust Holocaust Education and Human Rights department, PJ Library and PJ Our Way®, Inclusion, and more.

Administrative

• Provide the necessary financial oversight and work with the Board of Directors to develop, monitor, and execute annual budgets.
• Attend meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of the organization as required.
• Oversee all governance activities pertaining to CJF.

Key Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring the following skills and experiences:

• Relevant experience in a senior strategic leadership position in either a for-profit or not-for-profit organization.
• A track record of developing and implementing programs within and for a community that educate, involve, and inspire.
• Appreciation of and commitment to Israel and Jewish values; comfortable advocating on related issues.
• Government relations experience in terms of funding as well as experience in working with advocating key leaders at all levels on major issues including antisemitism, Jewish and Holocaust education, infrastructure support, security and safety, and more.
• Experience with fundraising and major gift cultivation and solicitation, as a professional or lay leader (equal to or greater than $2 million in development on a regularly occurring annual basis).
• Experience with legacy giving and bequests.
• Strong strategic planning skills and the ability to work effectively with a Board of Directors constituted under a modern governance structure and mandate.
• Experience leading and developing a professional team while developing trust with volunteers, donors, and the community at large.
• Strong communication skills. An articulate leader who can think quickly on their feet, capable of being the primary spokesperson for CJF.
• Financial acumen. The ability to read and analyze a budget sheet and cash flow statements as well as manage accounting staff.
• The ability to network and collaborate with national liaisons to exchange best practices.
• Responsiveness and the ability to triage instances of antisemitism and security risks.
• Skilled at establishing relationships with the broader Calgary community.
• Familiarity with Jewish traditions and holidays and awareness of diversity in Jewish practice and customs

Core Competencies for Success

• Relationship Building: Devotes appropriate time and energy to establishing and maintaining networks, and utilize relationship to facilitate objectives.
• Drive/Energy: Exhibits passion about role and has the stamina and endurance to handle workloads. Productive in a fast-paced environment while still maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
• Positive Impact: Demonstrates a consistent positive, constructive, can-do attitude.
• Focuses on Results: Commitment to setting and achieving and/or exceeding individual, team, or community goals.
• Problem Solving and Decision Making: Ability to identify problems, solve them, act decisively, and show good judgement.
• Communicates Effectively: Exceptional written and oral communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels in the organization.

Calgary
Calgary is known as Canada’s economic powerhouse. The city of 1.3 million people boasts a diverse population due to the economic opportunities and lifestyle that it offers. In addition to having one of the most dynamic economies in North America, Calgary is also a setting of majestic beauty and offers an unparalleled quality of life compared with other metropolitan regions of similar size. In 2023, The Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Calgary in the top 10 of the world’s most liveable cities. Calgary is unique due to its low sales taxes, work opportunities, proximity to the Rockies and being rated the cleanest city in the world!

Contact
Interested applicants may explore this opportunity in confidence by forwarding your resume and cover letter to president@jewishcalgary.org no later than June 15, 2024.