Director of Membership Engagement and Development

Director of Membership Engagement and Development Mersky, Jaffe & Associates, a national executive search and consulting firm, has been engaged to conduct a search for a Director of Membership Engagement and Development for Temple Israel Center of White Plains, New York (Background: From its beginnings in 1907 to our current status as a leading egalitarian, Conservative synagogue with 570 members, Temple Israel Center has been an important force in the White Plains, NY community and in the Conservative movement. Under the leadership of outstanding clergy including Rabbi Annie Tucker; Assistant Rabbi Josh Bender; Rabbi Emeritus Gordon Tucker; and Cantor Emeritus Jack Mendelson, we have grown to be a vibrant community of active and engaged members spanning multiple generations. We are intellectual, social, spiritual, and musical. Our community values life-long learning, offering breadth and depth of programming, and seeks meaningful growth opportunities for congregants of all ages, abilities, and levels of observance in an atmosphere of mutual respect. As one of the few synagogues nation-wide to engage a Director of Learning and Inclusion, we aspire to make every individual and family in our community feel welcome and able to participate fully in all aspects of synagogue life. Our congregation welcomes a diversity of individuals and families, including interfaith families, and we strive to include non-Jewish partners and other relatives to the fullest extent possible under the parameters of halakha (Jewish law). We firmly believe that relationships are the heart of our congregation, and we seek to help each and every member find a rich sense of belonging. The State of Israel is a central part of our educational program, and our members are involved in a wide range of organizations that advocate for Israel in different ways and activities that support and engage with Israeli society. While we are a congregation with an array of political views, a commitment to the State of Israel's fundamental right to exist and to protect herself underscores everything that we do. Situated within a robust Jewish community, our very own neighborhood enjoys a collaborative and supportive network of synagogues of various denominations, all within walking distance of each other. As we look forward, grounded in our rich history of Jewish communal leadership, we strive to evolve, learn, and grow all the time. We are not afraid to experiment and innovate - taking seriously our responsibility to make our tradition dynamic, relevant, and deeply meaningful to all we serve. Position Overview: Temple Israel Center of White Plains ("TIC") seeks an experienced, passionate, and ideas-driven Director of Membership Engagement and Development (DMED). This is a full-time position, reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with our clergy, President of the Board, professional staff and volunteer leadership of the congregation. The DMED is responsible for fostering a strong sense of community; implementing strategies to actively involve and retain membership as well as engage those who wish to learn more about joining the TIC family. The DMED will serve as the philanthropic leader working closely with the Executive Director, clergy and President of the Board, to achieve annual fundraising goals aligned with the synagogue's mission and values. The salary is $150,000 and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Key Responsibilities: Membership Engagement: Conduct regular outreach to identify member interests and needs and in collaboration with staff/clergy, develop and oversee the implementation of programs and initiatives to enhance member engagement, renewal and participation in synagogue activities. Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for new members to integrate into the synagogue community. Facilitate opportunities for members to connect with each other through social events, small group gatherings, and volunteer initiatives. Help develop compelling marketing materials, as needed, to attract new members and promote synagogue activities. Track member engagement metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and identify areas for improvement. Availability to attend select Shabbat and holiday services as well as other events based on consultation with the Senior Rabbi, Executive Director and President of the Board. Development: In consultation with the Executive Director, clergy and volunteer leadership, develop and implement a strategic and comprehensive annual fundraising program, stewardship plan, and case for support that engages donors and prospects of all levels across the congregation. Review current donor base and develop strategies to increase giving among current donors and reengage lapsed donors. Conduct research to identify and qualify potential major gift donors within the membership, assessing their philanthropic interests and capacity to give. Craft proposals and conduct face-to-face meetings/solicitations with donors and prospects. Collaborate with professional and volunteer leadership to secure their active participation in fundraising efforts. Manage donor stewardship activities, including personalized thank you letters, donor impact reports, and other activities to maintain strong relationships and communicate clear outcomes of donor support and the effect these outcomes have on the synagogue community and beyond. Provide periodic development reports to the Executive Director, Senior Rabbi, President of the Board, and the Board of Trustees. The Successful Candidate will have/be: 5-7 years' experience with demonstrated success in annual and capital campaign fundraising with strong donor prospecting, research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship skills. Strong interpersonal aptitude with the ability to build relationships with diverse individuals and affiliation groups within the congregation. A creative thinker and flexible self-starter who thrives in a team environment, bringing both strong collaboration skills and independent initiative in working with professional and volunteer leadership. A highly competent written and oral communicator who can develop targeted messaging to various affiliates within the membership. A personable, warm and disciplined individual who has a strong social IQ, is a naturally good listener, and can observe and understand the dynamics of the community. An ability to set priorities, manage projects and meet deadlines in a fast paced, dynamic environment. Be flexible and efficient and leverage real-time feedback and data to remain responsive to member needs. Fluency in Jewish traditions and rituals, with Hebrew reading skills a plus. Strong computer skills with a proficiency in using database management systems - Shul Cloud a plus. Familiarity with social media. Mersky Jaffe & Associates is proud of its association with Temple Israel Center of White Plains and to be conducting the search for its Director of Membership Engagement and Development. If you or someone you know might be a suitable candidate for this position, please forward in confidence, the person's name, cover letter, resume, and contact information to Katie Moreland at #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-03-12