Summary

For more than 100 years, the JCC Indianapolis has been a neighborhood and community resource to both the Jewish community as well as diverse populations in Indianapolis. From its start in 1914 in downtown Indianapolis at 23rd and Meridian as a place for Jewish immigrants to eat and socialize to its current location on Hoover Road, the JCC has been dedicated to serving the Indianapolis community and responsive to its needs. For more than a century, the JCC has maintained a multi-generational, inclusive environment where all people can live, learn, play, and connect.

The JCC seeks a dynamic and strategic CEO who is an innovative and visionary leader – one who can be a community convener, is approachable and visible; a professional with a proven track record in fundraising, a strong community partner, relationship builder and collaborator; and who possesses excellent staff and operational management skills.  The CEO will lead the JCC into a new era of strategic growth in an environment that is welcoming and open to all.

About the Glick JCC

The mission of the JCC, guided by Jewish values and traditions, is to provide inclusive experiences that lead to personal growth and community building, with a vision to inspire all people to become the best versions of themselves. The JCC builds greater Jewish community and believes in fairness and recognizes the value of inclusiveness. Participation by all is encouraged. The JCC celebrates a diverse society of cultures, beliefs, and perspectives that strengthens us as an organization and a people.

With a membership of almost 9000 individuals, the JCC is located on a beautiful campus, shared with the Jewish Federation of Greater Indiana, that includes a 150,000 sq. ft. facility encompassing an expanded early childhood program, two indoor pools and an outdoor water park, three indoor tennis courts, a 25,000 sq. ft. fitness center, a robust cultural arts program, a full complement of classes in arts, fitness and wellness, and programs for children, teens, and adults.  Thanks to the generosity of its donors, funders, members, and partners, the JCC is a valuable resource, having a direct impact on the Greater Indianapolis community. It educates more than 100 infants through Pre-Kindergarten in the Level 3 Paths to Quality program using the campus’ wooded acres, playgrounds, and fitness center to provide stimulating and fun experiences. It serves 300 school-age children with after-school care and all-day summer camp. Swimming and tennis lessons are provided for over 5,000 youth and adults. Cultural Arts programming is a hallmark, offering 50 author appearances, film screenings, performances, and art openings throughout the year. The JCC employs 150 staff, including facilitating the development of life skills for about 100 additional young adults who work as lifeguards or camp counselors each summer.

About the City of Indianapolis

Indianapolis is a large midwestern city with a small-town feel.  It is the state capital and Indiana’s most populous city. It has a very affordable cost of living, 15% under the national average, with excellent schools and universities and is a great place to raise a family. It boasts a slow-paced lifestyle with many big-city amenities and a four-season climate. Indianapolis has a population of just under one million and a Jewish population of 18,000-20,000 people.  It is a big sports town, having just hosted the NBA All-Star Game. It is also known as the Amateur Sports Capital of the World and the Racing Capital of the World hosting three of the world’s highest-attended single-day events: the Indy 500, the Brickyard 400 and the U.S. Grand Prix Formula One race. Other professional sports include the Indiana Pacers, the Indianapolis Colts, Indianapolis Indians minor league baseball and Indy Fuel minor league hockey. It was recently named one of the top five foodie cities in the U.S. and the vibrant downtown area is growing as an arts and cultural center, with the largest and one of the best Children’s Museums in the U.S. Indianapolis has a very accessible airport, winning best airport in North America 11 years in a row, and is within easy driving distance of several other major cities, including Chicago, Cincinnati, and Louisville.

CEO Competencies

Provides Exemplary Executive Leadership

The CEO will be a warm and engaging leader who is accessible and listens to all viewpoints, demonstrates confidence, and manages through a positive approach. The CEO must be a highly accomplished relationship builder, comfortable with all levels of constituencies from the most seasoned lay leaders to new young leadership, staff, members, and those not yet engaged. The CEO will be a good listener, considering all viewpoints. The CEO will lead efforts directed toward the engagement of community among individuals, agencies, synagogues, the Jewish Federation and United Way, and other community organizations in the city of Indianapolis. A forward-thinking individual, the CEO will promote a culture of innovation and inclusion and be a change agent to create on-going excitement for the JCC.

Displays Financial Acumen
The CEO will develop a realistic annual operating budget in partnership with the Finance Committee, the CFO, and Board of Directors. Using financial statements to guide and oversee agency performance, the CEO must remain flexible, making necessary changes to ensure financial stability. The CEO, in collaboration with the CFO, will oversee all financial matters including annual and long-term budgeting, ongoing financial forecasting, and financial strategy.

Proven Ability in Fundraising and Resource Development

The CEO must engage and steward donors and seek gifts of significance. Entrepreneurial and attuned to donor interests and concerns, the CEO will establish strategies and direct forward-looking practices in donor development to enhance and improve the community’s potential. Highly visible in the community, the CEO will reach out and cultivate new potential donors at all levels, including seeking grants from local and State government, foundations, and support from local businesses.

Demonstrates Skill in Operational Management

The CEO provides leadership to all aspects of the JCC operations and is responsible for the day-to-day management and security of the JCC. This includes an understanding of the physical plant, technical support systems and running the various businesses of the JCC. Visibility and skilled responsiveness to members is essential. The CEO will be decisive in action, adaptable and accountable.

Presents Visionary and Strategic Leadership

The CEO will promote an all-encompassing and compelling vision that captures the energy of the JCC and a robust, engaged and involved community going forward. The CEO will actively engage with other Jewish and secular community organizations, working to support existing collaborative programs and to envision new ways to work together. The CEO must see the big picture and be able to think outside the box – managing current issues while thinking about evolving business models in both the near and long term.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of strategic leadership and management experience in JCCs, Jewish communal organizations, business, and/or non-profit sectors. An advanced degree is preferred.
• Proven ability to build strong and lasting partnerships with Jewish, corporate, religious, and other organizations, including the Jewish Federation and United Way, and engage key stakeholders and diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated track record of fundraising success, including knowledge of and participation in individual donor development, planned giving, grant procurement, capital campaigns, corporate sponsorship, and special events.
• Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach and manage staff and develop high-performance teams and set and achieve strategic objectives.
• Ability to develop and drive both short-and long-term strategy for the organization.
• Dynamic Leader to serve as the public face of the organization.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work with financial data to make key decisions.
• Appreciation and commitment to diversity; works easily with a broad range of people across all aspects of diverse cultures.
• Past success working with a Board of Directors, committees, and volunteers with the ability to cultivate existing relationships and develop new ones.
• General knowledge and understanding of Jewish culture, practices, and tradition.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.

Compensation

A competitive compensation package is available for the successful candidate.

To Apply

Qualified candidates can apply for this position at https://www.jccworks.com/Search.htm?ID=JWHE521  – please include a resume, cover letter and salary requirements.

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Deadline to apply: March 30, 2024 – sooner is preferred