Senior Director of Jewish Education and Programs

ABOUT THE JCC EAST BAY

The JCC East Bay values hachnasat orchim (providing a welcoming home) for people of all ages and life stages. Inspired by Jewish values, culture, and tradition, we build relationships, foster learning, and offer accessible pathways to Jewish life through programs for all stages of life and for all age groups. After decades of operating our suite of programs in North Berkeley, we recently moved our home for East Bay Jewish life to the East Bay Jewish Community Campus in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland. As part of this move, we are dramatically expanding our programming and activities to spark creativity, nurture identity, and weave together diverse generations, cultures, and organizations—including voices from across global Jewry—into a living tapestry of culture, learning, and kehilla (community) connections. Our flagship campus in the Rockridge neighborhood houses our administrative offices and our award-winning preschool, and while our afterschool programs continue to operate in Berkeley and in several Oakland public schools.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Director of Jewish Education and Programs is an experienced, collaborative, and visionary leader who brings a strong background in Jewish education, experiential learning, program development, and staff leadership. Working closely with the Chief Jewish Education Officer (CJEO), this person plays a key role in translating the JCC East Bay's educational vision into high-quality, engaging, and meaningful programs for children, teens, families, and adults. The Senior Director will provide strategic and operational leadership for designated educational and community programs, supervise and mentor program leaders, and ensure that programs are aligned with the JCC East Bay's mission, educational values, and organizational priorities. The Senior Director reports to the Chief Jewish Education Officer and is a member of the Jewish Education leadership team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Educational and Programmatic Leadership

● Partner with the Chief Jewish Education Officer to translate the JCC East Bay's Jewish educational vision into meaningful, high-quality programs and learning experiences across the organization.

● Lead the implementation of educational priorities and strategic initiatives within these programs; from initial concept and planning to implementation.

● Work collaboratively with program directors and educators to strengthen all aspects of Jewish learning and education within their programs while also developing annual plans, setting program goals, managing resources, and ensuring effective execution.

● Provide hands-on leadership for selected programs and initiatives, including facilitating learning sessions, leading community gatherings, and coordinating special events.

● Ensure program quality through ongoing reflection, observation, evaluation, and continuous improvement, supporting program leaders in setting goals and assessing impact.

● Identify opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and cross-program learning, fostering connections among programs and across different age groups and communities.

● Be available to work occasional evenings andSundays to support programs, events, and community gatherings.

Staff Supervision, Leadership, and Development

● Directly supervise and support the Teen Manager and Dean of Education for Afterschool, as well as additional staff as the organizational structure evolves.

● Collaborate with the CJEO to advance professional learning opportunities that strengthen Jewish educational practice and build staff confidence and capacity.

● Establish clear expectations, goals, and performance measures in partnership with direct reports, and conduct regular check-ins and performance reviews.

● Empower program leaders to take ownership of their programs while providing guidance, accountability, and support in addressing challenges and making decisions.

● Facilitate select Jewish learning experiences for staff, families, teens, and adults, drawing on a strong foundation in Jewish texts, traditions, culture, and experiential education.

● Stay informed about emerging approaches, resources, and trends in Jewish education, informal learning, and community engagement.

Community Partnerships and Engagement

● Build and maintain strong relationships with local Jewish organizations, synagogues, schools, educators, community leaders, and other partners.

● In partnership with the CJEO, develop new collaborations and community initiatives that expand the JCC East Bay's reach and create meaningful opportunities for Jewish connection.

● Represent the JCC East Bay in community meetings, professional networks, and partner gatherings in order to strengthen the organization's presence across the East Bay.

● Collaborate with internal teams to develop programs and events that bring diverse communities together and foster a sense of belonging and shared responsibility.

● Identify opportunities for collaborative programming, shared resources, and community-wide initiatives that advance the JCC East Bay's mission.

Administration, Operations, and Organizational Collaboration

● Oversee and support program leaders in developing and monitoring program budgets, calendars, staffing plans, enrollment goals, and operational priorities.

● Monitor program performance and use feedback, participation data, and evaluation tools to inform planning and continuous improvement.

● Ensure that programs under their supervision adhere to relevant organizational policies, safety requirements, licensing standards, and other applicable regulations, in partnership with the appropriate organizational staff.