Description
Executive Director
Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation | Bethesda, Maryland
Organizational Overview
Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation is a vibrant, participatory synagogue located in Bethesda, Maryland, with an annual budget of approximately $2 million and 440 member households drawn from across the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The congregation serves as a central hub for worship, education, and community life, supported by clergy, professional staff, and a Board of Directors.
Following the departure of its long-standing Executive Director, the congregation seeks an accomplished and collaborative executive to lead the organization’s next phase of growth.
Position Overview
Adat Shalom seeks an experienced Executive Director (ED) to provide steady, values-driven leadership. This full-time position requires a collaborative leader who can advance our mission while managing day-to-day operations and supporting our community's spiritual, educational, and social initiatives.
The Executive Director operates within a shared leadership model involving clergy and lay leaders. Success in this role requires the ability to build trust quickly, navigate complex relationships with discretion, and maintain clear boundaries while fostering alignment.
As a key member of the leadership team, the ED will work collaboratively with the Board of Directors, Senior Rabbi, other clergy, staff, and congregants to sustain and strengthen the synagogue’s participatory culture and operations. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, organizational, financial, and people management competency along with strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, discretion, and a collaborative approach.
This role emphasizes operational excellence, team stability, consistent leadership presence as well as a commitment to empowering member volunteers while supporting the strategic and programmatic vision of the organization.
Organizational Structure & Reporting
The Executive Director reports to the Board President and has the following direct reports:
Administrative/office staff (1.0 FTE)
Program, membership and communications staff (3.0 FTEs)
Facilities personnel (2 FTEs plus hourlies)
Contracted service providers (e.g., security, bookkeeping, accounting, IT, vendors, etc.)
As stated above, the ED maintains key collaborative relationships with:
Clergy
Congregational members
Congregational leaders and volunteers
Board Committees (e.g. Finance, Governance)
Member Driven Committees (e.g. Hospitality, Hesed, Membership, social action)
External vendors and partners
Scope of Work & Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
Oversee day-to-day operations, including administration, communication, marketing and digital presence, facilities, and vendor management
Ensure continuity across core functions
Ensure alignment between congregational values and operational practice
Maintain a visible, steady, and collaborative presence within the community
Support communications, publications, and digital platforms (including website and social media)
Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and effective collaboration
Manage risk and ensure adequate insurance protection for the organization
Develop, maintain and ensure accuracy of CRM and membership portal
Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory and safety requirements
Working with clergy and staff, coordinate life cycle events, programming, and facility usage with member volunteers and member-driven committees
Staff & Human Resource Management
Supervise and evaluate direct report staff and contractors
Lead hiring and onboarding for key roles
Clarify/define roles, responsibilities, and workflows for all positions
Revise as needed and oversee the performance management system
Ensure effective HR practices, policies are implemented, complied with and updated
Collaborate with the Board’s Personnel Committee and any HR Consultants, as needed
Financial Oversight
Collaborate with the Treasurer and Finance Committee to oversee budget development and day-to-day financial operations
Ensure accurate financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance
Monitor budget performance and maintain budget discipline and transparency
Oversee membership-related financial policies and processes
Participate in and support fundraising efforts, including the Annual Appeal and endowment initiative
Serve as the operational and logistical foundation that enables relationship-based fundraising by the VP of Development and volunteer fundraising leadership
Facilities, Security & Vendor Management
Oversee facility management, maintenance, and security
Coordinate synagogue food service, ensuring health and kashrut compliance
Manage capital projects and contractor/vendor relationships
Coordinate scheduling, space use, and resource allocation
Support long-term facilities planning with Board leadership
Governance & Board Support
Support Board processes and governance practices
Prepare materials for and attend Board meetings
Maintain organizational records and ensure policy compliance
Serve as lead professional for many of the congregation's lay-led committees, partnering with committee chairs and Board liaisons to ensure committees operate within their chartered scope, have what they need to do their work, and understand the distinction between lay voice and professional authority
Participate in committee charter development, annual planning, and budget processes, and ensure that committee activities are coordinated with relevant staff rather than substituting for professional functions
Support the ongoing governance modernization work of the Board, including the implementation of a new committee charter and professional boundary framework across the committee system
Membership & Community Experience
Work closely with the Board’s VP of Community Engagement, the Membership Committee, the Hospitality Committee and the Hesed Committee
Ensure responsive and welcoming engagement with members and prospective members
Facilitate member engagement and retention strategies
Support membership services, educational programming, and volunteer engagement
Serve as a key informational resource for the community
Foster a warm, inclusive and high performing culture to ensure the office and facilities are welcoming to staff, clergy, congregants and visitors
Professional Development
Engage in ongoing learning related to synagogue leadership and nonprofit management
Qualifications & Experience
Required and Preferred Technical Qualifications:
BA in a relevant field plus a minimum of seven years of senior administrative and supervisory experience
Experience in membership-based or nonprofit organizations
Cultural competence and familiarity with Jewish rituals, values and practices
Experience with community organizing and relational approaches
Strong financial management and budgeting expertise
Demonstrated success in staff supervision, hiring, performance management, and team development
Experience managing facilities and vendor relationships
Required Leadership Competencies:
Strong oral and written communication skills
Demonstrated interpersonal skills
Strong organizational and project management skills
Expertise in conflict management and strategic thinking
High level of discretion and ability to manage confidential information
Proficiency in business and information systems—office software, databases and digital communication tools
Comfortable working within a religious/congregational setting
Ability to lead effectively with diverse constituencies in a congregational setting
Demonstrated commitment and ability to work productively with volunteer-led committees — providing professional guidance and accountability while genuinely honoring lay voice and expertise
Clear understanding of the distinction between staff authority and committee advisory function, and the interpersonal skill to maintain that distinction without conflict
Engagement Details
Start Date: October 1, 2026
Schedule: Full-time
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Work Requirements: Regular in-person presence, including Saturdays and evenings
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive compensation, commensurate with experience. Salary range $130,000-$150,000.
Comprehensive benefits package
Professional development opportunities
Vacation and holiday schedule
Working Environment
This position requires evening and weekend work for events and programs that support congregational life. The role involves collaboration with diverse stakeholders including clergy, lay leaders, members, and community partners. Must be comfortable working in a religious environment while respecting diversity and different levels of observance within the congregation.
Application Process
To apply, please submit:
Cover letter addressing relevant leadership experience and salary expectations
Resume or professional profile
Start date availability
Compensation expectations
Submission:
Send materials to: Search Committee at [email protected]
Priority consideration will be given to applicants submitting their resume prior to July 31. An Interim Executive Director is currently in place. All final candidates will be asked to furnish professional references at time of final interviews and will be subject to a criminal background check.Top of Form
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Requirements
See above
