Director of Finance and Administration

Background:

For over 150 years, Congregation Beth Elohim (“CBE”) has been one of Brooklyn’s largest and most influential Reform Jewish synagogues. Based in Park Slope Brooklyn, CBE’s membership has grown significantly over the years, currently exceeding 1100+ households. CBE is a thriving, community-based place of worship dedicated to honoring Jewish traditions--a place of learning, a place to socialize, a place to celebrate and a place to actively engage with the world.  

CBE responds to the demands of its multi-generational community and expands the notion of what it means to be a large urban synagogue in the 21st century. A pioneer in modern Jewish education, CBE provides Jewish education to nearly 500 religious school students, almost 200 preschool students, over 250 afterschool children, and through myriad adult learning programs.  In addition, CBE’s vibrant campus houses programs in worship, learning, and service. As a hub for its members and the surrounding community, CBE also engages the greater public in issues related to literature, art, and Israel, convening intellectual conversation, and encouraging community action.  It is a synagogue center energizing and enriching the Jewish community through study, ritual and acts of loving kindness.

Congregation Beth Elohim merged with Union Temple in 2021, resulting in the acquisition of Union’s 11 story historic building located on Eastern Parkway in Prospect Heights.  CBE has direct ownership of the building and is utilizing a number of floors for the Center for New Jewish Culture.  CBE is currently deciding the appropriate leases and/or uses for the remaining floors, and the new Director of Finance will be a key partner in determining the best use of the premises to meet CBE’s financial and programmatic goals.

The Position: 

Congregation Beth Elohim is seeking a dynamic individual with CFO level experience to serve as its new Director of Finance and Administration. Reporting to the Executive Director and accountable to the Treasurer of the Board, this person will be responsible for the day-to-day financial management and accounting functions for CBE and will assist the Treasurer (Officer of the Board), the Executive Director, and the members of the Audit and Finance Committees in budgeting, financial reporting, and administrative functions. Supported by a four (4) person team, this person plays a key role in organizational decision-making by providing a balanced picture of the organization’s finances, identifying where the problems might lie, and what actions may need to be taken.

The successful candidate must be able to work closely and collaboratively with the Executive Director, clergy, staff, and the Board, and be able to integrate smoothly into the senior management at CBE, fitting into the organization’s collaborative and inclusive culture.  They must be passionate about CBE’s work, and be able to work in a collegial, supportive, and direct manner with their subordinates in a spirit of mutual trust.  

The successful candidate must be a highly skilled and experienced financial executive who has held high-level management positions for a number of years, particularly for nonprofits or religious institutions. This person will be a strategic thinker with a collaborative management style who is thoroughly familiar with generally accepted accounting principles. The Director of Finance and Administration has strong interpersonal skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to address and solve problems or issues as they arise. In addition, this individual will be diplomatic, of the highest integrity, and possesses sound judgment as well as a sense of humor.

Specific Responsibilities include:

·       Collaborate with the Executive Director to set long and short-term financial objectives including the annual budget development and monitoring processes.

·       Manage the daily accounting and reporting functions, including the billing and collection of the accounts receivable; supervise the accounts payable and purchasing systems, establishing, and enforcing proper controls and procedures.

·       Serve as a resource for the Board Treasurer and the Executive Director, counseling and partnering with them on matters of fiscal control, regulatory compliance, and monthly budget review meetings.

·       Oversee compilation of information necessary to complete the annual audits.

·       Prepare financial reports for the Board of Directors and the appropriate committees, including the Finance, Audit, and Investment Committees.

·       Manage financial reporting functions including the preparation of financial statements, forecasting, cash flow, actual vs. budget reports & analyses; develop effective fiscal policies, systems and procedures for financial management, reporting, and auditing. 

·       Analyze employee benefit plans, health insurance, and deferred compensation options.

·       Manage annual insurance (property, casualty and liability, and D&O) renewals and claims reporting.

·       Ensure all finance policies and procedures are documented, communicated and reflective of current practices and comply with all federal, state, and local rules and regulations for New York and other states as appropriate. 

Qualifications:

·      The ideal candidate will have 8 - 10 years of financial management experience as the top finance leader of an organization.

·      Experience in the non-profit sector and/or with religious institutions strongly preferred.

·      Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting; MBA/CPA a plus.

·      High level of emotional intelligence and capable of managing difficult situations with tact and diplomacy.

·      Knowledge and experience with accounting and GAAP.

·      Excellent skills in problem solving and critical analysis.

·      Strong business instincts, able to quickly identify problems, synthesize a variety of factors to make effective and practical decisions and develop an appropriate course of action.

·      Proven high standards of performance, and eager to pursue aggressive goals, working hard and smartly to achieve them. Must be persistent, decisive, resourceful, proactive, and results oriented.

·      Understands programmatic activity and has the ability to convey information to people with varying levels of financial expertise.

·      Strong written and oral communicator with excellent presentation and organizational skills.

·      Ability to work well in teams as well as independently and must be able to collaborate and build consensus internally and externally.

·      Strong attention to detail and ability to work well under pressure.

·      Flexible work style and an interest in being part of a dynamic and evolving organization.

·      Proficient in financial modeling & accounting packages; must have knowledge of accounting software and systems, including a working knowledge of Shul Cloud and other financial software, including INTACT, Bill.com and Expensify.

Other Information:

Projected salary range is:  $175K TO $200K, plus benefits.

This position requires candidates to be on-site four days a week with occasional nights and weekends.  You must be comfortable traveling to Brooklyn to be in the office in a timely manner.

All positions at CBE are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  All are encouraged to apply.  

To Apply: 

Congregation Beth Elohim has retained the services of Harris Rand Lusk to conduct this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to:

Anne McCarthy, Chief Operating Officer

Harris Rand Lusk

260 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor

New York, NY  10016

Email cover letter and resume to: amccarthy@harrisrand.com

Please include “CBE DoF” in the subject line of the email