Chief Programming & Operations Officer

Purple Unicorn•Boynton Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, FL

About The Position

Purple Unicorn , on behalf of The Mandel JCC is seeking a Chief Programming & Operations Officer (CPOO) who is an exemplary leader, providing strategic vision and direction for the organization, while also managing all aspects of agency operations. The CPOO will partner with the President & CEO in leading the Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches to reimagine agency-wide programming beyond the pandemic as the premier destination for Jewish life in Palm Beach, Florida. A forward thinking, energetic individual, the CPOO will promote a culture of innovation and inclusion and be a change agent to create ongoing excitement for the JCC and the community. This leader will balance operational rigor with programmatic vision, ensuring that programs are not only executed effectively, but also thoughtfully designed to meet the evolving needs of the community. The CPOO will collaborate closely with program leaders to drive innovation, accountability, and long-term impact across all sites. The ideal candidate brings deep operational leadership experience combined with the ability to think strategically about programs and community engagement. They are comfortable both running the day-to-day and partnering with program leaders to shape what comes next. Experience within Jewish communal organizations, JCCs, or similarly complex nonprofit environments is strongly preferred.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required with 8+ years of senior leadership experience in a JCC, Jewish communal organization, complex nonprofit, or comparable mission-driven environment; advanced degree preferred
Demonstrated success leading large, multidisciplinary teams and fostering a high-performance, accountable, and collaborative culture
Strong strategic leadership skills, with the ability to develop and execute short-and long-term organizational strategies aligned with mission and financial sustainability
Proven experience partnering with boards, committees, volunteers, and senior stakeholders, and strengthening governance relationships
Deep understanding of Jewish culture, traditions, and communal life, with experience engaging diverse Jewish audiences across the lifecycle
Experience overseeing high-quality, multi-generational programming, including preschool through senior adult offerings
Strong financial acumen, including the ability to interpret financial data, oversee budgets, and make fiscally responsible decisions
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain external partnerships with community, corporate, government, and nonprofit organizations
Dynamic, empathetic, and inspiring leadership presence, capable of serving as both an internal leader and external representative of the organization
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, with the ability to work effectively across backgrounds, ages, and perspectives
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey vision, priorities, and expectations

Responsibilities

Provide Exemplary Executive Leadership. The CPOO will be relentlessly optimistic in pursuit of the JCC's mission, while balancing aspirational goals wit realistic expectations and accountability. They will lead with empathy, competence, and trust. Their sound judgment will permeate through all significant aspects of planning, decision making, and problem-solving. They will be a highly accomplished relationship builder, comfortable with all levels of constituencies from the most seasoned lay leaders to new young leadership, professional staff, general members, and those not yet engaged
Demonstrate Skill in Operational Management
Present Strategic Vision and Leadership
Display Financial Acumen The CPOO will develop a realistic annual operating budget in partnership with the CEO, Finance Committee and Board of Directors. Using financial statements to guide and oversee agency performance, the CPOO must remain flexible, making nnecessary changes to ensure financial stability. The CPOO will oversee all financial matters including annual and long-term budgeting, ongoing financial performance, and financial strategy.
Display Sound Staff Management Skills. The CPOO will lead, coach, attract and retain a high-performance senior management team. The CPOO will create a positive culture of productivity, communication, collaboration, and accountability. The CPOO will foster an environment where staff feel they can take risks in aspiring toward excellence in all areas of programming and will challenge staff to continually improve their lines of business, while growing professionally. The CPOO will help staff to lead, and not just manage.
The CPOO is responsible for day-to-day management of the JCC and will establish short and long-range goals that are strategic, programmatic, fiscally responsible, and align with the JCC's mission. They will be decisive in action, adaptable and accountable. Their knowledge and management skills in agency oversight, marketing and communications, and programming, as well as visibility and skilled responsiveness to our community members is essential. The CPOO will work in tandem with the President & CEO carrying out the Mandel JCC’s vision, including key strategic post-pandemic opportunities which focus on the JCC's mission, actively engaging Jewish and secular community organizations, and existing collaborative programs and envision new ways to partner together. The CPOO must see the big picture and effectively manage current issues, while thinking about evolving business models to best serve the community in both the near and long-term.