Chief Executive Officer

The Chief Executive Officer Position   

Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester   

Summary   

For nearly a century, the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester has served as a cornerstone of Jewish life in the region, sustaining a strong tradition of philanthropy, volunteer leadership, partnership, and communal responsibility. Today, the Federation remains at the center of a dynamic and evolving Jewish community, committed to supporting Jewish continuity and inspiring meaningful Jewish experiences, while maintaining a deep and enduring commitment to Israel and the global Jewish people.   

Rooted in Jewish values and working in close collaboration with agency partners, synagogues, lay leaders, and organizations across both the Jewish and broader community, the Federation plays a central role in shaping a vibrant and inclusive 21st century Jewish Rochester. The Federation engages Jews of all backgrounds — young and old, affiliated and unaffiliated — through collective action, cultural and philanthropic opportunities, and educational programs. Among them are the Jay Birnbaum Leadership Development Program, the offerings available through the Levine Center to End Hate, and ROCStrong, the community’s security initiative.  

The incoming CEO will steward this proud legacy and lead the Federation into its next chapter. Reporting to the Board President and overseeing a professional staff of 24, the CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership, cultivate trusted relationships across sectors, and build on past successes while responding to evolving needs and opportunities. A skilled fundraiser, communicator, and people manager, the CEO will champion innovation, guide organizational change, attract and retain top talent, and ensure the Federation remains a respected and unifying presence within both the Jewish and broader Rochester communities.   

Guiding the work of the CEO will be five strategic impact areas that shape the governance, annual allocations, and staffing for the Federation.  These areas are: caring for people in need, building a flourishing Jewish community, combatting antisemitism, ensuring the safety and security of the community, fostering connections with Israel and global Jewry, and growing the resources to sustain our community.   

The Greater Rochester Jewish Community   

The Rochester area is home to a vibrant and thriving Jewish community of over 19,000 individuals, supported by a deeply committed volunteer base and a robust network of Jewish institutions. It is a place where one can truly “live Jewishly,” with meaningful opportunities for connection, learning, and leadership at every stage of life.   

The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester partners with a broad array of local and global organizations that share its values and mission. Locally, the Federation supports five core beneficiary agencies: the Louis S. Wolk Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Services, Hillel Community Day School, The Jewish Home and local area Hillels including at the University of Rochester, as well as other local colleges and universities. The Federation also supports interfaith relations programs, PJ Library, One Happy Camper and other nationally recognized programs. Rochester is home to 11 vibrant synagogues, as well as four Jewish day schools. The community maintains a strong connection with the people of Modi’in, Israel, through a people-to-people P2G relationship, which recently celebrated a successful 22-year anniversary, a cornerstone of which is the Shinshinim program. 

The Jewish community of Rochester also benefits from the generosity of the Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation, the William and Sheila Konar Foundation, and the Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation — each of which invests significantly in local Jewish initiatives. Their support helps sustain vital programs and institutions, including the Federation and its partners, ensuring the strength and continuity of Jewish life in the region.   

Life in Greater Rochester   

Rochester consistently ranks among the best places to live in the U.S., particularly for families. It has been recognized by both Expansion Management Magazine, which ranked it the top metro area of over 1 million residents and placed its public schools sixth nationwide, and U.S. News & World Report, which named it a top ten city for quality of life in 2023–2024.   

A center of innovation and education, Rochester is home to world-class universities, renowned medical institutions, and a growing technology and entrepreneurial sector. The area boasts a rich cultural scene, including the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Geva Theatre Center, the Strong Museum of Play, George Eastman Museum, and the Memorial Art Gallery. The annual Rochester International Jazz Festival draws talent and audiences from around the world. Nature lovers can enjoy easy access to Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes region, offering exceptional opportunities for skiing, boating, biking, fishing, and year-round outdoor recreation in stunning natural surroundings.   

The CEO Role   

The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester is seeking a visionary and experienced executive to lead a community with a proud tradition and significant potential for continued growth. This is a pivotal moment and a remarkable opportunity for a dynamic leader to shape the future of Jewish life in Rochester.  The Federation is looking for a strategic and relationship-driven CEO who can build on a strong philanthropic foundation and a network of respected Jewish institutions. The new CEO will cultivate trusted relationships across all sectors of the community, honoring tradition while recognizing when innovation and change are needed. Working closely with the Board, professional team, partner agencies, synagogues, and both the Jewish and broader Rochester communities, the CEO will drive the Federation’s mission and long-term impact.   

An inclusive and collaborative people manager, the CEO will promote a culture of teamwork among staff and volunteers and inspire emerging leaders — particularly younger and unaffiliated Jews—to engage in meaningful ways and grow into leadership roles.   

The ideal candidate will be able to compellingly articulate a bold and inspiring vision and translate it into actionable strategies and measurable outcomes. This leader will bring proven experience in managing change, stewarding donor relationships, and expanding the reach and relevance of the Federation for future generations.   

Essential qualifications include outstanding interpersonal skills, demonstrated success in fundraising, strong business and financial acumen, and a deep commitment to Israel, Jewish values, and the ability to implement Federation’s priority impact areas and mission. The CEO will serve as a visible, articulate, and respected spokesperson for the Jewish community. This role reports to the President of the Federation and is accountable to the Board of Directors and its Executive Committee.

Core CEO Competencies   

• Strong Philanthropic Track Record (Prospecting, Soliciting, Stewarding)   

• Strategic Visioning & Execution Ability   

• Nonprofit Operational Management and Governance Experience   

• Expertise in Lay/Professional Partnerships   

• Proven Success in Community Relations & Partnership Building   

• Executive Level Verbal, Written, & Interpersonal Communication Skills   

• Sophisticated Understanding of the Global Jewish Community & Israel   

 Key Responsibilities   
Reporting directly to the Board Chair, the CEO role will work toward the fulfillment of the mission and core values of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester: 

I. Fundraising & Strategic Visioning 

• In close partnership with the Chief Philanthropic Officer, guide strategy for the planning and execution of a total financial resource development model including the annual campaign, supplemental campaigns, ROCStrong, corporate sponsorship and broader resource development.   

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives that secure the future of the Federation and the greater community through the Federation’s foundation.  

• Expand local revenue streams and fundraising initiatives through underwriting and grants to support the community’s needs.   

• Steward and strengthen the Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester’s assets, including donor-advised funds, endowed funds and planned giving, and the ROCStrong Security Fund to ensure long-term community sustainability.   

• Serve as a key major gifts fundraiser, maintaining, growing, and stewarding relationships with existing donors and cultivating new donor prospects.   

• Work in partnership with key staff to understand and oversee the management of the fundraising CRM system (Microsoft Dynamics 365) to ensure it is functioning optimally to track, monitor, and advance campaign progress. 

 

II. Organizational Management & Community Leadership 

• Serve as the spokesperson for the Jewish community, representing its interests within both the Jewish community and interfaith groups.   

• Provide transformational leadership and communal guidance in times of change or challenge.   

• Build buy-in and consensus for organizational and community-wide goals from diverse stakeholders.   

• Oversee financial management, including budgeting, campaign planning, and resource development to maintain fiscal health and sustainability.   

• Organize, lead, and support office management staff in fostering a cohesive and efficient team.   

• Implement best governance practices in partnership with the board.  

 

III. Communications   

• Act as the primary representative of the Jewish community across Greater Rochester, including media appearances.   

• Enhance all aspects of communication, highlighting the accomplishments of the Federation and building a strong brand presence through the Federation’s website, social media, and print.   

• Coordinate publicity efforts to support Federation activities.   

• Publish an Annual Report to showcase achievements and impact for the Federation’s Annual Meeting and broad community dissemination.   

• Collaborate with beneficiary agencies and facilitate connections between Jewish organizations across the Rochester area.   

• Engage and energize volunteers, board members, event committees, partner organizations, synagogues, donors, and the wider Rochester community.  

 

IV. Programming 

• Champion high-quality, innovative, inclusive, and thoroughly evaluated local programming, such as the IGNITE Grants, that advance the Federation’s mission.   

• Regularly assess program components to showcase successes to the board, funders, and other stakeholders.   

• Ensure all community events meet necessary security standards.   

 

V. Planning 

• Working alongside partner agencies and stakeholders, coordinate program planning efforts to align and strengthen overall Jewish community efforts.   

• Serve as an ex-officio member on all committees.   

• Cultivate board involvement in shaping the strategic direction of local operations.  

 

Compensation Package  

Salary Range: $260-$300K  

Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester offers a full suite of benefits, generous PTO, and invests in ongoing professional development for the CEO.   

 The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester is an equal opportunity employer.