Principal Responsibilities:

To apply, please send cover letter and resume to Irina Khomina at I.Khomina@jcca.org

Position Summary

The Sheva Center serves JCC early childhood programs which are the largest platform of Jewish early childhood education in North America, touching thousands of young lives annually. The foundation of the Sheva Center's work is the JCCs of North America Early Learning Framework built on seven core elements of early childhood education and encompassing seven Jewish lenses. The Sheva Center empowers early childhood center leadership teams and classroom educators through a diversity of professional development opportunities in order to position JCC early childhood education centers as examples of excellence. The Director of the Sheva Center will build on over a decade of innovation to create a vision and strategic direction for the Sheva Center in concert with the direction and priorities of JCC Association.

The Sheva Center Director is a JCC Association Vice President who reports to the JCC Association Executive Vice President and leads and manages all aspects of the department, including supervision of the Sheva Center team, implementation of the Early Learning Framework, mentorship and pedagogical support for early childhood educators and leadership teams, and collaboration with early childhood professionals in strengthening the field of early childhood Jewish education. The Sheva Center team includes the Director of Family Engagement and the Program Associate. The team collaborates with other departments to further JCC Association goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Develop the Vision and Direction for the Sheva Center

• Understand the trends and latest research in early learning.
• Assure that the Early Learning Framework remains current and relevant.

Build and Support the JCC Early Childhood Network

• Build trust-based relationships with early childhood directors to understand their motivations, concerns, and needs in order to set priorities for engaging and lifting the field.
• Ensure appropriate supports, needs, and consultation requests are met for our early learning centers.
• Identify and implement opportunities to convene the field to provide for ongoing learning and development regarding best practices to advance the field, including regional conferences and workshops, and regular study and learning cohorts.
• Implement systems to connect early childhood professionals to each other for peer support and inspire them to grow their practice.
• Create ongoing methods and touchpoints to stay connected with the field.
• Partner with JCC Executive Directors to advance the work of the Sheva Center and its philosophy.

Partner across JCC Association and with the Jewish Early Childhood Education Field

• Plan for, and participate in, JCC Association conferences, as appropriate, to maximize the impact of the Sheva Center.
• Serve as the champion of the Sheva Center with JCC Association's professional and lay leaderships as appropriate to maximize support and knowledge of the work of the Sheva Center.
• Understand and support the role of Israel in the North American early childhood centers.
• Partner with organizations outside JCC Association to advocate for our field and bring new and cutting edge opportunities for the field.
• Represent JCC Association at continental conferences or meetings of early childhood professionals.
• Work in partnership with JCC Association development staff to seek funding partners for grants to support Sheva Center operations and special projects.

Compensation and Benefits:

A salary range of $120,000 to $140,000 based on experience.

• Medical and dental insurance
• Paid vacation
• Eight paid federal holidays, up to 13 paid Jewish holidays, and early closing for Shabbat, and three Jewish holidays
• Sick leave, family leave, medical leave, jury duty leave, and bereavement leave
• Flexible medical and dependent care benefits
• Pre-tax salary deductions for transit
• Short- and long-term disability
• Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, supplemental life insurance
• Retirement plan

Additional Information:

JCC Association staff currently work in a hybrid environment. Remote candidates are encouraged to apply. This position requires frequent travel to JCC Association offices in NYC, individual JCCs for consultations, and various conferences.

Sheva Center: Innovation in Early Childhood Jewish Education and Engagement

The Sheva Center supports JCC early education professionals in promoting and sustaining the best in early childhood Jewish education and engaging families on their Jewish journeys. The Sheva Center guides JCCs and provides on-site and virtual consultations tailored to the needs of each school. The Sheva Center also supports JCC Association's Family Engagement Initiative to engage families with young children and collaborates with other national organizations focused on the professional development of Jewish early childhood education.

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualifications

Ideal candidates for this position will bring a visionary and dynamic perspective to advance the Sheva Center's current work and establish its strategic direction. They will thrive on building relationships with early childhood educators and professionals through reflective, empathetic listening and serving as a trusted guide who is open-minded and open-hearted. Ideal candidates will simultaneously be inspirational communicators and continuous learners. They believe deeply in child-centered learning and are passionate about supporting early childhood educators and professionals to create meaningful experiences for children and families. They share a commitment to advancing and enriching North American Jewish life, particularly with regard to advancing early childhood Jewish education and family engagement as a means to building our Jewish communities of the future.

Requirements

• A masters' degree in early childhood education.
• 7-10 years' Jewish early childhood experience, including pedagogical and director roles.
• Familiarity with the work of the Sheva Center and experience at a Jewish Community Center preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of Jewish traditions and values.
• Experience working in a collaborative environment within and between organizations.
• Experience supporting grant funding requests.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience preparing and working within a budget.

Salary:

$120,000 - $135,000

Agency Information:

JCC Association of North America leads and connects the JCC Movement, advancing and enriching North American Jewish life. With 1.5 million people walking through the doors of more than 170 Jewish Community Centers and Jewish Community Camps (JCCs) each week, the JCC Movement is the largest platform for Jewish engagement on the continent. JCC Association, the convening organization of this dynamic network, partners with JCCs to bring together the collective power and knowledge of the entire JCC Movement, including 12,000 full-time and 41,000 part-time and seasonal professionals. By supporting them, together we enhance and strengthen Jewish life throughout North America. Learn more at JCCA.org or on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

JCC Association of North America commits to build, nurture, and elevate a culture of belonging in which we welcome, recognize, and celebrate people of all abilities and identities in accessible, safe settings throughout the JCC Movement. JCC Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer.