Jewish Louisville Experience
Inaugural Executive Director
Louisville, KY
Salary: $125,000-$135,000
BACKGROUND
The Jewish Louisville Experience (JLE) will be an innovative initiative dedicated to developing and delivering high-quality K-12 Jewish education for children and families in Louisville. JLE’s mission is to establish a strong foundation in Jewish knowledge while fostering a joyful and meaningful connection to Jewish traditions.
The vision for JLE is to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment where instruction is personalized to meet each student at their level, with Hebrew reading as one core focus. Through interactive and immersive programming, JLE will bring Judaism to life, making learning both substantive and memorable.
Beyond the classroom, JLE will be more than an educational experience, also a warm, welcoming community. At JLE, students will form lasting friendships, and parents of Jewish children will come together to build a vibrant, supportive network.
About Louisville
Louisville is a hidden gem, often described as “the perfect mix of city and town.” Known for its rich history, booming arts scene, and world-famous events like the Kentucky Derby, Louisville has something for everyone. The job market is diverse, with growing opportunities in healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. Louisville has the charm of the South and the kindness of the Midwest; it offers a welcoming and vibrant environment, an ideal place to live and build community.
The Jewish community in Louisville is known for its strength, inclusivity, and deep-rooted history. With a well-established presence in the city, it offers a strong sense of connection through vibrant synagogues and cultural organizations. With deeply committed professionals and residents the community provides diverse opportunities for worship, learning, and social engagement. The city also boasts a strong commitment to philanthropy, with organizations like the Jewish Federation of Louisville and the Jewish Heritage Fund.
Beyond its thriving Jewish life, Louisville boasts a diverse cultural scene, including theater, opera, ballet, a lively food scene and college sports. The city’s southern charm is complemented by its scenic location along the Ohio River, historic neighborhoods, and minimal traffic. The parks systems make Louisville a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. Additionally, its central location places it within a six-hour drive of several major cities, including Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Nashville, St. Louis, Columbus, Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, and Charlotte. Despite its many attractions, Louisville and Kentucky consistently rate amongst the most affordable places in the United States to live.
The Position
JLE is seeking an energetic and visionary Executive Director to lead and shape this transformative initiative. This leader will select and implement a compelling, high-impact curriculum that inspires families to prioritize Jewish learning while creating a stimulating, joyful, and meaningful experience for students. This role requires an inspiring and charismatic leader with a proven track record of managing programs and guiding teams within a nonprofit setting.
More than an educational role, this position offers a rare opportunity to build a vibrant hub for Jewish learning and connection—one that fosters a deep sense of identity, strengthens community bonds, and leaves a lasting impact for generations to come.
The ideal candidate is a strong communicator who can effectively prioritize objectives, align stakeholders, and execute a compelling program that excites students and resonates with families. Collaborating closely with community clergy, funders, and parents, the Executive Director will cultivate a prospering educational environment that fosters Jewish learning, connection, and growth.
ROLE OVERVIEW
Strategic Leadership & Programming
· Develop and implement an innovative, interesting Jewish education program and curriculum for K-12
· Build and maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders (i.e. partners, donors, and families)
· Design and execute effective advertising and recruitment strategies to attract students and families to engage in Jewish life and participate in JLE
· Foster a spirited environment with clear learning goals and impactful educational experiences giving students and a sense of positivity around practicing Judaism
· Be a pied piper for Jewish education across the city, learning from trends across the country and bringing energy and ideas to Louisville
Organizational Management
· Lead and develop staff to foster a positive, high-performing team
· Provide professional development, training and resources for teachers and teachers assistants (madrichim)
Community Engagement
· Solicit input and feedback from parents and guardians to design a program that meets the needs of families with competing priorities
· Create opportunities for families to gather and establish relationships with one another, strengthening their sense of and connection to the community
· Reduce barriers to participation by keeping the program flexible and accessible; captivating Louisville Jews who are not affiliated with synagogues
· Build and nurture relationships with community leaders, partner organizations, and stakeholders to identify emerging needs and opportunities for collaboration
Financial Management & Fundraising
· Oversee financial management and fundraising efforts to ensure long-term sustainability
· Establish relationships with existing and potential donors
About You
· You have the perspective that there is no one right way to experience Jewish life, rather there are many ways, authentically and meaningfully
· You are energetic, charismatic, open minded, and passionate about educating Jewish youth
· You are a relationship builder who is confident, comfortable taking risks and able to make decisions
· You are experienced in managing multiple stakeholders and partnering with different constituents
· You are a self-starter who is collaborative, a team player and a great listener
· You might be described as creative, innovative or an out-of-the-box thinker
Additional Qualifications
· Experience working and/or leading in Jewish educational or Jewish communal organizations
· Experience supervising part-time and full-time staff
· Demonstrated proficiency in effective written and oral communication
· Excellent organizational skills: ability to prioritize work, manage time and multiple priorities, and meet deadlines
· Sound professional judgment with tact, humility, and flexibility in attitude and openness to differing points of view
· Experience with or enthusiasm for learning fundraising fundamentals, including individual solicitations.
WHO WE ARE
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
JLE is an equal opportunity employer—we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Salary: $125,000-$135,000 commensurate with experience. The Executive Director will have the opportunity to participate in a community health, dental and vision plan managed by the Federation.
TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS
If you are interested in this position, please click here. All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application.
We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply even if you do not meet all the qualifications outlined above. We recognize that no one excels in every area, we value individuals who bring strong expertise in key areas and demonstrate a willingness to grow and develop in others. If you are selected to move forward for an initial screening call, we expect you to hear from us by April.
Shanna Jadwin
Talent Consultant
Sarah Raful Whinston
Partner
Dave Yi
Associate
Submit an application HERE.