Location and Job Title:

Chief Program Officer
Louis S. Wolk Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester
1200 Edgewood Ave
Rochester, NY 14618

Principal Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategic Oversight

• Develop and implement a cohesive program strategy to drive growth, enhance community engagement, and align with the JCC's mission of fostering well-being and cultural enrichment.
• Directly oversee core programs, including Early Childhood Education, School Age Programs, Camps, and the Jewish Life Department, ensuring a consistent, high-quality experience across all offerings.
• Lead program teams in developing innovative and mission-aligned curriculum, activities, and outreach efforts, drawing on best practices in program design and pedagogy to foster measurable community impact.
• Guide the EXOS General Manager in the strategic direction of FWAR initiatives, promoting health, wellness, and recreational opportunities that align with member needs and organizational goals.

Marketing & Community Engagement

• Collaborate with the Marketing Department to strengthen brand positioning, expand community outreach, and ensure robust program promotion through SEO, keyword bidding, and data-informed strategies.
• Work to build and expand the JCC's reputation as a central hub for Jewish life and a welcoming space for individuals of all backgrounds, thereby attracting diverse members and fostering a stronger community network.
• Foster partnerships with local organizations, community groups, and cultural institutions to increase program visibility, strengthen ties within the community, and create pathways for new member engagement.
  
  

Development & Financial Stewardship

• Partner with the Development Department to align programming initiatives with fundraising objectives, building relationships with donors, foundations, and corporate partners to generate sustainable support for priority program areas.

• Oversee program budgets and financial performance, working closely with the Finance Department to ensure fiscal responsibility and strategic resource allocation.
• Identify new revenue streams and cost-effective approaches to resource management that enhance program sustainability and support long-term growth goals.

Jewish Life Integration

• Oversee the Jewish Life department, which plays a critical role in amplifying Jewish cultural, educational, and social programs within the JCC. This includes infusing traditions and values into functional spaces, creating welcoming Jewish experiences, and engaging the Rochester community in meaningful ways.
• Collaborate with program leaders to integrate Jewish traditions and learning across all JCC programming, fostering inclusivity and strengthening the cultural fabric of our community.

Data-Driven Impact & Strategic Innovation

• Develop and implement key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure program impact, identify growth opportunities, and inform data-driven improvements across all program areas.
• Facilitate regular reviews of program effectiveness, using data analytics and qualitative feedback to assess impact, gauge community needs, and guide strategic adjustments.
• Encourage a data culture within program teams by leveraging insights to drive innovation, set goals, and assess progress, ensuring all efforts align with both department-specific and organization-wide objectives.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualifications

Relationship-Building & Community Leadership: Ability to establish, cultivate, and maintain strong community relationships, promoting an environment of inclusivity and collaboration among patrons, staff, and external stakeholders.

Strategic Visioning & Execution: Proven experience leading large-scale program initiatives, conducting strategic assessments, and organizing teams and resources to drive community impact and revenue growth.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with multiple departments to achieve shared goals, set clear expectations, and foster a supportive and accountable work culture.

Growth-Oriented Mindset: Skilled in active listening and open to feedback; approaches challenges with creativity and resilience.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Demonstrated understanding of the importance of diversity in enhancing the experiences of donors, members, and staff.

Experience & Education Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in a related field is preferred.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 10 years in nonprofit program leadership, management, or strategic development roles, with experience managing budgets, leading diverse program teams, and driving revenue growth.
• Cultural Knowledge: Knowledge of Jewish traditions, culture, and community values is advantageous.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
• Experience with Salesforce and data analysis tools is a plus.
  
  

Technical Skills:

Physical Demands:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Work Environment:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential function of this job.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform within the described work disabilities to perform within the described work environment.While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly exposed to:

• Normal office environment

Salary:

$105,000 - $120,000

Agency Information:

The Louis S. Wolk Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester is excited to announce a newly created position for a Chief Program Officer (CPO). We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to oversee and enhance our diverse program portfolio.

The JCC of Greater Rochester is located alongside the Erie Canal in Brighton and is a 200,000 square foot facility that houses our fitness and aquatics center, a professional theatre, children's center and our camping programming.

We pride ourselves on providing our members with quality educational, cultural arts and social programming, and we are an inclusive community center that welcomes people of all faiths, backgrounds, and ages.

As an essential member of the senior leadership team, the Chief Program Officer will shape and execute the strategic vision across multiple program areas, helping the JCC fulfill our mission to inspire and strengthen the community.

With a primary focus on fee-for-service programming, this role oversees the Wolk Early Childhood Center, School Age Programs (including day camp, before and after-school care), and the Jewish Life department. Additionally, the CPO provides advisory guidance to the EXOS General Manager for Fitness, Wellness, Aquatics, and Recreation (FWAR) and collaborates closely with the Marketing Department to drive community engagement, program visibility, and brand alignment.

This role requires strategic collaboration with the Finance and Development departments to align program growth with financial goals, generate sustainable revenue, and drive organizational impact. The successful candidate will bring a data-driven approach to decision-making, employing quantitative and qualitative metrics to measure program success and inform future initiatives.