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Executive Search
Current Executive Searches:
Executive Director—Brandeis-Genesis Institute for Russian Jewry at Brandeis University
Mersky, Jaffe & Associates, a national executive search and consulting firm, has been engaged to conduct a search for an Executive Director of the Brandeis-Genesis Institute for Russian Jewry which was established in 2009.
The Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG), a foundation dedicated to strengthening Jewish identity among Russian-speaking Jews worldwide, has committed up to $10.8 million to Brandeis University to establish the Brandeis-Genesis Institute for Russian-speaking Jewry (BGI) and to provide scholarships at Brandeis for undergraduate and graduate students. The mission of the Brandeis-Genesis Institute (BGI) is to prepare Russian-speaking Jews from around the world to become effective community leaders fortified by Jewish knowledge, a systematic understanding of Russian Jewry, and a commitment to the future of the Jewish people. For more information, visit www.brandeis.edu/bgi.
Founded in 1948, Brandeis University is named for the late Louis Dembitz Brandeis, a distinguished associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, and reflects the ideals of academic excellence and social justice he personified. Brandeis is the only nonsectarian Jewish-sponsored college or university in the United States. Located just west of Boston, Brandeis is a member of the Association of American Universities, and is consistently ranked among the world’s top liberal arts, research institutions. For more information on Brandeis University and its global presence, visit www.brandeis.edu/globalbrandeis.
Reporting to the Vice President for Global Affairs, and in collaboration with faculty and University administrators, the Executive Director will set the academic direction, develop strategy, goals, refresh and implement the programmatic thrusts of the Institute. Key tasks will be to lead efforts to recruit and mentor BGI fellows, manage the development and monitor performance of programs for Fellows, maintain BGI’s relationship with external funders, as well as relevant members of the University and external communities. The Executive Director will be expected to create and maintain sound business and organizational models that promote and support the organization’s mission and vision and to manage additional staff and contractors. He or she may contribute to the teaching and research mission of the BGI and of Brandeis University.
The Executive Director will be required to perform in day-to-day settings that offer both the challenges of academic and strategic thinking and hands-on attention to essential tasks required to meet organizational goals. Knowledge of, and experience in, nonprofit management, experiential Jewish education, commitment to the Jewish community, higher education and the ability to move comfortably between traditional and non-traditional organizational and community circles is critical to the success of this position.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership, Executive Management and Operations
Primary
- Serve as the lead professional responsible for the staff, organizational planning and evaluation, program design and implementation, recruitment, community relations and fiscal accountability.
- Translate the vision and strategy into measures of impact and operational effectiveness. Work, as necessary, with program evaluators as required by terms of grant agreements.
- Establish the Institute’s operational capacity including identifying and addressing administrative/support needs, and setting up systems, procedures, and technology.
- Monitor the budget and financial status of the Institute and ensure appropriate and timely reporting, projections and review.
Secondary
- Assist and advise the University in raising, framing and deciding on policy and operational issues.
- Manage relationships with stakeholders.
- Recruit, supervise and evaluate additional staff.
Program Development and Implementation
Primary
- Work with other Brandeis personnel to design and implement a recruitment strategy that will develop and use networks to identify Russian-speaking Jewish candidates for BIMA, Genesis, Brandeis University undergraduates and Hornstein Program applicants
- Develop and implement a best-in-class fellowship program, building upon the strengths of similar programs at Brandeis and in operation at other universities.
- Design, plan, and lead retreats, individual learning plans and other programs and group sessions using input from key sources and stakeholders.
Secondary
- Establish an alumni follow-up program
- Provide ongoing coaching, advice, guidance and support to fellows and serve as a role model.
Academic Leadership
- Work with the BGI faculty committee to develop learning goals for BGI undergraduate fellows and other students associated with the BGI, and create programming to help achieve those goals.
- Incorporate Jewish content as well as Russian-Jewish component as key pillars of the fellowship to ensure that the BGI delivers a distinct Jewishly engaging program with deep understanding of Russian-Jewish community.
- As appropriate, engage in research and teaching related to Russian Jewry.
Community and External Relations
- Develop and implement a marketing and communications plan for the Institute to raise visibility, assist the fellows, and position the Institute to attract a community of supporters and interest from prospective students.
- Serve as the primary spokesperson of the BGI and establish a role as a leading voice of, and advocate for, the Russian-speaking Jewish community.
- Develop and maintain strong alliances and relationships with other organizations working with the Russian-speaking Jewish community
- Develop a strategic and structured approach to creating access for the fellows to the established Jewish community
- Cultivate relationships with funders, donors and other potential supporters for possible program expansions to be determined based on operations and future needs.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience required; Ph.D. preferred;
- Comfort and experience in the roles of leader, decision-maker, facilitator, connector, coach and advisor;
- Strategic thinker with keen insights and instincts regarding organizational needs and realities;
- Academic experience and/or experience in higher education, adult learning and the development of curricular materials, learning experiences and courses;
- Native fluency in Russian language is required;
- Demonstrated, in-depth knowledge of specificity, needs and dynamics of the North American Russian-speaking Jewish community;
- Knowledge of Judaic sources, Jewish history/culture and the ability to create meaningful Jewish experiences is highly preferred. Open to the diversity of expressed Jewish values, traditions and ritual practice;
- Prior experience in a management capacity with an established organization;
- Familiarity or direct involvement with start-up ventures, creating and launching new organizations or major initiatives is preferred;
- Skills and experience in organizational, administrative and financial management;
- Disciplined and flexible leader able to function in, and adjust to, times of change and meet new challenges;
- Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a fast paced environment;
- Theoretical and practical experience that can be translated into success in coaching and working with young start-up organizations, entrepreneurs and/or emerging organizational leaders;
- Success in building and coordinating as well as manage small team efforts;
- Ability to initiate and cultivate relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders and constituent groups;
- Persuasive communicator and motivator with strong written, verbal and analytical skills; and
- Willingness and ability to travel as needed.
If you know of anyone who might be a suitable candidate for this unique position, please forward the person’s name and contact information directly to David A. Mersky at the address below. If you wish to apply personally, please submit a cover letter and resume or curriculum vita to David at david@merskyjaffe.com.