Principal Responsibilities:

POSITION OVERVIEW

This ideal candidate will exude professionalism and empathy, fostering strong, meaningful connections within the school community, across the Kaplen JCC and throughout the wider community. They will inspire students to achieve their goals while instilling values of diligence, creativity, and global awareness. They will possess a proven ability to design and implement comprehensive music curricula and strengths in engaging effectively with learners across a broad spectrum of ages and abilities, using a student-centered approach to guide them on their educational journey with thoughtful care.

The Director of the JCC Thurnauer School of Music shapes the school's vision and culture; and cultivates an inclusive and supportive environment for the staff team, students and families. In addition to their artistic and educational expertise, the ideal candidate will showcase effective leadership and management skills, financial acumen, and the ability to develop and maintain strong fundraising relationships.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Strategic Leadership & Philosophy: Define and uphold an overarching philosophy that cultivates a culture of excellence and inclusivity and shapes a vision that reflects the needs and interests of a diverse student body.

Operational Oversight: Manage the operations of the music department, creating and monitoring an annual budget of $1.6M, and overseeing a team of four full-time staff members, six part-time staff members, and 55 faculty. Advance and monitor administrative processes, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies to optimize operations while ensuring coordination and collaboration with the balance of Kaplen JCC departments.

Resource Development & Fundraising: Serve as lead fundraiser including stewarding current donors, identifying new donors, and managing grant and donation opportunities. Identify and pursue opportunities for foundation and government grant support and prepare compelling proposals to secure additional funding.

Program & Curriculum Development: Design and manage a comprehensive and age-appropriate music education curriculum, accessible to students of all ages and levels. Assess student progress, organize musical events, concerts and performances.

Faculty Recruitment, Management & Guidance: Recruit and hire faculty with strong pedagogical skills and a passion for teaching. Manage and inspire a team of professional educators in a collaborative environment that provides ongoing professional development and constructive feedback

Community & Family Engagement: Build meaningful relationships with parents, faculty, and JCC administrators, promoting open communication and a sense of community. Establish partnerships with local arts and music organizations and ensure a wide-reaching approach to recruitment and enrollment.

Minimum Qualifications:

QUALIFICATIONS & SPECIALIZED SKILLS

• Expertise in advanced music education, including curriculum development and tailored learning plans.
• Effective management of teams, programs, budgets in professional non-profit settings.
• Knowledge of modern education and technologies to enhance operations.
• Advanced collaboration skills with colleagues, musicians, educators, and organizations.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising strategies: donor cultivation, event planning, grant writing.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities to build meaningful relationships with an understanding of social-emotional learning and addressing diverse student needs.
• Experience in community-based work, fostering partnerships, and stakeholder engagement.
• Awareness of Jewish community dynamics and their cultural and religious nuances.
• Capacity to plan and execute impactful events like recitals, master classes, and benefit concerts.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the Director will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by a supervisor or other management, as required. The Kaplen JCC reserves the right to revise or change job duties as needs arise. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The Kaplen JCC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In keeping with our Jewish values, we are dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, citizenship, veteran's status, physical or mental disability that does not prohibit the performance of essential job functions (with or without reasonable accommodation) or any other basis protected by federal, or applicable, state or local law. We are dedicated to ensuring a welcoming and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate.

To Apply: Please send cover letter and resume to: recruiting@jccotp.org.

Salary:

$95,000 - $105,000

Agency Information:

If you are interested in being part of a warm and welcoming professional team focused on ensuring a place of belonging and delivering excellent opportunities to its members and the community, come join our team. The Kaplen JCC on the Palisades (Kaplen JCC) is seeking a visionary and innovative leader for its renowned JCC Thurnauer School of Music to guide it into and through this next phase of its existence.We are seeking a confident and charismatic leader who demonstrates a profound passion for music education, a strength in business management, and a steadfast commitment to nurturing the potential of each student.

KAPLEN JCC ON THE PALISADES

The Kaplen JCC is a welcoming home away from home for all who pass through its doors in Tenafly, NJ and for the wider community. We are a leading nonprofit, charitable organization deeply rooted in Jewish values and tradition and are a vibrant and welcoming home for the Jewish People. We are a place that welcomes all, cultivating the social, intellectual, physical, and spiritual well-being of the entire community. We are a strength-based organization and a supportive environment in which people are treated with respect and positioned to do their best work every day.Our vision is to be the center point of Jewish life in our community and to engage all generations in our mission and values. We serve 3,000 membership units and over 750,000 people each year in our 200,000 square foot building and acres of outdoor grounds and facilities.

JCC THURNAUER SCHOOL OF MUSIC

As one of New Jersey's leading community music schools, the JCC Thurnauer School of Music is open to everyone with a desire to learn about music. Since 1984, the school has inspired thousands of students and families-transforming lives and sharing the joys of music. Through outstanding instruction, concerts, master classes, community events, and partnerships with local schools, Thurnauer offers opportunities for everyone in our community-from infants to senior citizens-to connect with the world of music. The music school serves over 400 students each year, offering a comprehensive program of private lessons for all ages and abilities on piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion and voice; creative musicianship and composition classes; and orchestral, choral, jazz, and chamber ensembles.