Director of Operations at Atra: Center for Rabbinic Innovation

Director of Operations at Atra: Center for Rabbinic Innovation

Who We Are

Working at Atra: Center for Rabbinic Innovation means joining a lean, dynamic team passionate about visionary spiritual leadership and fostering a thriving Jewish future. Atra empowers rabbis to lead with purpose and adapt to the evolving needs of the Jewish community, driving transformational change.

As a central platform and network, we train and support rabbinic leaders from all backgrounds and denominations, providing career growth, adaptive practice training, and evidence-based research to elevate the field of rabbinic leadership. With exponential growth in our programs and reach, we are entering the final year of our three-year strategic plan. At this pivotal stage, Atra is transitioning from a start-up to a structured organization, building the tools and systems to support sustainable, long-term impact.

We seek a Director of Operations to lead the rollout and optimization of our operational infrastructure, ensuring it aligns with our mission and supports our continued growth.

*Atra is fiscally sponsored by Hillel International which means that you will be managed and report to Atra, but your legal employment and benefits will be through Hillel International.

Who You Are and What You'll Do

You’re energized by Atra’s mission and thrive in a start-up environment where growth and change are constant. You’re a detail-oriented, strategic thinker, and can anticipate needs and act on them. You excel at balancing structure with flexibility, are highly organized, and know that being a team player is essential in a fast-growing organization. You see opportunities where others might see challenges and are eager to support Atra’s ambitious goals with both innovation and precision. You are an experienced professional who can manage your work independently for a hybrid remote/in-person position.

This dynamic full-time role is best suited to a strategic thinker and detail-oriented do-er who excels in project management, has a way with words, appreciates varied responsibilities and is eager to contribute to a growing nonprofit organization creating large-scale change in the Jewish community.

The Director of Operations will report directly to the Executive Director and will oversee consultants, working to ensure effective communication, delegation and workflow. This is a hybrid NY-based position and will have weekly in-person time at our NYC offices.

You’re a Strategic, Detail-Oriented Operational Leader:

• Oversee the rollout of our new and still growing organizational systems, supporting data management, reporting, communications, and streamlined project management and operations.
• Manage cross-departmental workflows, collaborating with the ED and leadership team to keep priorities, resource and time allocations aligned with organizational goals and strategy.
• Lead operational processes for financial tracking, reporting, and budget management, working closely with Hillel Finance to ensure compliance and timely reporting.

You’re a Systems Integrator and Problem Solver:

• Manage the integration of project management tools (e.g., Asana) and the CRM, ensuring they support our strategy and goals, data accuracy, reporting, and efficient operations across departments.
• Coordinate with external consultants and vendors to continually optimize workflows and infrastructure, ensuring seamless operations for a remote/hybrid team.
• Oversee vendor relationships and space and equipment management, ensuring our operational needs are supported by effective and well-managed resources.

You’re a People-Centric HR Leader and Culture Builder:

• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and employee relations, partnering with Hillel International and Atra’s managers to create an efficient and inclusive hiring process.
• Maintain and update the employee guidelines and oversee review processes that reflect Atra’s values and Hillel’s current policies, fostering an inclusive and mission-aligned workplace culture.
• Identify and implement professional development initiatives that support team growth and align with organizational goals.

You’re an Effective Communicator and Organizer:

• Lead cross-functional team meetings, facilitate collaboration, and ensure follow-ups are tracked and carried out to completion.
• Prepare operational updates and reports for the board, tracking organizational KPIs and ensuring leadership is informed of key progress.
• Foster clear and collaborative communication across teams, organizing internal meetings and facilitating implementation of new initiatives and priorities.
• Support the ED and leadership team by staying two steps ahead, identifying needs, and stepping in wherever necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, nonprofit management, or a related field required; advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 8+ years of experience in operations, HR, financial management, or nonprofit project management.
• Proven ability to balance strong attention to detail with flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic, evolving environment, and to prioritize and manage many projects and tasks.
• Skilled in using data, financial and project management tools (e.g., Asana, Google Suite, accounting software, CRMs) to support cross-functional collaboration.
• Skilled in budgeting and financial tracking utilizing multiple applications as well as Google Suite.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach, with a desire to grow with the organization and embrace new opportunities.
• Able to hold the big picture: the ability to be thorough and keep a positive attitude, even within short timeframes; eager to problem-solve and generate new ideas.
• Professional and friendly demeanor, capable of working effectively with diverse groups of participants and stakeholders.
• Adaptability and strong self-management skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote team.
• What do you bring to the table that we didn’t even know we needed? We want to know about you!

Salary

• $95,000 to $105,000 commensurate with experience

How Atra Takes Care of You 

• Health, vision, dental, and mental health benefits through Hillel International 
• Flexible Spending Account options 
• LTD and Life Insurance Options 
• Unlimited PTO policy 
• Up to 18 weeks of parental leave (after one year of employment) 
• Flexible, remote work hours 
• Office closures for Jewish and US holidays 
• 403(b) 5% Employer Contribution after two years of employment 
• Highly qualified, creative, and go-getter teammates and supervisor 
• A start-up culture that uplifts spiritual leadership, experimentation and reflection, strong feedback loops, calculated risk-taking, transparency, and compassion

Atra is fiscally sponsored by Hillel International. This means that while we are not a program of Hillel, Hillel International serves as Atra’s administrative "home.” Atra employees are part of Hillel International’s payroll and benefits program. Our central headquarters are in New York City with a secondary hub in San Diego, and our national team works remotely, with occasional gatherings in-person. The Director of Operations will have weekly in-person time in our offices in NYC. 

Application Process

The anticipated start date is late January 2024. We encourage applicants from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds to apply bringing any combination of experiences in operations, project management, HR, stakeholder engagement, communications, or development. 

To apply for this position, submit your resume and interest in this work in a cover letter.  Please note in your cover letter which relevant experiences and skills you bring to this role.

Applications will close on Dec 12, 2024. 

Due to the volume of applicants, we will only be able to contact those we will invite to an interview.

• Atra is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that brings varied perspectives and skills to our work. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences who are passionate about our mission and eager to contribute to a thriving, visionary future. We believe that a range of perspectives strengthens our work and drives meaningful impact in the communities we serve.
• Atra strongly encourages applications from individuals with every identity and background, including people of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ people, and people who come from low-income or working-class backgrounds.
• Research shows that women and individuals who hold underrepresented identities tend to only apply to jobs that they believe they meet all of the qualifications for. Job descriptions are aspirational and no one fully meets every bullet listed. If you’ve read this and thought this is you, this might be you -- please apply. We know not everyone who would excel in the position yet has 100% of the skills and qualifications we’ve listed. 

Email hr@atrarabbis.org with any questions.