WHAT WE DO
Jewish Family Service (JFS) is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, healthier, more resilient San Diego. Founded in 1918, we are one of San Diego’s most impactful non-profit human services agencies, providing resources and support to over 95,000 people every year. Our broad network of staff, volunteers, supporters, and community partners are committed to the pursuit of one shared goal: helping individuals and families in San Diego move forward.
JFS welcomes people of all backgrounds, assisting them to build stable and dignified lives. Together, we can create a stronger, healthier community where everyone can thrive. Our wide range of integrated services empowers people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds to move toward self-sufficiency, support aging with dignity, and foster community connection and engagement throughout San Diego, Orange, and Riverside Counties. Today, JFS is stronger than ever, with more than 500 team members who are supported by nearly 1,500 volunteers annually. This enables us to provide an incredibly comprehensive range of services, from food assistance and transportation to counseling and career coaching - nearly 30 different programs in all.
LEADERSHIP & CULTURE
JFS is led by an exceptional executive team, dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusivity, learning, and growth. Our focus is to create a highly supportive environment where team members can do their very best work. The Chief Administrative Officer will serve on the executive team, reporting directly to the CEO. This is an exciting time to join JFS as we embark on a carefully planned leadership transition. In June of 2025, CEO Michael Hopkins will retire after an incredible 13 years at the helm of JFS. The board has selected COO Dana Toppel, who brings over 15 years of experience at JFS, to succeed Michael as part of a thoughtful and strategic transition plan that is currently underway. In a recent press release announcing the transition Dana shared, “JFS provides vital hope and help. I look forward to continuing the wonderful work that JFS does alongside our staff, board of directors, volunteers, and supporters to expand hope and help to as many people as possible in the coming years.” The Chief Administrative Officer will report to Dana.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Salary – $155,000 - $185,000
- Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees
- Generous 401(k) contributions
- Life insurance
- Generous paid time off and sick leave: 15 paid holidays, 3 paid floating holidays, 2 paid wellness days
- 4:00 pm close time every Friday
LOCATION
This is primarily an in-person role with some flexibility to work remotely, based at JFS’s head office located at 8804 Balboa Ave., San Diego, CA 92123.
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the CEO and managing a $4.1 million budget, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) will oversee three direct reports (Director of Special Projects, VP of People and Culture, and VP of Operations) with responsibility for an overall team of 24 staff members. This is a newly created role, responsible for many key business areas including oversight of our HR function, leading our automation process improvements, enhancing organizational culture, and implementing team building and belonging initiatives. The CAO will play an essential role across the entire organization by leading the strategy, management, and evaluation of JFS’s internal operations. As a member of the executive team, the CAO will be an inherent leader in guiding JFS’s purpose and supporting JFS in continuing to be the region’s leading social impact agency, by collaboratively driving organizational growth and effectiveness. Serving as a key advisor to the CEO, the CAO will use their leadership, cross-functional thinking, and listening skills, combined with operational, and customer service experience to support JFS’s impact helping change lives across San Diego, Orange, and Riverside Counties.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and implement administrative and communication strategies that align with the organization’s mission, goals, and values.
- Oversee the development and implementation of people-focused HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and standards.
- Lead initiatives to enhance staff recruitment, retention, development, and performance management.
- Collaborate with executive leadership to continuously refine advancement strategies, improve operations, and ensure strong fiscal management.
- Cultivate relationships and establish partnerships JFS’s many programs, encouraging knowledge sharing, resource utilization, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Coach and mentor staff with a focus on encouragement, empowerment, and initiative.
- Oversee maintenance, security, and space planning activities for the organization’s facilities, ensuring they meet operational needs and safety standards.
- Manage relationships with landlords, property managers, and service providers.
- Develop and implement risk management strategies to mitigate organizational risks.
- Create and deliver inclusive policies and programs to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture.
- Lead and mentor a team dedicated to promoting belonging initiatives and addressing diversity challenges across all organizational levels.
- Collaborate with senior leadership to integrate belonging strategies into the company's mission, vision, and operational practices.
BACKGROUND PROFILE
- Embraces JFS’s purpose, mission, and values, with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion while fostering a culture of belonging.
- Progressive leadership experience at the C-Suite or senior management level, with demonstrated success in building and leading teams.
- Dedicated to collaboration and continuous listening and learning at all levels inside and outside the organization.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, program design, implementation, and evaluation, with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities and a data-driven mindset.
- Innovative, strategic, cross-functional thinker with a strong desire to move towards implementation and action by creating systems.
- A strong relationship-builder who can actively listen, engage, and effectively communicate with a range of audiences including peers, staff, board, funders, partners, and people who speak different languages or with diverse backgrounds or beliefs.
- Keen awareness of the environment and dynamics within the nonprofit sector throughout San Diego, Riverside, and Orange Counties, and the broader ecosystem
