Executive Director

The Opportunity

Burquest Jewish Community Association (BJCA) is a welcoming, diverse and growing Jewish community serving the Tri-Cities and surrounding communities in the northeastern Fraser Valley. The BJCA operates the Burquest Jewish Community Centre (BJCC) in Coquitlam.

For more than 40 years, Burquest has provided religious, cultural, educational and social programming, creating opportunities for people and families to connect with Jewish life, build relationships and participate in community. As BJCA enters an important period of growth and organizational development, it is seeking an accomplished, community-centred and relationship-driven Executive Director to help lead its next chapter.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide strategic and operational leadership while strengthening the organizational, financial and community foundations required for BJCA's long-term sustainability.

This is a broad, highly visible and hands-on leadership role. The Executive Director will lead day-to-day operations, staff and contractors, strengthen financial and administrative systems, support the Board, develop membership and programming, build partnerships, expand fundraising and revenue, and help create the systems and structures needed to move BJCA from a primarily volunteer-driven organization toward a sustainable, professionally managed organization.

A significant priority will be strengthening BJCA's financial sustainability and fundraising capacity. The Executive Director will work with the Board, volunteers and community leaders to develop donor and funding relationships, pursue grants and sponsorships, diversify revenue and strengthen donor stewardship.

The Executive Director will also provide organizational oversight for BJCA's planned licensed childcare initiative, working with partners and stakeholders to support planning, licensing, facility requirements, budgeting and implementation.

This is an opportunity for a leader who enjoys moving between strategy and execution — someone equally comfortable reviewing a budget, working with a volunteer, engaging a community member, developing a grant, coaching a staff member, supporting a Board discussion or addressing the day-to-day needs of a busy community organization.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Sustainability & Fundraising

Develop and implement fundraising and revenue-development priorities aligned with BJCA's strategic and operational needs.
Develop and maintain relationships with donors, prospective donors, funders, sponsors and community partners.
Pursue grants, sponsorships, annual giving and other funding opportunities.
Strengthen donor stewardship, communications and recognition.
Identify opportunities to diversify revenue, including fundraising, grants, sponsorships, rentals and other earned revenue.
Prepare and manage the annual operating budget in partnership with the Treasurer, bookkeeper and Board.
Monitor income, expenses and cash flow and provide timely financial reporting to the Board.

Strategic & Organizational Leadership

Implement the strategic direction established by the Board and translate priorities into measurable goals, plans and actions.
Lead organizational improvements identified through BJCA's capacity-building work.
Establish systems, processes and accountability structures that strengthen organizational effectiveness.
Identify opportunities to improve services, community engagement and long-term sustainability.
Lead organizational change thoughtfully while respecting BJCA's history, relationships and community culture.
Develop, with the Board, a longer-term strategic plan and sustainability framework.

Operations & Staff Leadership

Provide overall leadership and accountability for BJCA's day-to-day operations.
Supervise and support staff, contractors and service providers.
Establish clear roles, responsibilities, expectations and reporting structures.
Recruit, onboard, develop and retain staff and contractors as organizational needs evolve.
Coordinate operational systems, technology, communications and administrative processes.
Oversee facilities, vendors, maintenance, security, insurance and other operational requirements.
Strengthen policies, procedures, risk management and organizational practices.

Board Partnership & Governance

Serve as the principal staff liaison to the Board of Directors and its committees.
Provide timely, accurate and transparent information on operations, finances, programs, membership, fundraising and significant issues.
Ensure Board decisions and strategic priorities are translated into organizational action.
Support effective governance and maintain clear boundaries between Board governance and day-to-day management.
Provide recommendations to the Board on organizational priorities, opportunities and risks.
Support Board members in their roles as community ambassadors, relationship-builders and philanthropic partners.

Community, Membership & Programming

Build strong relationships with members, families, volunteers and community stakeholders.
Strengthen membership recruitment, retention, engagement and participation.
Identify opportunities to better serve current and future generations of the Tri-Cities Jewish community.
Support the development and delivery of inclusive, relevant and financially sustainable programs and events.
Strengthen community participation and evaluate programs based on impact and community needs.
Foster a welcoming culture of belonging, connection and participation.

Volunteer Engagement

Recruit, coordinate, support and recognize volunteers.
Establish clear roles and expectations for volunteer involvement.
Develop volunteer leadership and succession opportunities.
Reduce reliance on individual volunteers by creating sustainable organizational systems and appropriate staff support.

Communications & Community Relations

Oversee consistent and effective communications across email, website, social media, newsletters and other channels.
Strengthen BJCA's public profile and community presence.
Represent BJCA with Jewish organizations, community organizations, funders, government agencies and other partners.
Develop productive partnerships with local organizations and faith communities.
Develop relationships and work collaboratively with the full spectrum of Jewish organizations in BC’s lower mainland, including the Jewish Federation of British Columbia, through their regional representatives and others, seeking opportunities to share programming.

Childcare / Daycare Initiative

Liaise with our principal tenant and collaborator, the Early Childhood Education staff from the JCC of Greater Vancouver.
Ensure cooperative usage of newly renovated childcare space downstairs in the building with the childcare operators from the JCCGV.
Monitor milestones, risks, costs, benefits and emerging requirements from this relationship, and report regularly to the Board.

The Ideal Candidate

BJCA is seeking a strategic and hands-on leader who combines strong organizational and financial skills with genuine warmth, community orientation and relationship-building ability.

The successful candidate will bring many of the following:

Experience in nonprofit, community, membership-based, cultural, educational, religious or similarly complex organizations.
Experience in organizational leadership, operations and strategic planning.
Strong financial and budgeting skills.
Experience with fundraising, grants, sponsorships or donor relations.
Experience leading, developing and supervising staff, contractors and volunteers.
Experience working effectively with Boards and volunteer leaders.
Strong project-management and organizational skills.
Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
Sound judgment, discretion, integrity and professionalism.
A collaborative leadership style combined with the confidence to make decisions and take accountability.
Familiarity with the Jewish community of the Tri-Cities and surrounding region.
An appreciation for Jewish community life, traditions and values.

The successful candidate must be comfortable working on-site at the BJCC regularly, as well as attending programs, events and meetings outside regular working hours when required.

What Success Looks Like

Over the course of the four-year term, the Executive Director will help BJCA:

Establish clear management responsibilities, staffing structures and operational systems.
Strengthen financial reporting, budgeting and organizational accountability.
Improve membership recruitment, retention and engagement.
Expand meaningful community programming and participation.
Build sustainable fundraising, donor stewardship and revenue-development systems.
Develop new partnerships within the Jewish and broader community.
Strengthen volunteer leadership and reduce dependence on a small number of volunteers.
Increase effective use of BJCA's facilities and resources.
Successfully advance the planned childcare/daycare initiative.
Develop a long-term sustainability strategy and five-year strategic plan.
Achieve the organization's established four-year membership and fundraising growth targets.
Build an organization that is increasingly sustainable, accountable and professionally managed while retaining the welcoming community character that defines BJCA.

Position & Compensation

This is a permanent part time position with compensation of $85,000 annually

Position: Executive Director
Type: Permanent Part Time Position - 32 hours per week
Compensation: $85,000 annually (CPP, worksafe, Employment Insurance)
Location: On-site at BJCC regularly, with physical attendance at programs, events and meetings as required.

The Executive Director will provide strategic and operational leadership for BJCA, working closely with the Board to strengthen organizational systems, grow membership and participation, develop partnerships, diversify revenue and build long-term sustainability.

The successful candidate will have:

Experience in nonprofit, community or organizational leadership.
Strong operational, financial, fundraising and relationship-management skills.
Experience managing staff, contractors and volunteers.
Familiarity with the Jewish community in the Tri-Cities and surrounding region will be an asset.
Strong communication, collaboration and project-management skills.
An understanding of the distinction between Board governance and day-to-day management.
A commitment to building a welcoming, inclusive and engaged Jewish community.

The position reports to the Board of Directors.

The position requires a visible, active presence in the BJCA community, including flexibility to attend evening and weekend programs and events when required.

BJCA is committed to creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for its members, staff, volunteers and broader community and welcomes applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to admin@burquest.ca by October30th, 2026.

We thank all applicants in advance. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

BURQUEST

Jewish Community Association