Chief Executive Officer

University of Michigan Hillel

Role Overview:

The Chief Executive Officer of the University of Michigan Hillel Foundation will lead the organization in making a lasting impact on over 6,500 Jewish students at one of the nation's most prominent and leading universities while maintaining its reputation as a leader in the Hillel movement worldwide. In this role, you will have the pleasure and privilege of working with dedicated student leaders, committed and talented staff, and the world’s strongest alumni community. This position will require developing the overall vision and strategy of Michigan Hillel, setting a positive organizational culture, providing strong administrative management, and serving as the leader of the Jewish community on campus to ensure the University of Michigan Hillel’s continued growth and success. The ideal candidate will embrace innovation and forward-thinking strategies, fostering a vibrant, diverse, complex community where all students can engage in meaningful Jewish life. 

What You’ll Do:

Strategy & Vision:

• Inspire and organize pluralistic, diverse Jewish life on campus.
• Develop strategies to expand the Jewish student community, accommodating a range of backgrounds and interests.
• Manage crises in real-time with an understanding of how any engagement aligns with Michigan Hillel’s goals and mission.
• Ensure all Jewish students feel welcome, upholding the “Michigan” approach.

Fundraising and Financial Management:

• Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer and development team to implement a robust, multi-faceted annual development plan.
• Personally engage in donor solicitation and stewardship, manage relationships with granting organizations and foundations, and identify additional revenue resources.

Staff Supervision & Development:

• Support a staff culture of camaraderie with an “all-hands on deck” approach. 
• Foster a positive work environment, delegate effectively, and support staff in work assignments and priorities.
• Serve as a mentor to staff, dedicating time to work closely with each staff member on personal development, passions, and career paths.

Stakeholder and External Relations:

• Serve as Hillel’s primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media, and the general public, engaging the community in the importance of Hillel’s mission and purpose.
• Maintain and deepen relationships at all levels of the University to ensure the continued safety and protection of Jewish students on campus.
• Cultivate partnerships within the local Ann Arbor community and advance relationships with donors and community partners in the Metro Detroit area.

Student Engagement:

• Oversee a robust student engagement strategy that successfully brings Jewish students into the Jewish community on campus. 
• Recognize and adapt to the changing needs of Jewish college students, navigating campus climate and issues related to exploring Jewish identity. 
• Connect individually with students as needed and provide mentorship for their ongoing Jewish journey. 
• Ensure Hillel is a safe space for students and provides tools to address any antisemitic and anti-Israel activity on campus. 
• Partner with other campus organizations to further engage students across various programs and platforms.
• Ensure the organization embraces appreciation and understanding for all expressions of Jewish religious practice, regardless of personal beliefs.

What You’ve Accomplished:

• 8 -10 years of professional work experience in a leadership capacity.
• A minimum of 5 years of work experience in the Jewish or secular nonprofit, higher education, or mission-driven organization sectors is preferred.
• Past Hillel management experience is advantageous but not mandatory.
• A minimum of 5 years of fundraising and financial management experience for a non-profit organization in a professional or volunteer capacity.

What you’ll bring to the work: 

• Warm, sincere, and enthusiastic leadership with a strong internal drive for success and excellence.
• Proactive communication and collaboration across offices and agencies.
• Strong planning and organizational skills, including attention to detail, multitasking, and prioritization.
• Capacity to create space for diverse perspectives and voices of students and staff.
• Proven fundraising and financial management skills.
• Strong relationship-building skills with a nuanced understanding of Judaism, Israel, and antisemitism.
• Joyful spirit for the work and a deep commitment for Jewish community building.
• Deep appreciation for the unique needs of college students and the American campus experience.
• A deep passion for the mission of Hillel and the development of the next generation of Jewish leaders.
• An understanding that Hillel work happens outside of traditional work hours.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of Jewish student life at the University of Michigan. It requires a commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and creating a supportive environment for students across all aspects of their campus, religious, and personal lives.

What You’ll Receive:

• Competitive salary in the non-profit marketplace. The salary range for this role is $180,000-$ 210,000, depending upon skills, qualifications, and experience.
• Health insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, long-term disability (LTD), vacation/sick time, and generous parental leave.
• Paid opportunities for professional development and peer engagement, mentoring, and skill-building.
• A supportive and committed board of lay leaders and faculty.
• Mentorship by a fellow Hillel Director.
• Strategic support from a dedicated Campus Support Director at Hillel’s Schusterman International Center.
• Opportunities to attend global conferences for personal and professional development throughout the U.S. and Israel.
• Relocation assistance is available.

About the University of Michigan Hillel Foundation

Hillel at the University of Michigan was the third Hillel Foundation in North America, established in 1926. Our Hillel has been housed at two University locations before moving into a house at 1429 Hill Street in 1942. The house was replaced by a large building in 1951, replaced by the present Mandell L. Berman Center in 1988.

Michigan Hillel’s history matches the remarkable changes in the University and the times of the nation during its more than eight decades on campus. From its earliest days, Hillel played a significant role in campus life, serving not only the religious needs of the campus Jewish community but also providing a center for social, political, and artistic expression. In 1937, The Hillel Players produced the first play of an undergraduate named Arthur Miller. During the Vietnam War years, Hillel was the locus of much of the campus debate and political action. In the 1980s, Hillel began to play a major role in the intellectual and cultural life of the university with the launch of programs like Consider Magazine, Residence Hall Repertory Theater Company, and the Golden Apple Award. In 2012, the TAMID Israel Investment Group incubated through Michigan Hillel and has now launched as a national organization with an international presence.

Today, the University of Michigan is widely regarded as one of the best schools in the country for Jewish students, and our Hillel has played a significant role in this national reputation. With our emphasis on student leadership and student-driven initiatives, Michigan Hillel has grown to house and support 40+ student groups.

About Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor has been called the “Athens of the Midwest” with all the culture and entertainment of the coasts and the charm and affordability of the midwest. The town is centered around the University of Michigan and all it has to offer including performances, lectures, arts and of course, “The Big House”--the largest football stadium in the U.S. The Jewish community is small yet dynamic with multiple synagogues, a K-5 day school and a JCC. 

Applications & Nominations

Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every requirement. Hillel is dedicated to inclusivity and valuing diversity and equity in the workplace. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.

**Resumes will be accepted until January 18th. Interviews to begin thereafter.**

If you have questions about this role, please contact:

Jennifer Sosnow – Director, Executive Talent Management, Hillel International.

[email protected]