Executive Director - Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach

Executive Director 

Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach

Role Overview:

Join Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach as the next Executive Director. As the next visionary leader, you will create the vision, develop the resources, and oversee the operations of an organization that is the center of a pluralistic, dynamic Jewish community on several campuses. You will inspire the staff to ensure that our diverse campuses have many opportunities to gather, explore, and create vibrant Jewish experiences as part of their college years. 

Our talented team of professionals serves approximately 5,000 Jewish students on the campuses of Florida Atlantic University, Lynn University, Nova Southeastern University, Broward College, and Palm Beach State College. Our main facility, the Levine Weinberger Jewish Life Center, is located in Boca Raton on the main campus of Florida Atlantic University. Under your leadership, Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach will continue to thrive as a forward-thinking, innovative organization that celebrates Jewish life and social entrepreneurship. In partnership with all its key stakeholders, you’ll develop critical resources to help students thrive and increase community engagement inside and outside the universities. You’ll be excellent in this role if you are passionate about supporting students, driven to inspire and strengthen a strong board with a committed local community, being a part of a university, leading a team, setting the strategic vision for your Hillel, developing human and financial resources, and strengthening the ties between Hillel and your community. Our program's success is evidenced by the fact that we have outgrown our space and are currently fundraising and planning for a renovation/expansion. As the new Executive Director, you will continue fundraising and eventually construct this new space for our Jewish students.

What You’ll Do: 

Drive long-term success for Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach in: 

Strategy & Vision: 

• Embrace each campus’s unique, diverse culture and find areas for partnership and connection where these opportunities intersect with Hillel’s priorities and the larger Hillel movement. 


• Inspire and organize pluralistic, diverse Jewish life on all campuses while prioritizing and setting clear goals for each campus. 


• Engage and inspire students, staff, and lay leaders in an exciting vision for Jewish life on the campuses and the larger Broward and Palm Beach communities.


• Sustain a model of excellence by leading a multi-campus Hillel within a large, engaged Jewish community.


•  Deepen existing partnerships and continuously look to create new ones within the larger community. 


• Ensure the student engagement strategy is dynamic, inclusive, and successful in meeting its goals. 


• Have your pulse on the changing needs of Jewish college students, Jewish identity development, and campus climate. 

Fundraising: 

• Develop and sustain Broward and Palm Beach Hillel’s successful fundraising campaigns.


• Oversee and coordinate all fundraising efforts related to the comprehensive campaign, including working with external consultants, development staff, campaign committee, and community leaders to propel a successful completion of the transformative campaign.


• Supervise the solid and successful development team and chart a clear path for future financial stability and fundraising success.   


• Oversee the robust multi-faceted annual development plan, which includes stewardship of gifts and donor relations.


• Personally engage in fundraising with major donors and grant organizations and continually work to develop additional revenue sources. 

Staff Supervision & Operations: 

• Inspire, develop, supervise, and mentor a professional staff team that delivers on a vision of pluralism, inclusivity, and student leadership development to deepen students’ relationships with Jewish life, Jewish learning, and Israel. 


• Work closely with the senior leadership team to ensure success at every level of the organization. 


• Establish a culture of professional development and growth. 


• Manage all the financials responsibly with the Finance Committee, operating within the approved budget, ensuring maximum resource utilization, and keeping the organization in a favorable financial position.


• Collaborate with the university and lay leaders to oversee construction at FAU following a successful capital campaign.


• In collaboration with the Board and the general contractor, consult on constructing a new facility at FAU following a successful capital campaign.


• Manage the transition of premises during construction, arrange for program space while out of the building, and facilitate re-entry into the new facility. 

Stakeholder Relations: 

• Exhibit organizational and communal leadership by cultivating relationships with all stakeholders, including student and university leaders, Jewish community leaders in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties, and beyond, as well as alumni and parents nationwide.


• Serve as the 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. 


• Create a shared responsibility and engagement culture among board members and cultivate relationships with prospective members who can provide generative and strategic leadership. 

Student Engagement:

• Oversee a robust student engagement strategy that successfully brings Jewish students into the Jewish community across all campuses. 


• Recognize and adapt to the changing needs of Jewish college students, navigating campus climate and issues related to exploring Jewish identity. 


• Ensure Hillel is a safe space for students and provides tools to address any antisemitic and anti-Israel activity on campus. 


• Oversee the strategy to 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:

• Led organizations or programs with a proven and measurable innovation and sustainable growth track record. 


• Managed and supervised a team of professionals excellently to accomplish their best work and develop their potential. 


• Demonstrated personal fundraising experience, including executing annual fundraising campaigns, cultivation, stewardship, and major gift solicitation 


• Successfully partnered with a non-profit board of directors, granting foundations, and grant-issuing organizations. 


• Ensured sound financial management practices, including budgeting and cost controls.


• A bachelor’s degree is required, but a master’s degree is preferred. We will consider a range of candidates’ experiences and credentials. 

What You’ll Bring to the Job:

• At least eight years of professional experience in a leadership or management role.


• Visionary leadership, with the innate ability to inspire students, staff, and other key stakeholders. 


• An attitude of proactive communication and collaboration across offices and agencies. 


• Strong people management skills and a strong EQ enable you to bring out the best in your staff and students. 


• Solid organizational skills, including planning, attention to detail, multitasking, and prioritization. 


• An inspiring presence that will help others deepen their interest in Jewish life and the ability to listen to and build relationships with college students. 


• Strong relationship-building skills and comfort working with diverse populations different from yours. 


• An understanding of Judaism, Israel, and antisemitism in a way that is approachable and meets students at various points in their Jewish journey. 

What You’ll Receive: 

• Competitive salary in the non-profit marketplace. The salary range for this role is $150,000-180,000, depending upon skills, qualifications, and experience.


• Retirement plan, life insurance, long-term disability (LTD), vacation/sick time, and parental leave. 


• Professional development, mentoring, and skill-building opportunities. 


• Opportunities for paid travel throughout the U.S. and to Israel. 


• A supportive and committed board of lay leaders. 


• Dedicated campus support from Hillel International.


• Relocation assistance is available.

For questions or information about this opportunity, don't hesitate to get in touch with Jennifer Sosnow, Director of Executive Talent, at [email protected]

About Broward and Palm Beach Hillel:

With over 5,000 Jewish students on the campuses we serve, Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach offers a pluralistic and inclusive community that offers social and networking events, community service projects, travel experiences to Israel and beyond, Jewish learning opportunities, free Shabbat dinners, a place to celebrate and observe holidays, and mentoring programs that integrate our Hillel within the community.  There is something for everyone at Hillel.  

About Florida Atlantic University (FAU):  The main office of Broward and Palm Beach Hillel is on the campus of FAU, with program space at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and Lynn University.  Set in the heart of Boca Raton, FL, within a large and diverse Jewish community, FAU is a student-centered, public research university with more than 23,000 undergraduate students. Learn more about FAU here:  https://www.fau.edu/