Job Description

Executive Director

Hillel of North Texas

Take on the role of the next Executive Director of Hillel of North Texas, overseeing operations and student engagement for approximately 300 Jewish students at the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton and 200 Jewish students at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) in Richardson. In addition to our core work at UNT and UTD, Hillel of North Texas also engages Jewish students at several other campuses across the region, including Collin College and other nearby schools.

The Executive Director is responsible for supervising the other full-time staff professional(s) and advising the UTD/Collin student board, while leading efforts to build an inclusive and vibrant Jewish community. This role focuses on creating diverse opportunities for students to connect with Jewish life, explore their identities, and build meaningful relationships throughout their college experience.

In this position, you will implement strategic initiatives to ensure Hillel of North Texas maintains student engagement growth. Your focus will be on practical aspects, such as charting educational opportunities, fostering community, and securing financial resources for the organization's growth. As a key player, you'll be expected to demonstrate expertise in fundraising and relationship-building, expanding support partnerships within the campus communities of UNT and UTD and the broader Jewish community of greater Dallas. Success in this role requires a deep appreciation for the Jewish community, a commitment to student support, strong leadership skills, strategic thinking, adaptability, and the ability to secure financial resources.

What You’ll Do

Strategy & Vision:

• Create strategies to expand the base of the Jewish student community to include a multiplicity of Jewish backgrounds and interests
• Create an annual engagement strategy that centers students’ relationships and interests in partnership with staff.
• Manage all the financials responsibly, operating within the approved budget, ensuring maximum resource utilization, and keeping the organization in a positive financial position.
• Work with the Board and other stakeholders to build a long-term vision for the organization, allowing flexibility and financial sustainability for future generations.

Fundraising & Financial Management:

• Exhibit leadership around financial resource development and cultivate the stakeholders who will help you get there, including lay leaders, local community members, agencies.
• Develop Hillel of North Texas’s financial resources to be on par with the institution's caliber, the Jewish community's size, and the strategic plan's needs.
• Develop and implement a robust, multi-faceted annual development plan, including stewardship of gifts and donor relations.
• Personally engage in fundraising with major donors and grant organizations while also cultivating new donors and developing additional revenue sources.

Staff Supervision & Development:

• Supervise the full-time staff, who works directly with the Jewish student population at UNT.
• Inspire, develop, supervise, and mentor the professional staff and student volunteer team that deliver on a vision of pluralism, inclusivity, and student leadership development to deepen students’ relationships with Jewish life, Jewish learning, and Israel.
• Establish a culture of professional development and growth.

Stakeholder and External Relations:

• Serve as the Hillel of North Texas primary ambassador/spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media, and the general public, engaging the community in the importance of Hillel’s mission and purpose.
• Exhibit organizational and communal leadership by cultivating relationships with all stakeholders, including student and university leaders, Jewish community leaders, alumni, and parents.
• Understand Hillel’s unique culture at both UNT and UTD and in the local Dallas community; find opportunities for partnership and connection locally and nationally, where these opportunities intersect with Hillel’s priorities.
• Create a culture of shared responsibility and engagement among members of the board of directors and cultivate relationships with prospective board members who can provide generative and strategic leadership.

Student Engagement:

• Build relationships with students from diverse backgrounds through meaningful conversations and create opportunities to participate in Jewish life on campus.
• Have your pulse on the changing needs of Jewish college students, Jewish identity development, and campus climate.
• Develop student leaders, coordinate student programming, and execute engagement strategies with student board members
• Establish a warm, welcoming community that promotes student involvement, leadership, and personal growth.
• Plan and implement engaging and interactive programs that make Hillel the “place to be” on campus for Jewish students.
• Work collaboratively to create programming with other religious organizations on campus.
• Ensure Hillel is a safe space for students, addressing antisemitism and anti-Israel activities on campus.
• Encourage an inclusive culture embracing all expressions of Jewish religious practice.

What You’ve Accomplished

• 5–8 years of professional work experience. Experience in management roles in the Jewish or secular nonprofit, higher education, or mission-driven organization world is a plus. Past Hillel experience is a plus as well.
• Led organizations or programs with a proven, measurable innovation and sustainable growth track record.
• Managed and supervised a team of professionals to accomplish their best work and develop their potential.
• Demonstrated 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.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred. We will consider a range of candidates’ experiences and credentials.

What You’ll Bring to the Job

• A visionary leader who inspires students, staff, and other key stakeholders.
• Strong entrepreneurial spirit. Things may not always go according to plan, but you are willing to take risks and learn from your wins and losses.
• An attitude of proactive communication and collaboration across offices and agencies.
• Strong relationship-building skills and comfort working with diverse populations different from your own, including inter-religious populations.
• Solid organizational skills, including planning, attention to detail, multi-tasking 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.
• Expertise in leading complex conversations about Judaism and Israel in an approachable way and meets students at various points in their personal Jewish journey.

What You'll Receive

• Competitive salary in the non-profit marketplace. The salary range for this role is $75,000-$95,000, depending upon skills, qualifications, and experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, 401(k) employer match, life insurance, Long Term Disability (LTD), Flexible Spending Plan, and paid parental leave.
• Generous vacation and sick time.
• Professional development, mentoring, and skill-building opportunities.
• Opportunities for travel throughout the U.S. and to Israel.
• A supportive and committed board of lay leaders.

About Hillel of North Texas

Hillel of North Texas is a multi-campus Hillel operating at the two largest public universities in North Texas: the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton and the University of Texas Dallas. Hillel staff meet Jewish students on- and off-campus, including at university unions, coffee shops, the library, classrooms, and even outdoors. The University of North Texas draws creative and diverse students from across Texas seeking academic excellence and affordable education in a college-town setting only 36 miles north of Dallas-Fort Worth. Denton is known for its creative thinkers, artists, and entrepreneurs and has a vibrant music scene. The University of Texas, Dallas began as a graduate research center half a century ago and has become a top public university for undergraduate and graduate students. UT Dallas, located in Richardson, Texas, is known for its academic excellence, focus on STEM, diverse student community, research opportunities, and entrepreneurship culture. Both universities benefit from the metropolitan area, offering many job opportunities, entertainment, culture, shopping, and professional sports.

Hillel of North Texas is affiliated with Hillel International. Hillel International enriches the lives of Jewish students so they may enrich the Jewish people and the world, and envisions a world where every student is inspired to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning and Israel.

About Dallas, Texas

Dallas, Texas, a vibrant metropolis known for its rich history and modern skyline, boasts a diverse cultural landscape, including a thriving Jewish community. With its iconic landmarks like the Reunion Tower and the Dallas Arts District, the city serves as a hub for business, arts, and entertainment. Within this dynamic urban tapestry, the Jewish community in Dallas has made significant contributions, fostering a sense of unity and continuity. Synagogues, cultural centers, and educational institutions are pillars of the Jewish identity, providing a space for religious observance, community gatherings, and preserving traditions. The community actively engages in philanthropy, cultural events, and outreach programs, contributing to the city's mosaic of diversity and fostering a strong sense of belonging among its members.