Executive Director - Santa Cruz Hillel

Role Overview

Santa Cruz Hillel seeks an inspiring and experienced Executive Director to champion our vision of a vibrant, diverse Jewish community on three college campuses in our region. As Executive Director, you’ll lead Santa Cruz Hillel’s mission to engage students in Jewish life, learning, and community-building in an inclusive, welcoming environment. With two full-time engagement staff members on your team, you’ll guide and support their growth and Jewish life on campus.

This role is ideal if you’re passionate about team leadership, resource development, student engagement, and building meaningful connections in and beyond Santa Cruz. You’ll be vital in maintaining and developing relationships with UC Santa Cruz, Cabrillo College, and CSU Monterey Bay, ensuring that Hillel is connected to each school’s community. You’ll also work alongside UC Santa Cruz administrators as part of Hillel International’s Campus Climate Initiative, strengthening the bridge between our most populous campus and Hillel. 

The size of our team and the close relationship Hillel Santa Cruz maintains with our community means that living in or near Santa Cruz will be essential to the success of the next Executive Director. Being Jewish in Santa Cruz also means recognizing many Jewish expressions and identities. If you’re committed to supporting a Jewish population with diverse views and interested in understanding Santa Cruz's progressive spirit, this could be your perfect role!

What you’ll do:

Strategic Planning, Vision, and Leadership:

• Develop, articulate, and promote a dynamic, innovative, and holistic vision for Jewish life in Santa Cruz and Monterey in partnership with key stakeholders, including students, Board of Directors, alumni, parents, staff, University administration, Hillel International, and other Jewish organizations.
• Manage strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including senior University administration, parents, alumni, foundation partners, Hillel International staff, and donors.
• Deepen existing partnerships and create new ones on and off campus. 
• Support a dynamic and inclusive student engagement strategy. 
• Have your finger on the pulse of campus climate to support the changing needs of Jewish college students and their developing Jewish identities. 

Stakeholder Relations:

• Cultivate caring and strategic relationships with all stakeholders: students, university leaders, faculty, Jewish community leaders, alumni, and parents. 
• 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. 
• Work with the Board of Directors to develop and implement the strategic vision.
• Supply the Board of Directors with the information they need to monitor and govern Santa Cruz Hillel and make informed decisions.

Financial Resource Development & Management:

• Develop and implement a strategic approach to financial resource development and management in coordination with the Board of Directors.
• Spearhead fundraising efforts, develop and steward donor relations, and plan and direct fundraising events, email campaigns, and solicitations.
• Personally solicit donations from major donors, strategize with grant organizations, write grants, and develop additional revenue sources. 
• Oversee and manage Hillel's fiscal operation through budget planning and management processes.
• Ensure Santa Cruz Hillel's fiscal integrity, including compliance, budget forecasting, and the accurate and timely submission of a proposed annual budget and financial statements to the Board. 

Staff Supervision and Human Resource Operations:

• Cultivate a culture of staff excellence and professional growth.
• Inspire, develop, supervise, and mentor a professional staff team that delivers on a vision of pluralism, inclusivity, and student leadership development.
• Process bi-weekly payroll, oversee staff benefits, and assess staff needs and organizational offerings to ensure Santa Cruz Hillel is market-aligned in benefits and policies.

Student Engagement:

• Oversee staff development of 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 and respond to antisemitic activity on campus. 
• Partner with other campus organizations to engage students across intersecting programs and platforms.
• Ensure the organization embraces diverse Jewish religious practices and cultural expressions. 

What You’ve Accomplished:

• Led organizations or programs to achieve a measurable record of sustainable growth. 
• Managed and supervised a team of professionals excellently to accomplish their best work and develop their potential. 
• Effectively managed boards and stakeholder relations.
• Raised significant major gifts and institutional support, utilizing a non-profit board of directors, granting foundations, and grant-issuing organizations.
• Ensured sound financial management practices, including budgeting and cost controls.

What You’ll Bring to the Job:

• A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree in a relevant area is a plus. We will consider a range of candidates’ experiences and credentials.
• At least five years of leadership experience in the business or nonprofit sector. 
• Passion for Hillel’s mission, pluralistic Jewish life, and the college experience; an understanding of the Hillel world.
• Visionary leadership with a gift for inspiring students, staff, and other key stakeholders.
• Strong people management skills and ability to bring out the best in your staff and students.
• 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 by engaging directly with college students.
• Strong relationship-building skills and comfort working with diverse populations different from yours.
• An understanding of Judaism, Israel, and modern antisemitism; willingness to meet students where they are in their Jewish journey. 

Compensation & Benefits:

• The salary range for this position is $110,000–$130,000, commensurate with experience. 
• A range of health and welfare benefits, including health insurance (with employee contribution), unlimited vacation policy, sick leave, and retirement plan with employer match.
• 100% paid professional development and travel opportunities to Israel and within the USA.
• Relocation assistance may be provided on a case-by-case basis.
• Dedicated Campus Support Director from Hillel International.

About Santa Cruz Hillel:

Located between the cliffs and beaches of the Central California coastline and the redwood-and-oak-festooned coastal mountains, Santa Cruz Hillel serves approximately 400 Jewish students annually in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties—and could potentially reach hundreds more. Uniquely shaped by its larger Santa Cruz context, our Hillel draws from a relaxed but progressive Santa Cruz beach culture and an activist campus and community spirit. Each member of Hillel’s professional staff is well-positioned to make a lasting impact on the future of Santa Cruz Hillel and the students who engage with us. 

Santa Cruz Hillel serves as one of a handful of Jewish organizations in the county. In addition to our dedicated office and meeting space, we take full advantage of opportunities to engage in the community near us, such as coffee shops, cafes, and, of course, the splendid beaches and parks of our California coastal environment. 

If you have any questions about this role, please contact: 

Jennifer Sosnow, Director of Executive Talent, Hillel International, Hillel International at

jsosnow@hillel.org