Executive Director

Hillels of North Texas

Role Overview 

Take on the role of the next Executive Director at Hillels of North Texas, overseeing operations for approximately 400 Jewish students at the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton and 200 Jewish students at the University of Texas, Dallas (UTD) in Richardson. Your responsibilities include serving as a supervisor to the other full-time staff professional and leading the UTD Hillel student board, emphasizing the development of an inclusive community that provides diverse opportunities for students to engage in Jewish experiences during their college years.

In this position, you will implement strategic initiatives to ensure Hillels 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 Hillels 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 and develop additional revenue sources.

Staff Supervision & Development:

• Supervise the full-time Director of Jewish Student Life, 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 Hillels 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.
• (UTD Hillel) 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 $70,000 - 90,000, 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 Hillels of North Texas

Hillels 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. Without a physical building, 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. 

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.

About Hillel International

In 1923, Rabbi Benjamin Frankel started Hillel with humble means, a noble mission and a breathtaking vision: to convey Jewish civilization to a new generation. Today, Hillel International continues to enrich the lives of Jewish students and is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world at more than 550 colleges and universities across North America and around the world. As Hillel evolves as an organization, the mission remains steadfast: to create lasting connections with every Jewish student that foster an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel and train them to become the next Jewish leaders.

Hillel is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an accepting and inclusive environment for all.