Executive Director

Greater Portland Hillel

Role Overview

PDX Hillel seeks a visionary and entrepreneurial leader with exceptional collaboration communication and relationship-building skills as well as the ability to motivate who can inspire students staff and community partners to serve as PDX Hillels Executive Director.

As ED you will be the driving force behind vibrant programming and authentic relationships that inspire and support over 700 undergraduate and graduate students across Portland to explore experience and create meaningful Jewish lives. PDX Hillel is a unique multi-campus Hillel serving seven area universities: Lewis & Clark College Portland State University Portland Community College Reed College Pacific University Oregon Health & Science University and the University of Portland. Each campus has its own culture and relationship with PDX Hillel- with a wide array of stakeholders- which means your gifts for relationship building and adaptability will be essential.

While PDX Hillel operates without walls we have secured a small meeting space on the Lewis and Clark campus (in southwest Portland) for the Executive Director and Staff. However with the multitude of campuses and stakeholders across Portland and beyond expect to do plenty of schlepping and schmoozingbringing Jewish life to students wherever they are.

Join PDX Hillel as our next Executive Director make an impact!

• Shape Jewish life across an entire city: With at least seven campuses and hundreds of students youll lead one of the most dynamic multi-campus Hillels in the country.
• Build something lasting: PDX Hillel is at a pivotal stage of growth offering you the chance to design strategy cultivate resources and leave a meaningful mark on the Jewish future of Portland.
• Lead with authenticity: From one-on-one conversations with students to partnerships with community leaders this role is about bringing Jewish values to life through meaningful relationships creative solutions and visionary leadership.

What Youll Do

Strategy & Vision:

• Lead with big picture thinking and work collaboratively with the Board and other stakeholders to build and communicate an inspiring and sustainable long-term vision.
• Partner with the board to identify priorities and design a multi-year plan to grow PDX Hillels visibility funding and impact.
• Guide staff in creating an annual student engagement strategy that centers on student interests and needs empowering student leadership while broadening and deepening involvement across diverse Jewish backgrounds in line with Hillels values.

Finance Fundraising and Donor Stewardship:

• Build and sustain a culture of philanthropy through strategic outreach authentic stewardship and clear communication of organizational vision mission and impact.
• Work closely with the Board Treasurer to ensure the timely and accurate reporting of finances and the ongoing assessment and adherence to the budget.
• Continue to cultivate long-term major donor relationships while diversifying and expanding revenue sources through strategic and consistent outreach with strong follow-through.
• Collaborate with PDX Hillel board members Hillel International and other stakeholders to maintain and strengthen the organizations finances and governance.

Stakeholder Relations:

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with a broad group of stakeholders including student and university leaders Jewish and other community organizations in Portland and beyond neighboring Hillels the Portland Jewish Federation and Hillel International and alumni and parents and grandparents across the country.
• Strengthen relationships with campus administrators and student government bodies advocating for Jewish students with courage respect and clarity.
• Provide expertise on the evolving needs and challenges of Jewish college students and on-campus climate in Portland and beyond.

Student Engagement:

• Understand the diverse needs of Jewish students across different campuses and ensure all programming aligns with the overall engagement strategy.
• Build relationships with students from diverse backgrounds through meaningful conversations and create opportunities to participate in Jewish life on campus.
• Ensure each Hillel provides a safe space and programming opportunities for all kinds of Jewish students to feel at home while addressing antisemitism and anti-Israel activities on campus.

Multi-Campus Operations:

• Effectively manage a complex network of campuses and Jewish programming with equity clear communication and responsiveness.
• Understand the different methods and resources available at each campus for reporting legal/bias incidents and inform students about these resources providing support assistance and advocacy as needed.

Board of Directors:

• Cultivate relationships with current past and prospective board members utilizing them as thought partners and building on the culture of excellence in governance and volunteer management.
• Attend monthly Board Meetings (in person or via video conferencing) and present comprehensive status updates including programming budget tracking and student engagement metrics in partnership with the Board Chair.
• Attend/lead Board committee meetings in partnership with the committee chairs and seek out development opportunities for Board Members to strengthen their commitment and enhance relevant skills.
• Partner with and seek advice from Board members or the Board Chair on key decisions throughout the year.

Communications/Public Relations:

• Enhance Hillels visibility brand and reputation on our campuses in the Jewish community and in the greater Portland area and beyond.
• Generate a steady stream of multimedia communications to maximize student engagement in programming and demonstrate organizational value to community stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Hillel International for press releases/interviews/public statements when needed.
• Serve as PDX Hillels primary spokesperson particularly in crisis situations representing Hillel and the students with calm clarity leadership and courage.

Staff Supervision & Development:

• Inspire mentor develop and supervise 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.
• Oversee staff with clarity kindness respect collaboration and accountability ensuring a positive work environment and a culture of trust safety belonging and growth.
• Lead recruiting hiring and onboarding of any new employees including employees coming from overseas.

What Youll Bring to the Job

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree
• Five years of professional work experience with three years minimum in a leadership role in a Jewish or secular nonprofit higher education or related organization.

Additional Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in Judaic Studies higher education or nonprofit management.
• Proven success in strategic planning fundraising team and budget management and stakeholder relations.
• Minimum of three years of experience supervising staff.
• Experience working or volunteering at a Hillel either as a staff member board member or student leader/intern.
• Adept at navigating complex organizational systems (such as universities) while building strong stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills attention to detail and a commitment to excellence.
• Inspiring presence with a joyful spirit that motivates action enthusiasm and community-building.
• Inspiring and visionary leadership with a propensity for action and results.
• Expertise in leading complex conversations about Judaism and Israel in an approachable way that meets students at various points in their personal Jewish journey.
• 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.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills and a passion for working with diverse populations different from your own including inter-religious populations.
• Solid business management and organizational skills including planning financial operations attention to detail multitasking delegating and prioritizing.
• Ability to work a non-traditional schedule including weekends and evenings when necessary.
• A deep sense of responsibility connection and purpose in the work done at Hillel.

What Youll Receive

• Competitive salary in the non-profit marketplace. The salary range for this role is $90000 - $115000 depending on 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.
• Relocation assistance available.
• 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 Greater Portland Hillel

PDX Hillel is a distinctive multi-campus organization serving students across more than seven institutions including Lewis & Clark College Portland State University Portland Community College Reed College Pacific University Oregon Health & Science University and the University of Portland. Each campus brings its own culture and unique relationship with PDX Hillel requiring exceptional relationship-building skills and adaptability from our Executive Director. Operating with an innovative without walls approach PDX Hillel currently maintains a collaborative hub on the Lewis and Clark campus in southwest Portland while the Executive Directors influence extends citywide weaving together relationships resources and vibrant Jewish experiences across Portlands diverse academic landscape.

PDX Hillel 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 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 nearly 1000 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.