Managing Director

Grinspoon Hillel at Cornell

Role Overview

Grinspoon Hillel at Cornell seeks a Managing Director - an enterprising strategic and relationship-driven executive who will lead the vision execution and growth of Jewish life on one of the nations most vibrant campuses.

As Hillels senior campus executive the Managing Director oversees all aspects of student life engagement and communications. This leader will supervise a team of 7 program and professional staff guide the strategic direction for program excellence and serve as the primary face of Hillels student affairs presence to the University parents and community partners.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for a talented Jewish professional to shape a thriving campus community inspire professional and student leaders and ensure that Grinspoon Hillel remains one of the nations premier centers for Jewish life learning and connection.

Scope of Leadership

The Managing Director leads the campus program and engagement strategy of a $2M Hillel supervising 7 program professionals and partnering with senior leadership on operations communications and community relations. This role directs the student-facing mission of one of the largest and most dynamic Hillels in North America. The Managing Director reports to the CEO.

Why This Role Matters

The Managing Director will shape the future of Jewish life at Cornell. This is an exciting time at Grinspoon Hillel. Harkavy Hall our new Hillel center is scheduled to open in summer 2027. This is an opportunity to shape the vision and operations of one of the premier Hillel buildings in the country and lead a high-performing team innovate at scale and help thousands of students build lifelong Jewish friendships and experiences.

This role is ideal for an experienced senior Jewish professional ready to lead at scale shaping the future of Jewish life on campus while partnering closely with a seasoned CEO. Youll be part of a forward-thinking organization that values creativity professionalism and purpose and youll make a lasting mark on the next generation of Jewish leaders.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Lead the development and execution of Hillels overall programmatic and engagement strategy for Jewish life at Cornell grounded in an engagement-first philosophy that values breadth depth and belonging.
• Translate mission and vision into a clear set of goals systems and metrics that promote student connection leadership development and community impact.
• Partner with the CEO and Board on long-range program planning annual goals and evaluation.
• Foster a culture of collaboration creativity and joy among students and staff.

Team Supervision & Professional Development

• Supervise coach and inspire the program and engagement staff team.
• Lead weekly team meetings onboarding and ongoing professional development.
• Establish clear expectations and systems that promote accountability creativity and excellence.
• Model strong management practices and a relational student-centered approach.
• Build a culture that develops emerging professional talentmentoring staff toward future leadership within Hillel and the broader Jewish community.

Student Engagement & Leadership Development

• Guide the structure and growth of student-led affinity groups (e.g. Greek Council Wellness Israel interest groups Launchpad Career Networking Cultural and Social programs).
• Develop a sustainable leadership framework that empowers students to design and lead meaningful Jewish experiences while maintaining professional mentorship and oversight.
• Nurture student leadership for Shabbat holidays and community-building programs ensuring diverse accessible opportunities.
• Oversee recruitment and execution of major student experiences including FreshFest Israel leadership delegations and immersive learning trips.

Technology Communications & Systems

• Oversee the integration of digital tools and communications systems that support engagement and connection including CRM website event registration texting platforms and social media.
• Create and implement operation systems for Harkavy Hall Hillels new building to open in summer 2027
• Lead all non-fundraising communications to students and parents including weekly student e-news parent updates and program announcements.
• Ensure Hillels digital presence reflects the excellence inclusivity and vibrancy of our on-campus work.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Operations team to ensure data systems capture engagement metrics and support organizational learning.

Campus & Community Partnerships

• Serve as Hillels senior representative for student life and campus relations building trusted partnerships with university administration faculty student organizations and Jewish communal leaders.
• Function as the public voice of Hillels student engagement and education mission representing the organization in campus coalitions orientation programs leadership councils and university-level events.
• Partner with Jewish communal organizations and campus departments to amplify opportunities and shared resources.

Organizational Stewardship

• Manage program budgets grant reporting and evaluation processes to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
• Collaborate with the CEO on communications that support stewardship public visibility and institutional excellence.
• Uphold a standard of operational ethical and professional integrity consistent with Hillel International best practices.

Who You Are

• A seasoned professional (8 years) with proven leadership in Jewish nonprofit or educational settings.
• A strategic thinker and empathetic team leader who thrives in dynamic relationship-driven environments.
• Skilled in building teams coaching staff and creating systems that scale engagement and impact.
• Fluent in Jewish culture learning and community life; comfortable across a broad range of Jewish identities and expressions.
• Technologically confident experienced in CRM systems (Salesforce or similar) digital communication and audience development.
• A relational leader who loves working directly with students and mentoring young professionals.
• Flexible curious and energized by campus life including evenings weekends and holidays.
• Bachelors degree required; Masters degree or equivalent experience preferred.

What Youll Receive

• Salary - Approximately $125000 to $135000 annually commensurate with executive-level experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance retirement plan life insurance long-term disability generous vacation and sick leave and parental leave.
• Robust professional development mentoring and national network engagement through Hillel International.
• Opportunities for travel to Israel and national leadership convenings.
• Professional Development budget

About Grinspoon Hillel at Cornell

Founded in 1929 and now serving the largest Jewish student population in the Ivy League Grinspoon Hillel aims to inspire every Jewish student to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life learning and Israel. We seek to empower Jewish students to build vibrant and engaging communities that cultivate ownership of identity a sense of the dynamic role of Judaism and an appreciation of the rich diversity of the Jewish experience. We believe in a pluralism that begins with the diversity of our staff.

Grinspoon Hillel is located in Ithaca NY which combines small-town life with a world-class academic/college-town community. Ithaca has been named one of the top 100 places to live a top 10 recreation city the best green place to live and one of the foodiest towns in America. Cornell University is one of the worlds foremost institutions of higher education with eight undergraduate schools and five graduate schools located in Ithaca NY in the Finger Lakes Region of Central New York State. Hillel is currently housed in Anabel Taylor Hall home of the Cornell United Religious Works and has a programming house on North summer 2027 Hillel will open a 23000 square foot Hillel Center. Jewish students make up approximately one-quarter of the student body on the Ithaca campus approximately 2500 students. Grinspoon Hillel currently engages a talented professional team of 12 full-time and one part-time professional.

Grinspoon 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.