Executive Director - Santa Cruz Hillel

The Executive Director at Santa Cruz Hillel is responsible for overseeing the organization's mission to promote Jewish engagement among students. This includes strategic planning, student engagement initiatives, managing relationships with key stakeholders, and developing community partnerships. Additionally, the Executive Director leads fundraising efforts and ensures sound financial management.

Candidates for the Executive Director position at Santa Cruz Hillel should have a bachelor's degree, with a master's degree being a plus. At least five years of leadership experience in the nonprofit or business sector is essential, alongside a clear passion for Jewish life and an understanding of college students' needs.

As the Executive Director, engagement with the Jewish community involves cultivating strong relationships with students, faculty, alumni, and community leaders. The role includes promoting inclusivity across diverse Jewish identities and leading initiatives that connect students with their cultural roots, making Hillel a welcoming space.

The Executive Director at Santa Cruz Hillel manages the organization's financial resources by developing and implementing fundraising strategies, overseeing budget planning, ensuring fiscal integrity, and meeting compliance and reporting requirements to the Board of Directors.

Living in or near Santa Cruz is essential for the Executive Director of Santa Cruz Hillel. This proximity allows for stronger connections within the community and among local universities, crucial for maintaining the organization’s relevance and responsiveness to student needs.

Sharing specific examples where you successfully established partnerships will showcase your relationship-building skills. Focus on how you engaged diverse stakeholders, created mutually beneficial initiatives, and the impact these partnerships had on your previous organizations.

Discuss your leadership style, emphasizing mentorship, professional growth, and creating an inclusive culture. Provide examples of how you've supported team members in achieving their goals and fostering a collaborative environment.

Highlight your understanding of student needs and campus climate. Share innovative ideas for programs that resonate with students, and explain how you would involve them in shaping these initiatives.

Address your commitment to diversity and inclusion by outlining specific policies, programming, and training you would implement to create a respectful atmosphere for all Jewish expressions and identities.

Detail your successful fundraising initiatives and the skills you've developed in managing budgets and donor relations. Describe how you plan to use these experiences to secure financial resources for Santa Cruz Hillel.

Emphasize your adaptability and responsiveness to student feedback. Mention strategies for assessing their needs regularly and how you plan to evolve Hillel's programs to stay relevant.

Express a nuanced understanding of current challenges, such as antisemitism, student apathy, and the need for diverse programming. Discuss how you would address these challenges creatively and proactively.

Share your personal connection to Jewish life and education, and articulate why this mission resonates with you. Mention any relevant experiences that help illustrate your dedication.

Outline your plan to assess the current situation, meet with key stakeholders, and identify areas for improvement. Focus on quick wins that can foster trust and signal your vision for Hillel's future.

Define success in tangible terms, such as increased student engagement, successful fundraising outcomes, or enhanced community partnerships. Share your vision of Hillel thriving as a central hub for Jewish student life.