Interim Executive Director

Santa Cruz Hillel seeks a dynamic, part-time interim Executive Director to guide our diverse and vibrant community through the exciting transition to a new full-time leader. If you’re passionate about Jewish campus life, experienced in steering organizations through change, and energized by the effect of t of fundraising, we’d love to meet you! This role is approximately 25 hours per week, much of which can be completed remotely. Join us in shaping the next chapter of Jewish life at UC Santa Cruz!

What you’ll do:

• 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.
• Provide the Board of Directors with the information they require to fulfill their obligation to monitor and govern Santa Cruz Hillel and make informed decisions.
• Manage all fundraising efforts to maintain Santa Cruz Hillel’s excellent fundraising on target for the fiscal year; this includes maintaining donor relations and stewardship, fundraising events, email campaigns, and direct solicitations.
• Personally engage in fundraising with major donors and grant organizations and continually work to develop additional revenue sources.
• Oversee and maintain Hillel's fiscal operation through budget planning and management processes.
• Maintain 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.
• 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.
• Supervise and support Hillel staff.
• Ensure Hillel is a safe space for students and provides them with tools to address and respond to antisemitic activity on campus. 

What You’ve Accomplished:

• Led organizations or programs and had a proven, measurable record of success in achieving goals.  
• Provided excellent management and supervision to a team of professionals, supported their accomplishments, and developed their potential. 
• Brought in major gifts and institutional support.
• Successfully partnered with a non-profit board of directors, facilitated board development, managed stakeholder relations, and maintained sound financial management processes, including budgeting and cost controls.

A bachelor’s degree is required, and a master’s degree in a related field is a plus. However, we will consider a range of candidates’ experiences and credentials. 

What You’ll Bring to the Job:

• At least five years of leadership experience in either 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 the innate ability to inspire 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, multitasking, 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. 
• Strong relationship-building skills and comfort working with diverse populations different from yours. 
• An understanding of Judaism, Israel, and antisemitism in a way that is approachable and meets students at various points in their Jewish journey. 

Compensation & Benefits:

• This is a part-time, contract (1099) temporary position with an hourly rate of $85.00.
• This position is not eligible for benefits.

About Santa Cruz Hillel

Located between the beach and the redwoods, Santa Cruz Hillel supports Jewish students in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Serving 400 students annually and potentially hundreds more, Santa Cruz Hillel is a unique Hillel built on the relaxed Santa Cruz culture while serving an activist student population. As a small Hillel team of three, each staff member has the opportunity to create a lasting impact on the future of Santa Cruz Hillel and all of the students who engage with us. 

Santa Cruz Hillel is located in the beach town of Santa Cruz, California, and serves as one of a handful of Jewish organizations in the county. As a Hillel without a permanent building, programs and meetings occur on campus, in coffee shops, parks on patios, and in nature. 

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

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

[email protected]