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 Hillel’s 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 schmoozing—bringing 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, you’ll 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 You’ll 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 Hillel's 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 Hillel's 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 organization's 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 Jewi