Executive Director 

Brody Jewish Center, Hillel at University of Virginia (UVA)

Role Overview

Unleash your passion for Jewish life and education as the Brody Jewish Center (BJC) Executive Director at the University of Virginia. The Brody Jewish Center (BJC) at the prestigious University of Virginia seeks an exceptional Executive Director who embodies passion, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to fostering vibrant Jewish experiences. As the driving force behind the BJC, you'll be the visionary shaping the strategic direction of our dynamic community, a beacon of inspiration for our professional team, and a catalyst for student engagement. The Executive Director of the BJC needs a strong relationship builder across varied constituencies, including students, staff, donors/stakeholders, university administrators, board members, and local Charlottesville community members.   Your commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel will not just be a job but a transformative journey where tradition meets innovation.

What you’ll do

Strategy & Vision: 

• Embrace the Brody Jewish Center’s unique, student-led, and diverse culture. Find opportunities for partnership and connection where these opportunities intersect with BJC’s priorities and the larger Hillel movement.
• Inspire and organize pluralistic, diverse Jewish life on Grounds. Create strategies to expand the base of the Jewish student community to include a multiplicity of Jewish backgrounds and interests that complement students’ other priorities during their college experience.
• Lead the organization in vision and strategic planning. Manage all financial responsibilities, operating within the approved budget, ensuring resource development and utilization, and keeping the organization in a positive financial position. 

Financial Resource Development: 

• Develop the Brody Jewish Center’s financial resources to be commensurate with the organization’s programming and growth collaboratively with the development professional. 
• Develop and implement a robust, multi-faceted annual development plan, including stewardship of gifts and donor relations. 
• Personally engage in donor solicitation and stewardship and manage relationships with granting organizations and foundations. 
• Actively work to develop additional revenue resources.

Staff Supervision & Development: 

• Supervise and mentor a professional staff team of 5 FTEs (full-time employees) and 2 PT (part-time).
• Be the architect of professional growth, leading and mentoring a team that breathes life into our vision of pluralism, inclusivity, and student leadership development.
• Establish a culture of professional development and growth. 

Stakeholder and External Relations:

• Serve as the Brody Jewish Center’s 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.
• Create a culture of shared responsibility and engagement among members of the board of directors and cultivate relationships with prospective board members who can provide generative and strategic leadership. 
• Extend your influence beyond the campus, cultivating relationships with students, university leaders, the local Jewish community, and nationwide alumni and parents. You will be the voice of BJC, passionately championing Hillel’s mission.

Student Engagement:

• Serve as an inspiring Jewish role model and a strong leader for students; cultivate meaningful relationships with students and ensure all Jewish students feel welcome at the BJC.
• Ensure the student engagement strategy is dynamic, inclusive, and successful in meeting its goals.
• Recognize and adapt to the changing needs of Jewish college students, Jewish identity development, and campus climate. 
• Ensure BJC is a safe space for students, addressing antisemitism and anti-Israel activities on campus.

Operations & Financial Management:

• Oversee all facility operations, including preventive maintenance, repairs, and improvements/renovations. 
• Manage and negotiate contracts with grantors, service providers, and vendors as needed.
• Ensure the facility's and its occupants' security through coordination with law enforcement agencies and community security experts. 
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of accounts payable, deposits, payroll, and all other financial transactions. 
• Ensure ongoing and proper financial management through coordination with accountants, auditors, and financial institutions for an organizational budget of approximately $750,000. 
• Prepare monthly financial summaries for review by the Executive Committee.

What you’ll bring

• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience, with at least three years in a leadership role in a Jewish or secular nonprofit, higher education, or related organization. Past Hillel experience is strongly valued.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Experience working with and/or for an organization serving young adults (18-24 years old).
• A track record of leading an organization or program with a proven and measurable success result.
• Experience managing a team of professionals and supporting them to accomplish their best work and develop their potential. 
• Demonstrated personal fundraising experience, including executing annual fundraising campaigns, cultivation, stewardship, and major gift solicitation. 
• Successfully partnered with a non-profit board of directors, granting foundations and grant-issuing organizations. 
• Sound financial management practices, including budgeting and cost controls
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Strong administrative skills and knowledge of finance. 
• A nuanced understanding of Judaism, Israel, and antisemitism in a way that is accessible and meets students at various points in their personal Jewish journey. 
• A commitment to travel, as needed, throughout Virginia and beyond to cultivate supporters and leadership and receive professional training. 
• Passion, wisdom, and maturity that will inspire students, staff, and other key stakeholders. 

What you’ll receive

• Competitive salary in the non-profit marketplace. The salary range for this role is $115,000 - $125,000, depending upon skills, qualifications, and experience. 
• Medical Insurance, Life insurance, long-term disability (LTD), vacation/sick time, and parental leave. 
• Professional development, mentoring, and skill-building opportunities. 
• 100% paid travel opportunities throughout the U.S. and to Israel. 
• A supportive and committed board of lay leaders. 
• Access to and support from Hillel International and the larger Hillel movement.

Ready to infuse passion into every aspect of Jewish life at UVA? Your transformative journey starts here! Apply now to be our next Executive Director and lead the way to a brighter, more connected future for the Brody Jewish Center. Preference will be given to those who apply by February 3, 2024. 

About the Brody Jewish Center

For over 85 years, the BJC has been a cornerstone of Jewish life at UVA, fostering dynamic engagement and leadership development. Join us as we continue this legacy, partnering with the university and the wider Jewish community to create an enduring impact. The Brody Jewish Center (BJC) serves approximately 1,000 undergraduate and 400 graduate students at the University of Virginia. BJC strives to empower students to take ownership of their Jewish identities and to make an enduring commitment to Judaism and the Jewish people. The BJC at UVA engages students in vibrant and meaningful Jewish experiences by emphasizing Jewish learning, community building, and personal growth. The BJC is housed in an 18,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building. Governed by a geographically diverse board of directors, the Brody Jewish Center enjoys strong partnerships with the UVA campus partners and community organizations. 

About the University of Virginia

The University of Virginia is distinctive among institutions of higher education. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University sustains the ideal of developing, through education, well-prepared leaders to help shape the nation's future. The University is public while nourished by the strong support of its alumni. The University of Virginia is the No. 5 best public university and 24th overall in the 2024 edition of the U.S. News and World Report rankings. 

About Charlottesville

Located 2 hours southwest of Washington, DC, Charlottesville is a thriving city with a population of over 45,000 and a metropolitan population nearing 220,000. In 2023, Outside magazine named Charlottesville the 5th happiest city in the country. Charlottesville’s downtown mall is a tree-lined pedestrian mall with great restaurants, bars, shops, a theater, and an outdoor amphitheater.  Some of the world-class performers the city has recently hosted include the Dave Matthews Band, Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Cirque du Soleil, and Yo-Yo Ma. Numerous wineries and breweries and the historic homes of Presidents Madison, Monroe, and Jefferson surround Charlottesville. Charlottesville hosts the annual Virginia Film Festival in October and the Virginia Festival of the Book in March. Charlottesville boasts beautiful mountains, wonderful hiking trails, and close proximity to Shenandoah National Park.

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

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

jsosnow@hillel.org