Chief Executive Officer at Hillel Deutschland

Chief Executive Officer

Hillel Deutschland

To view this job description in German, please click here. 

• Full-time position (40 hours per week)
• Salary: according to the TVÖD (Federal) corresponding to Level E13 (possibly E14 depending on qualifications and experience)
• Location: Berlin, Germany
• Start date and term: Begin May 1st, 2026, limited to a contract term of 2-3 years with the possibility to extend or potentially secure an unlimited contract.

Role Overview

Hillel Deutschland is looking for a passionate, experienced leader to be their new CEO. The new CEO will have the opportunity to build upon the successful foundation that has been built over the last decade and lead Hillel Deutschland into this new chapter.  The ideal candidate will have a high level of management and supervisory experience and strategic acumen. The CEO should be passionate about the mission of Hillel and its values, be unapologetically committed to our core value of pluralism – both within the Jewish community and in broader society, and value transparency and the democratic process.  

Success in this role is defined as effectively leading a team of rising young Jewish professionals, supporting them in building sustainable Jewish community; setting the strategic vision for Hillel Deutschland; developing financial resources; supporting our students and young adults through direct relationships; and strengthening partnerships between Hillel Deutschland and leaders in the established and grassroots Jewish communities, as well as political and civil society actors. The CEO will be an essential partner to the Vorstand (Executive Board of Directors) and meet regularly to facilitate good governance.

The new CEO should have familiarity with the structure of the German association (Verein) that works with a variety of stakeholders, staff, and members as well as be willing to travel regularly to Hillel activity centers across Germany and should be located in Berlin to ensure regular access to the Hillel space and our partners.

Responsibilities

Jewish Communal Leadership

• Lead Hillel Deutschland’s strategic vision and its implementation, in partnership with the Vorstand and the Hillel team, prioritizing our beneficiaries
• Establish Hillel Deutschland as a sustainable organisation with Jewish and German character, with solid income sources, staff structure, and stable projects
• Network with other actors and potential cooperation partners in the fields of Jewish life, civil society, education, business, culture and government
• Establish and maintain relationships with various organizations, Jüdische Gemeinden, foundations, and partners, and utilize those relationships to strategically enhance Hillel Deutschland’s mission
• Serve as Hillel Deutschland’s primary spokesperson, engaging the greater community in the importance of Hillel's mission/purpose, including during times of crisis
• Personally engage in fundraising with major donors and grants organizations

Management of the Association

• Report to and work closely with the Board of Directors, ensuring the organization is governed in line with Hillel’s values
• Oversee board meetings, seeking their involvement in policy decisions and fundraising, as well as to increase the overall visibility of the organization
• Financial planning, controlling, securing and applying for funding from both private foundations and public bodies
• Budget planning and tracking, including holding signing authority
• Oversee operational systems, with the support of bookkeeping team and project coordinators, that enable Hillel Deutschland to function, including payroll, team collaboration systems, payments to external contractors, and contracts and agreements
• Ensure that all legal requirements for charitable status are constantly met
• Making structural decisions within the chain of responsibility for the organization’s activities
• Supervise multiple direct reports and oversee a professional team of 6-8 staff members

Workplace Culture

• Build and maintain a culture and reputation as an employer of choice within the Jewish and nonprofit landscape
• Lead weekly team meetings and establish strong relationships with all members of the team
• Continue to strengthen and build employment and administrative policies and procedures for all functions and for the day-to-day operation of the nonprofit
• Cultivate a culture of growth and learning, including seeking our opportunities for the team’s professional development outside of the association

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent, preferably in the field of Jewish Studies, Nonprofit Management, Education, or similar
• 5+ years of experience in senior leadership or decision-making role(s) in the nonprofit sector, ideally including experience with grant acquisition
• German - minimum level C1, including advanced conversational proficiency and advanced professional proficiency in bureaucratic and procedural language
• English - advanced knowledge, including proficiency in conversation and excellent writing skills
• Alignment with Hillel Deutschland’s mission and values
• EU citizenship and/or long-term legal permission to work in the European Union

What You’ll Bring to the Job

The candidate we are seeking demonstrates all or most of the following qualities:

• Strong work ethic with a high degree of energy: There may be commitments at night or on the weekends, e.g. scheduled events as well as the need to respond in crisis situations promptly.
• Solid strategic thinking skills
• Experience supervising and mentoring  a team
• Experience in project management and organizational operations
• A deep understanding of working with funders, public authorities, political stakeholders, as well as the Jewish landscape in Germany
• Charismatic leadership with a drive for success, resilience and adaptability
• An attitude of proactive communication and collaboration
• Solid, proven organizational skills, including planning, attention to detail, multitasking, prioritization, delegating, program development and task facilitation
• Capacity to create space for a diversity of perspectives and allow all voices of students and staff to be heard
• Proven fundraising and financial management skills
• Strong relationship building skills and comfort working with diverse populations different from your own
• Enthusiasm for the work of community building
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Expertise in administering a publicly funded German/European institution, particularly regarding the creation and maintenance of structural conditions such as financing, planning and strategy development, public relations, personnel management, and cultural policy competence
• Managerial experience in the context of a German eingetragener Verein

What We Offer

• Fair NGO-level compensation according to the federal tariff contract of public service workers (TVöD – Bund) corresponding to Level E13 (possibly E14 depending on qualifications and experience)
• A leadership position with a high degree of responsibility
• A diverse range of tasks – every day is exciting and different, with its own unique challenges
• The opportunity to help shape the future of Jewish life in Germany, in the context of its tragic history, and build the foundation for a bright and inspiring future to motivate Jewish communities around the world
• The opportunity to build the structure of a young and growing organization
• A highly motivated, competent, and committed team and volunteer membership who implement innovative ideas together
• Competitive compensation
• Choice of a complimentary Deutschlandticket or Bike-Leasing (“Dienstrad”)
• Flexible home office 1-2 days per week
• Personal and professional development: Space for your professional and personal growth with training and supervision opportunities
• A supportive community of international colleagues leading Hillels in Poland, Latin America, Israel, the United States, Canada, and beyond
• Healthcare, vacation, and leave policies in line with Germany’s statutory requirements
• Opportunities for travel to the U.S., Europe, and possibly to Israel

About Hillel Deutschland e.V.

Established in 2019, Hillel Deutschland is a registered charitable association working to bring young Jews together to live more fulfilling lives. With programs rich in Jewish content, an exciting and nationally-recognized brand, and partnerships with Germany’s leading Jewish organizations, Hillel Deutschland actively builds the next generation of engaged, knowledgeable, proud, and capable Jewish life. We aspire to cultivate within students a commitment to the core values of kindness, justice, Torah, and to live the value of pluralism in both a Jewish and civic context. 

Hillel Deutschland has grown rapidly in just over six years, reaching approximately 2000 Jewish students and young adults annually. We have a professional team and a robust internship program, enabling Hillel activities across the country in Berlin, Bremen, Leipzig, Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf, Munich, and Stuttgart. Our headquarters in Berlin are home to twice-monthly Shabbatot, Jewish holidays, learning, and social events, and in addition have pleasant office spaces, good coffee, and a central location with easy access to public transit. The office is mostly barrier-free, with elevator access. Please let us know your preferred pronouns in your application.