Managing Director at Grinspoon Hillel at Cornell

Managing Director

Grinspoon Hillel at Cornell

Role Overview

Grinspoon Hillel at Cornell seeks a Managing Director - an enterprising, strategic, and relationship-driven executive who will lead the vision, execution, and growth of Jewish life on one of the nation’s most vibrant campuses.

As Hillel’s senior campus executive, the Managing Director oversees all aspects of student life, engagement, and communications. This leader will supervise a team of 7+ program and professional staff, guide the strategic direction for program excellence, and serve as the primary face of Hillel’s student affairs presence to the University, parents, and community partners.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for a talented Jewish professional to shape a thriving campus community, inspire professional and student leaders, and ensure that Grinspoon Hillel remains one of the nation’s premier centers for Jewish life, learning, and connection.

Scope of Leadership 

The Managing Director leads the campus program and engagement strategy of a $2M+ Hillel, supervising 7+ program professionals, and partnering with senior leadership on operations, communications, and community relations. This role directs the student-facing mission of one of the largest and most dynamic Hillels in North America. The Managing Director reports to the CEO.

Why This Role Matters

The Managing Director will shape the future of Jewish life at Cornell.  This is an exciting time at Grinspoon Hillel.  Harkavy Hall, our new Hillel center, is scheduled to open in summer 2027. This is an opportunity to shape the vision and operations of one of the premier Hillel buildings in the country and lead a high-performing team, innovate at scale, and help thousands of students build lifelong Jewish friendships and experiences.

This role is ideal for an experienced senior Jewish professional ready to lead at scale — shaping the future of Jewish life on campus while partnering closely with a seasoned CEO. You’ll be part of a forward-thinking organization that values creativity, professionalism, and purpose — and you’ll make a lasting mark on the next generation of Jewish leaders.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Lead the development and execution of Hillel’s overall programmatic and engagement strategy for Jewish life at Cornell, grounded in an engagement-first philosophy that values breadth, depth, and belonging.
• Translate mission and vision into a clear set of goals, systems, and metrics that promote student connection, leadership development, and community impact.
• Partner with the CEO and Board on long-range program planning, annual goals, and evaluation.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and joy among students and staff.

Team Supervision & Professional Development

• Supervise, coach, and inspire the program and engagement staff team.
• Lead weekly team meetings, onboarding, and ongoing professional development.
• Establish clear expectations and systems that promote accountability, creativity, and excellence.
• Model strong management practices and a relational, student-centered approach.
• Build a culture that develops emerging professional talent—mentoring staff toward future leadership within Hillel and the broader Jewish community.

Student Engagement & Leadership Development

• Guide the structure and growth of student-led affinity groups (e.g., Greek Council, Wellness, Israel interest groups, Launchpad Career Networking, Cultural and Social programs).
• Develop a sustainable leadership framework that empowers students to design and lead meaningful Jewish experiences while maintaining professional mentorship and oversight.
• Nurture student leadership for Shabbat, holidays, and community-building programs, ensuring diverse, accessible opportunities.
• Oversee recruitment and execution of major student experiences, including FreshFest, Israel leadership delegations, and immersive learning trips.

Technology, Communications & Systems

• Oversee the integration of digital tools and communications systems that support engagement and connection, including CRM, website, event registration, texting platforms, and social media.
• Create and implement operation systems for Harkavy Hall, Hillel's new building, to open in summer 2027
• Lead all non-fundraising communications to students and parents, including weekly student e-news, parent updates, and program announcements.
• Ensure Hillel’s digital presence reflects the excellence, inclusivity, and vibrancy of our on-campus work.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Operations team to ensure data systems capture engagement metrics and support organizational learning.

Campus & Community Partnerships

• Serve as Hillel’s senior representative for student life and campus relations, building trusted partnerships with university administration, faculty, student organizations, and Jewish communal leaders.
• Function as the public voice of Hillel’s student engagement and education mission, representing the organization in campus coalitions, orientation programs, leadership councils, and university-level events.
• Partner with Jewish communal organizations and campus departments to amplify opportunities and shared resources.

Organizational Stewardship

• Manage program budgets, grant reporting, and evaluation processes to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
• Collaborate with the CEO on communications that support stewardship, public visibility, and institutional excellence.
• Uphold a standard of operational, ethical, and professional integrity consistent with Hillel International best practices.

Who You Are

• A seasoned professional (8 + years) with proven leadership in Jewish, nonprofit, or educational settings.
• A strategic thinker and empathetic team leader who thrives in dynamic, relationship-driven environments.
• Skilled in building teams, coaching staff, and creating systems that scale engagement and impact.
• Fluent in Jewish culture, learning, and community life; comfortable across a broad range of Jewish identities and expressions.
• Technologically confident — experienced in CRM systems (Salesforce or similar), digital communication, and audience development.
• A relational leader who loves working directly with students and mentoring young professionals.
• Flexible, curious, and energized by campus life — including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.

What You’ll Receive

• Salary - Approximately $125,000 to $135,000 annually, commensurate with executive-level experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, long-term disability, generous vacation and sick leave, and parental leave.
• Robust professional development, mentoring, and national network engagement through Hillel International.
• Opportunities for travel to Israel and national leadership convenings.
• Professional Development budget

About Grinspoon Hillel at Cornell

Founded in 1929 and now serving the largest Jewish student population in the Ivy League, Grinspoon Hillel aims to inspire every Jewish student to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel. We seek to empower Jewish students to build vibrant and engaging communities that cultivate ownership of identity, a sense of the dynamic role of Judaism, and an appreciation of the rich diversity of the Jewish experience. We believe in a pluralism that begins with the diversity of our staff.

Grinspoon Hillel is located in Ithaca, NY, which combines small-town life with a world-class academic/college-town community. Ithaca has been named one of the top 100 places to live, a top 10 recreation city, the best green place to live, and one of the "foodiest" towns in America. Cornell University is one of the world’s foremost institutions of higher education, with eight undergraduate schools and five graduate schools located in Ithaca, NY, in the Finger Lakes Region of Central New York State. Hillel is currently housed in Anabel Taylor Hall, home of the Cornell United Religious Works and has a programming house on North Campus.  In summer 2027, Hillel will open a 23,000 square foot Hillel Center. Jewish students make up approximately one-quarter of the student body on the Ithaca campus, approximately 2,500 students. Grinspoon Hillel currently engages a talented professional team of 12 full-time and one part-time professional.

Grinspoon Hillel is affiliated with Hillel International. Hillel International enriches the lives of Jewish students so they may enrich the Jewish people and the world, and envisions a world where every student is inspired to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning and Israel.