Executive Director of Chicago
Mission and Philosophy
The Shalom Hartman Institute is a leading center of Jewish thought and education, serving Israel and North America. Our mission is to strengthen Jewish peoplehood, identity and pluralism and ensure that Judaism is a compelling force for good in the 21st century.
Position
SHI North America (SHI NA) has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, motivated, experienced, creative, and organized professional to represent the Institute.
The Director of Chicago will play a primary role in leading the Institute’s programmatic and development work in Chicago. This professional will cultivate a deep understanding of the needs of SHI NA’s partners and target audiences as well as a thorough grasp of the programmatic and consultative resources SHI NA offers - in order to establish sophisticated and relevant ongoing partnerships and programs. With this position will also come opportunities to engage in national curricular or educational work. Key responsibilities include strategic relationship engagement; creative program development, internal management and administration; public presence; fundraising leadership; and collaboration with colleagues to coordinate and manage SHI NA’s local presence. This position requires someone who has a deep understanding of Chicago’s Jewish communal landscape, is an excellent relationship-builder, communicator, strong on follow-through, detail-oriented, and a quick learner. The ideal candidate for this position will also have a commitment to SHI NA’s mission, will be someone who can take initiative in identifying problems and devising solutions, and must have strong interpersonal skills to help implement those solutions with good judgment, discretion, and tact. Based in Chicago, this individual will work closely with the entire program and development teams.
Responsibilities and Duties
The primary responsibilities of the position include:
- Identify key institutions, areas of interest and key challenges related to contemporary Jewish life, particularly those related to key Hartman research areas including Jewish peoplehood, leadership, civics, gender equality and Israel.
- Stewarding existing relationships with individuals and institutions and cultivating new partnerships.
- Designing, planning, and executing programs. Design work includes developing program strategy, format, and content to creatively deploy SHI NA’s thought leadership and programmatic resources. Planning and execution work includes managing faculty preparation, and overseeing travel, budget, venue and catering, and materials, with administrative support.
- Serving as a local face of SHI NA; supporting local fundraising activities and marketing / branding strategy in partnership with the larger SHI NA teams.
- Working in partnership with national leadership team to design and implement national educational or curricular strategies or projects.
Qualifications
Experience and Knowledge
- Deep knowledge of the Chicago Jewish communal landscape and institutions, relationships with local leaders
- Strong track record developing and cultivating individual and institutional partnerships - including donor relationships
- Experience with conceiving of and developing educational programs
- Demonstrated experience with and a superior track record with event planning and execution including creating and managing timelines and work plans; sourcing, negotiating with and managing vendors including caterers; day-of team management
- Strong understanding of or ability to learn SHI NA’s educational content, key questions, and unique approach
- Experience with successfully leading a team / supervising
Specific Skills and Personal Characteristics
- Highly professional demeanor
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Exceptionally organized and detail-oriented; able to manage multiple complex tasks
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
- Proven ability to thrive in a dynamic, high-energy environment
- Track record of demonstrating sound judgment by making appropriate decisions and knowing when to take initiative in identifying problems and devising solutions
- Capable of working independently as well as collaboratively
- Excellent interpersonal abilities including a customer-service oriented demeanor
- Flexible work style with the ability to work under tight deadlines and with shifting priorities
- Inquisitiveness and an openness to learning, including new software and technologies
- Good sense of humor
Abilities
- Ability to travel frequently around Chicago and to New York and Israel at times
- Ability to staff evening and weekend programs
Education Level
- BA / BS or equivalent, and related MA or higher
Salary range and benefits: $110,000 - $160,000, commensurate with experience. Very competitive benefits package. SHI NA is an equal opportunity employer.
To apply:
Please send a resume and cover letter below. The cover letter should include descriptions of positions with relevant experience, and demonstration of successful expertise in the core demands of the position. No phone calls please.
We thank you for your interest in career opportunities with The Shalom Hartman Institute. Due to anticipated high volume, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Candidates who will be interviewed can expect a response within 3-4 weeks.
We deeply value the diversity of insight, perspective, and experience brought by people from backgrounds typically underrepresented in Jewish institutions. We also welcome applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds. The organization provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, national origin, disability condition, marital status, status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. In addition, the organization affirmatively seeks to advance the principles of equal employment opportunity as it applies to all policies and procedures relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.