Applications submitted through the Hillel International website will NOT be considered. To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter directly to the search firm Heidrick & Struggles via email to HillelCFO@heidrick.com.
Chief Financial Officer Hillel International Role Overview
In recent years, Hillel International (“Hillel”) has experienced significant revenue, operational and programmatic growth, all while navigating a series of disruptions, including a rise in antisemitism on campus, global conflicts impacting operations, and shifts in student education trends. These changes present an opportunity for a CFO who is both a strategic thinker and a resilient leader, who will work closely with leadership to ensure that Hillel’s mission thoughtfully evolves to address the current landscape, while positioning the organization for future success. As Hillel continues to expand, the CFO will be essential in managing this growth and ensuring financial stability.
Hillel’s CFO will be an instrumental business partner to the Chief Executive Officer, the executive leadership team, and the Board of Directors, overseeing an operating budget for Hillel International of approximately $75 million, as well as supporting the fiscal health and operations of the full Hillel affiliate network (encompassing $200 million in annual budget, inclusive of Hillel International.) The CFO will be responsible for building the longterm financial strategy for Hillel, providing strategic direction to the finance and administration teams, ensuring sustainable financial health, supporting prioritization of resources across programs and departments, and driving innovative financial solutions that align with Hillel’s mission and goals.
The CFO will staff the Audit, Finance, and Investment Committees of the Hillel International Board of Directors. Additionally, the CFO will be responsible for harnessing the talents of Hillel’s finance and administration professionals, building and managing a strong, collaborative team. As a vital member of the executive leadership team, the CFO will play an important role in fostering Hillel’s innovative culture, which has translated into a steady stream of new programs and initiatives responsive to the evolving needs of Jewish students.
A successful candidate will bring strong financial expertise, strategic insight, and leadership skills, working closely with the executive team to align financial strategies with the organization’s mission and goals. The CFO will serve as a key advisor, offering strategic financial guidance and fostering a collaborative environment among the leadership team. This dynamic and proactive leader will navigate the complexities of a large organization, drive operational efficiencies, and contribute to the long-term strategic vision of Hillel.
This role has a flexible location, with a preference for a regular presence in Washington, DC.
What You’ll Do
- Collaborate with the CEO and executive leadership team to define the organization's financial objectives and develop alternative solutions. Present these options to management, the Finance Committees, and the Board for consensus on the best course of action, then oversee the implementation of the plan.
- Lead the budget development process, ensuring effective implementation in a complex, multi-layered environment.
- Provide disciplined financial analysis to support major organizational decisions, advising the CEO, executive team, and Board of Directors.
- Oversee the organization’s accounting systems and processes to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Ensure the timely preparation of all financial statements and reports for management, regulatory agencies, and the Board.
- Continuously improve financial reporting systems, policies, and processes across accounting, reporting, and compliance workstreams. Drive technological innovation within the finance function, utilizing advanced tools to enhance accuracy, streamline processes, and optimize strategic decision-making.
- Proactively analyze external factors that impact fiscal planning, recommending cost-reduction strategies and assessing cost/benefit effectiveness of organizational activities. Identify external opportunities and challenges affecting the organization’s fiscal health.
- Ensure the stewardship of both restricted and unrestricted donor funds, working with the executive leadership team to identify optimal uses of unrestricted funds while maintaining integrity in the management of all funds.
- Evaluate and lead the continuous development of finance and administration talent, strategically adding high-value problem solvers to strengthen the team, and promoting collaboration within finance and administration, as well as across the broader organization. Cultivate a positive team culture that aligns with Hillel’s core values, fostering an environment where these values are consistently practiced.
- Engage regularly with the Finance, Audit, and Investment Committees, collaborating closely with Committee Chairs. Lead the development of materials for the Finance, Audit, and Investment Committees, facilitating all key financial discussions with these Committees and the broader Board.
- Provide clear, concise financial updates to all staff, ensuring communication is accessible to a non-financial audience.
What You’ll Bring to the Job
- Strategic Leadership: Experience serving as a strategic partner to leadership of a complex organization. Ability to participate in strategic discussions with the CEO and other senior leaders of the organization and to bring financial and operational acumen to that discussion.
- Breadth of Financial Expertise: Experience in a senior leadership role in finance or other relevant function, working with senior-level management and a Board. Broad background, with strength in accounting, forecasting and planning, investment, real estate, IT, and process management.
- Operational Excellence: Successful leadership in an organization of relevant size and complexity. The ability to manage a team and prioritize projects for a large financial portfolio. Experience working across functions in an organization to improve systems, procedures, and other operational efficiencies. Proven ability to look broadly to improve the overall organization and ability to suggest additional opportunities.
- Stakeholder Management: An ability to effectively operate with various stakeholders and to partner with executive leadership and multiple board committees.
- Integrity: Excellent moral judgment, especially as it relates to financial processes, personal conduct, and professional decision-making.
- Mission-Orientation: Strong commitment and passion for the mission of Hillel International: enriching the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world.
- Collaboration: Highly collaborative and effective at building strong cross-functional relationships with the executive team, staff, and Board members, as well as donors. Respects others; actively seeks and shares ideas; takes the initiative to collaborate with others and develop effective networks within and outside the organization.
- Innovation & Growth Mindset: Innovative leader who can optimize and modernize a division/team and steward growth. Takes strategic, thoughtful risks to drive the finance function.
What You’ll Receive
- The anticipated compensation range for this role is $300,000-$350,000. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.
- Hillel has a comprehensive benefits plan that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off for Jewish and federal holidays, an informal “take what you need” vacation policy, and flexible work from home policy.
About Hillel International
In 1923, Rabbi Benjamin Frankel started Hillel with humble means, a noble mission and a breathtaking vision: to convey Jewish civilization to a new generation. Today, Hillel International continues to enrich the lives of Jewish students and is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world at nearly 1,000 colleges and universities across North America and around the world. As Hillel evolves as an organization, the mission remains steadfast: to create lasting connections with every Jewish student that foster an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel and train them to become the next Jewish leaders.
Hillel is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an accepting and inclusive environment for all.
