VP of Faculty Programs and Initiatives

Hillel International

Role Overview

Over the past several years, and especially following 10/7, campuses have seen an unprecedented increase in antisemitic activity, including physical assaults, vandalism, violent threats, harassment, and discrimination.  A particularly worrisome feature of this increase has occurred in academic and co-curricular contexts, where Jewish students have reported over 340 incidents specifically initiated by faculty since 10/7 and over 160 in this academic year alone.  These incidents include being singled out, marginalized, bullied, and having their academic experiences distorted by faculty inserting personal political objectives and biases into class discussions, readings, assignments, and exams that are unrelated to the subject matter of the course. 

Responding to these developments, Hillel International created its Campus Climate Initiative (CCI), which works with administrators from over 100 higher education institutions across the United States to ensure a positive campus climate in which Jewish students feel comfortable expressing their identity free of antisemitism, harassment, or marginalization. The current moment now requires the CCI program to focus additional effort on antisemitism particularly spiraling in our students’ academic experiences.  

In this context Hillel has been collaborating with the Academic Engagement Network (AEN) to help administrators and faculty address these problems which challenge bedrock goals and values of higher education including the discovery and dissemination of knowledge and respect for free inquiry and diversity of viewpoints.

The Vice President of Faculty Programs and Initiatives is a new leadership position for Hillel International within the University Initiatives space, and will be responsible for spearheading Hillel’s efforts to address these concerns head-on.  The position will create and lead new educational opportunities for faculty-focused academic leaders and faculty to understand the roots and scope of these challenges and develop affirmative steps to address them.  Reporting to the Senior Vice President for University Initiatives & General Counsel, this position will work in close collaboration with the Hillel CCI team who are recognized experts in helping college and university leaders understand and address the spike in campus antisemitism.  This position will also actively partner with AEN which mobilizes faculty to counter antisemitism, promote academic freedom, and advance education about Israel.

This role has a flexible location, with a willingness to travel.

What You’ll Do

• Create, plan, and execute new educational opportunities for faculty-focused academic leaders (provosts, VPs academic affairs, deans of faculty, academic department heads, etc.) and faculty to understand the roots and scope of antisemitism in academic spaces. 
• Interface directly with senior academic leaders, faculty, and Hillel professionals within the Schusterman International Center and on campus to take specific, affirmative steps to address antisemitic activity so that Jewish students can fully express their identities and values without fear of bullying, harassment, and discrimination. 
• Become a trusted and sought-after advisor to academic leaders and faculty seeking to adopt effective policies and practices that address antisemitism in academic spaces and campus climate concerns more broadly.
• Engage in development activities in collaboration with the SVP/GC and Hillel International development professionals including fundraising and donor engagement opportunities.  
• Work collaboratively with the Academic Engagement Network and other Jewish, faculty, and higher education organizations to achieve the above goals.

What You’ll Bring to the Job

• 5+ years of academic leadership experience as a provost, VP academic affairs, VP faculty affairs, academic department chair, or similar leadership role in higher education focusing on academic programs and planning, faculty development, academic performance, faculty evaluation and discipline, and related areas. 
• Tenured faculty appointment in a higher education institution.
• Familiarity with university practices, policies, and current concerns related to campus climate, diversity, equity and inclusion, academic freedom and tenure, and free speech.
• Special awareness and understanding of issues affecting Jewish and Israel-identifying students, including campus antisemitism and anti-Zionism.
• PhD or other terminal academic degree.

What You’ll Receive

• The anticipated compensation range for this role is $175,000-$215,000. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may depend on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special 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.

#LI-REMOTE

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.