KAHAL’s Next CEO - An Exciting Opportunity

KAHAL creates and facilitates transformational Jewish experiences for study abroad students. A robust resource and support network, KAHAL works with local communities around the world, providing Jewish study abroad students with the resources, tools, and personal connections they need to meaningfully engage with local Jewish communities, augment their transformative abroad experience, and deepen their connection to the global Jewish people. Since its founding in 2013, KAHAL has connected more than 10,000 Jewish students to immersive Jewish experiences during their life-changing time abroad. By incorporating Jewish experiences and choices into this transformative environment, KAHAL measurably increases students’ attachment to the global Jewish people and increases the likelihood of their long-term Jewish choices.

Over the past seven years, KAHAL has grown from a fledgling startup into one of the most respected, high-functioning, impactful organiza­tions in the Jewish world. KAHAL’s partnership network extends to more than 65 countries and 130 cities worldwide; our award-winning staff are energized and committed to organizational growth and impact; our board has grown, while retaining core members and increasing its role in strategic planning and decision-making; and our funding relationships have solidified, placing KAHAL—despite a pandemic-ravaged economy and travel landscape—in the strongest financial position in our history.

The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for overseeing all aspects of KAHAL’s general operations, administration, fundraising, human resources management and strategic planning efforts. The CEO reports directly to the Board of Directors and will work with the Board to establish specific goals and evaluate progress on an ongoing basis. The position carries with it phenomenal growth potential and the opportunity to lead a rapidly-growing, highly-impactful organization into the future.

Areas of responsibility include:

Organizational Development

• Manage a high-performing senior leadership team and play an active role in attracting, retaining and developing a best-in-class staff
• Model and support a positive and thriving culture of employee development and empowerment, team-building, and innovation
• Oversee the Chief Operating Officer to execute on KAHAL’s organizational priorities and ensure that all program activities operate consistently and ethically within the mission and values of KAHAL
• Work with the Chief Operating Officer to maintain strong team dynamics and create an intentional staff ethos and culture
• Provide effective and inspiring leadership to guide an organizational culture of feedback, design thinking and iteration
• Develop an annual organizational budget for approval by the Board of Directors; monitor financial performance throughout the year

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as KAHAL’s principal spokesperson, negotiator, liaison, and advocate with other organizations, outside vendors, partners, government agencies, and the press
• Serve as the primary liaison between the KAHAL staff and Board of Directors
• Work with the Board’s Governance Committee to recruit new Board Members and to maintain a strong and engaged Board
• Maintain productive, active relationships with KAHAL’s most significant funding partners
• Liaise frequently with various internal and external stakeholders, including former staff, former Board Members, former Associate Board Members, parents, former parents, alumni, and others

Resource Development

• Oversee KAHAL’s Development Team, including the Development Manager, any/all Development Interns. Work closely with the Development Chair of the Board of Directors.
• Lead KAHAL’s annual fundraising efforts, including major gift development, grant proposals and foundation relations, crowdfunding, and event planning
• Work with the Development Team to research and develop new revenue sources to help KAHAL meet its annual revenue goals
• Ensure a diversified funding base that includes earned revenue, membership, events, corporate partnerships/sponsorships, and other creative revenue sources

Strategic Planning

• Work in tandem with the Board of Directors to develop and a monitor a strategic plan for organizational growth. Lead conversations at the Board and Staff level related to goal attainment, mid-course corrections, and iterative design processes
• Lead the KAHAL Board of Directors and Staff in ongoing visioning exercises and processes to identify future programmatic, financial, or other strategic growth opportunities
• Work in tandem with the Chief Operating Officer to envision, create, develop, and manage new strategic and programmatic initiatives to advance KAHAL’s values and mission

General Responsibilities

• Participate in weekly staff meetings, staff learning sessions, and ongoing Jewish learning and professional development opportunities
• Develop personal relationships with KAHAL’s resource and program development partners, program participants, and key vendors. In the past, this has required frequent travel (both domestic and international) and is likely to be part of a successful fund development and coalition building strategy in the future. However, CEO and staff travel will be reinstated only when deemed safe by the CDC and federal health guidelines.
• Embody the values and culture of KAHAL by personal example

The salary range for this position is $100,000-$130,000 per year. Performance bonuses may be available, but are not guaranteed. In addition, KAHAL provides employees with a range of benefits, including:

• Unlimited paid-time-off (PTO)
• Flexible work hours
• World-class health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (PPO, HMO, or HSA)
• A simple IRA plan with a 3% annual employee match
• Access to group whole-life insurance plans and other financial services
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

As an international organization, we are flexible about the location of this position. Our international headquarters is located at SketchPad, Chicago’s Jewish innovation space. Given the remote nature of our workforce, we welcome strong applicants from throughout the United States. We will also consider exceptionally qualified international candidates who are willing to relocate or who are flexible about their work hours. Such candidates must be willing to spend significant time in the United States to connect with KAHAL’s funders, donors and partners.

KAHAL is an equal opportunity employer that embraces a diverse, multicultural work environment. People of all ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

To apply, please email a resume and cover letter to Susan Rothstein at Careers@KahalAbroad.org