Senior Director of Operations and Administration

Ohio State University Hillel

Role Overview

The Senior Director of Operations and Administration (SDOA) is a key leadership role responsible for building operational excellence across OSU Hillel. This individual will partner with the CEO to drive organizational growth, modernization, and continuous improvement. As the operational backbone of the organization, the SDOA will optimize systems, elevate the student and stakeholder experience, and maximize the potential of OSU Hillel’s 27,000-square-foot facility — the central hub for pluralistic Jewish life at Ohio State.

This role requires an experienced and strategic leader who will lead OSU Hillel to operational optimization. The ideal candidate is a critical thinker, problem solver and has strong people leadership experience. Essential qualities include a service-oriented mindset, proven change management skills, innovative thinking, fluency with business technologies (including AI as a tool) and ability to seamlessly balance big-picture thinking with day-to-day execution.

What You’ll Do

Operational Leadership and Organizational Support

• Partner with the CEO to ensure operational excellence and organizational effectiveness across all functional areas and support organization-wide strategic initiatives
• Update and document processes, systems, and workflows that lead to efficiency and more seamless service delivery
• Maintain visibility across all organizational activities and proactively identify operational gaps, risks and/or opportunities for improvement.
• Provide leadership and triage support for operational challenges as they arise.
• Foster a collaborative, responsive, and service-focused environment that maximizes technology for operational efficiency, and supports employees, students, and community stakeholders.
• Partner with staff and student leaders to ensure successful execution of on-site and off-site programs and events.

Technology & Systems

• Oversee organizational technology infrastructure and ensure systems effectively support operational efficiency, programmatic needs, and interactive communication platforms.
• Evaluate current technology platforms, workflows, and digital practices to determine opportunities for improvement and increased efficiency.
• Build the future technology roadmap and lead implementation that includes digitization and process modernization across all functional areas and technology platforms.
• Partner with external managed service providers (MSPs), contractors, or consultants as authorized to support and maximize technology operations, cybersecurity, hardware/software management, AI efficiencies, and systems implementation.

Facilities, Security & Building Operations

• Oversee maintenance, functionality, security, and presentation of OSU Hillel’s building and grounds.
• Manage vendor and contractor relationships, preventative maintenance, repairs, and facility upgrades.
• Coordinate building security operations in partnership with Columbus and OSU Police Departments, JewishColumbus security partners, and special duty police/security.
• Support space planning for the facility, ensuring the building space is optimized to meet students and staff needs.

Food Service

• Evaluate and strengthen café operations, staffing, menus, and student engagement opportunities.
• Supervise and support the Chef and oversee operational processes including inventory, vendors, and facility needs.
• Coordinate with kosher supervision partners to ensure compliance with kosher standards.

Finance & HR Administration

• Collaborate with the organization’s fractional CFO and accounting partners to improve financial systems and processes with a focus on technology, modernization and efficiency.
• Responsible for operational budget oversight, forecasting, vendor agreements, and expense management, café pricing and overall operational financial planning with an emphasis on facilities and café operations.
• Assist with development and execution of HR processes.

What You’ll Bring to the Job

Required Skills & Abilities

• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, administration, organizational management and business technology (including AI as a tool).
• Proven success leading operational improvements, process modernization and organizational change initiatives.
• Strong leadership, project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with a strong customer-service mindset.
• Experience supervising staff, managing vendors and contractors, and fostering a collaborative, accountable culture.
• Strong technology aptitude and experience leveraging systems and digital tools to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Financial and operational acumen, including experience managing budgets, vendor agreements, and operational spending.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and adaptability.
• Expert proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, online expense management platforms (preferably bill.com), QuickBooks online and AI (Claude, ChatGPT and/or others).
• Bachelor’s degree, ideally in a business discipline, required; advanced degree and/or relevant certifications are strongly preferred.

Preferred Experience

• Prior experience in a nonprofit or higher education environment.
• Familiarity with Jewish communal organizations and Jewish traditions.
• Knowledge of the laws of kashrut and/or experience with kosher food service.
• Passion for working with and building relationships with college students.

What You’ll Receive

• Competitive salary in the nonprofit marketplace. The salary range for this role is $110,000 - $120,000. Salary could increase higher for a highly experienced candidate.
• Exceptional professional development, mentoring, and skill-building opportunities.
• A comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, Long Term Disability (LTD), Flexible Spending Plan, generous vacation/sick time, and parental leave.
• Independent and hands-on work in an exciting environment.
• A network of terrific colleagues from across the global Hillel movement.
• Travel opportunities, both domestically and internationally.

Why OSU Hillel?

There has never been a better or more important time to join Hillel at THE Ohio State University. As the third-oldest Hillel in North America, we proudly celebrated our 100th anniversary in 2025, and we continue to build on a rich and dynamic history. With new leadership, we are at the helm of a new frontier and we hope YOU will help us chart the course. OSU Hillel aspires to be the best Hillel in the country and we are looking for the best and brightest talent to join our amazing team. We are innovative. We are inclusive. We challenge the status quo and strive to be at the forefront of trends within the Jewish and non-profit communities. Work for an organization where your time and talent will be valued, and your voice will be heard.

OSU 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.