Executive Director, Midwest Region

American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) seeks a creative, aspirational, and collaborative advancement professional to serve as the executive director for the Midwest Region (executive director). In this role, the executive director will lead and direct the fundraising efforts for the region, oversee the Midwest team, and engage and partner with a dedicated board of lay leaders to further elevate philanthropic success. Building upon the momentum of the recent conclusion of a $1 billion global campaign and the appointment of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s new president, Prof. Tamir Sheafer, AFHU is poised for continued growth and excellence with ambitious long-term philanthropic objectives and the development of the university’s next global comprehensive campaign.

Founded in 1925 to raise awareness and support for the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Hebrew University), AFHU is a national nonprofit headquartered in New York City. Through the philanthropic leadership of American friends throughout the US, AFHU helps the university recruit and retain outstanding faculty, build teaching and research facilities, provide scholarships and fellowships, and advance basic and applied research in many vital fields.

Reporting to the chief development officer of AFHU, Alison Freed, the executive director is responsible for the fundraising strategy, leadership, and development of AFHU’s Midwest Region. Headquartered in Chicago, IL, the executive director will build donor pools and elevate presence and impact across the Midwest, expanding AFHU’s footprint in key cities including St. Louis, Madison, Cincinnati, Detroit, Cleveland, and Columbus. The executive director will build and empower a strong fundraising team, leading a staff of two, including the hiring of an associate executive director. As part of AFHU’s overall annual fundraising goal of $70 million, the executive director will be responsible for an annual regional fundraising goal of $5 million for fiscal year 2026 and will drive strategy to grow total fundraising in future years. This is an exceptional opportunity and moment in time for a proven fundraiser to lead the development and execution of sophisticated fundraising strategies for the Midwest, expand the regional philanthropic program, and collaborate closely with lay leadership, national colleagues, and the university community to contribute to the continued growth and impact of AFHU and Hebrew University.

The ideal candidate will be an entrepreneurial, resourceful, and adaptable fundraiser with the drive and humility to lead autonomously in the Midwest Region while working closely with AFHU national leadership, peers, and partners. The executive director will have at least seven years of successful fundraising experience, preferably within a Jewish communal, higher education, or nonprofit setting. The executive director must possess demonstrated strength and success in the solicitation and stewardship of major gifts, and leading the discovery and cultivation of major gift donors, leveraging data and systems to inform strategy. The executive director must possess a keen understanding of fundraising best practices and demonstrate the credibility, maturity, and sophistication necessary to engage with senior leaders, high-level volunteers, and diverse groups of internal and external constituents. Critical to the executive director’s success will be a deep alignment with and ability to articulate and reflect the mission and values of AFHU and Hebrew University. Knowledge of Israel, its history, current events, and an ability to represent an international university are essential. A bachelor’s degree is required. 

This is a permanent, full-time position in Chicago, Illinois, with a salary range of $175,000 to $195,000. The wage/salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training.

Jack Gorman is leading this search with Bryce Ervin and Ryan Cheung.

American Friends of the Hebrew University is an equal-opportunity employer.