Manager for Camel and Special Initiatives at Harvard Hillel

Manager of Special Initiatives at Harvard Hillel

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Harvard Hillel seeks an exceptional professional to lead high‑visibility, high‑impact, fast‑paced, key initiatives on campus. Over the past year some of the most exciting things happening at Harvard and the Jewish world have sprung up organically from students and staff at Hillel and we need someone with an entrepreneurial spirit to sustain and grow those efforts. You can be that person.

The core focus of the role is to grow The Camel. Launched in 2024 it is a groundbreaking student‑led initiative backed by leading figures in business and Jewish philanthropy that has quickly become one of the most dynamic platforms for Jewish and Israeli engagement at Harvard and MIT, welcoming nearly 2,000 students—half non‑Jewish—to more than 20 events featuring world‑class entrepreneurs and business leaders, and culminating in a three‑day Hackathon that brought together elite IDF veterans and Harvard/MIT students.

As The Camel scales to additional campuses and deepens ties to Israeli innovation ecosystems, this inaugural position will work with talented student leaders and staff to ensure excellence in finance, operations, stakeholder relations, and program delivery.

This role will secondarily support a second student‑run initiative – the well‑known Harvard Hillel’s Harvard College Israel Trek. This is a highly selective, peer‑led 10‑day spring‑break trip for 100 undergraduates. During the Trek, Israeli student leaders share their country mainly with non‑Jewish peers from the Harvard community, and participants consistently describe the experience as transformative. Given the intensity of planning, logistics, and promotion, the Trek requires dedicated professional support to ensure its continued excellence and impact.

As one of the world’s most influential universities, actions at Harvard set precedents that ripple across higher education – crucial work at a critical moment. This is a rare opportunity to shape high‑impact portfolios at a pivotal moment. It is a full‑time position (approximately 40 hours per week) and reports to the director of development. The primary focus is contributing to the growth of the Camel, with Trek as the secondary foci.

Camel;
Financial Management, Operations and Relationship Stewardship

Serve as the primary professional lead supporting The Camel, ensuring operational excellence, financial integrity, and strong relationships across a fast‑paced, high‑profile portfolio.

• Oversee all financial operations for The Camel, including budgeting, expense tracking, accounts payable/receivable, and financial reporting
• Support the planning and execution of 3+ logistically complex, high‑sophistication events per month, working closely with student leaders to ensure seamless delivery and mission alignment
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Steward major gifts and expenses by processing and tracking donations in coordination with the fundraising team, ensuring accurate records and timely donor acknowledgment, coordinating payments to venues, vendors, speakers, and student leaders; ensure compliance with institutional systems and nonprofit standards
• Prepare clear, regular financial and impact reports for student leadership, advisory board members, and key stakeholders and coordinate quarterly advisory board meetings with high‑profile donors and business leaders, managing logistics, communications, and follow‑up
• Utilize financial management tools (e.g., Donor Perfect, Quick Books, or similar systems) to maintain accurate, auditable records
• Maintain ongoing touch points with Camel stakeholders—including donors, speakers, and advisors—tracking engagement and strengthening long‑term relationships
• Serve as liaison between Camel student leadership, Harvard Hillel administration, and external partners
• Track program metrics and prepare impact reports for funders and institutional partners
• Prepare financial reports for student leadership, advisory board, and key stakeholders

Harvard College Israel Trek:
Program Operations & Stewardship

Provide professional leadership and operational support for Harvard Hillel’s flagship peer‑led…