Executive Director

The Arizona Jewish Historical Society (AZJHS) is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and creative leader to serve as the inaugural Executive Director/CEO (CEO) of the Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center (HFHEC). This new 30,000-square-foot institution will be located on the grounds of the Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center and will represent AZJHS's largest and most ambitious initiative to date. HFHEC is built on the principle that knowledge and empathy empower individuals to take a stand against hate. Its mission centers on educating students in grades 7 to 12, as well as the broader public, about the Holocaust and other genocides while emphasizing a call to action that inspires positive societal change.

The HFHEC will provide an engaging, multi-media, immersive experience that inspires visitors and motivates them to take meaningful action. HFHEC will facilitate school group tours and host various educational activities, including exhibits, lectures, and classes, thereby enriching the educational landscape surrounding these critical historical topics. In addition to in-person programming, the HFHEC will provide Holocaust-related curricula and resources for teachers, ensuring that educators have the tools they need to teach this important subject effectively.

To further enhance accessibility and engagement, the HFHEC will offer a variety of online resources, including links to other Holocaust museums, a digital library, and virtual lectures and exhibits. With an anticipated annual attendance of 50,000 students, the HFHEC aims to fill a significant gap in Phoenix, the fifth largest city in the United States, which currently lacks a dedicated Holocaust museum or education center. This initiative addresses an essential educational need and positions Phoenix as a more inclusive and informed community regarding Holocaust history and its lessons.

In alignment with a law enacted in Arizona in 2021 and amended in 2024 requiring students to learn about the Holocaust and other genocides for at least three school periods or the equivalent on two separate occasions during grades 7 through 12, the HFHEC is anticipated to open in April 2027 and will provide critical educational programming mandated by the state. By doing so, the HFHEC will ensure that the Holocaust’s important lessons are taught meaningfully, fostering awareness and understanding within the community while assisting educators in fulfilling the state’s educational requirements. Additionally, the HFHEC will serve as an invaluable cultural hub for the broader Arizona community and beyond.

This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the direction of a state-of-the-art cultural and educational institution from its inception. The CEO will join the project after critical fundraising has been completed (to date, over $37M has been raised of the $45M goal), with strong community and political support already in place. The HFHEC will be located in downtown Phoenix, in the heart of the city’s vibrant arts and cultural scene. Construction is set to begin in July 2025. 

In this pivotal role, the CEO will refine the HFHEC’s strategic vision while laying the groundwork for its organizational structure. The CEO will craft a comprehensive staffing and operational plan, working closely with external consultants and a small, dedicated team. A key responsibility will be engaging with school districts and administrators to book and coordinate student visits for the 2027-2028 academic year, which in Arizona begins in July. The CEO will also play a pivotal role in shaping exhibit content and design, overseeing installations, curating the artifact collection, and developing curriculum and programming specifically designed for middle and high school students. Expanding the HFHEC’s outreach to diverse audiences will be a central focus of the role. Additionally, the CEO will collaborate with the AZJHS’s Board of Directors and donors to ensure the institution’s long-term financial health and growth.

This is a permanent, full-time position in Phoenix with a targeted salary range of $175,000–$200,000. 

Confidential inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed confidentially to the search team via the link below. Please include a CV/resume and a two- to three-page letter of interest addressing the opportunities and challenges outlined in the full description found below.

Rebecca Swartz is leading this search with Mia Carpiniello and Harley Bartles.

AZJHS does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.