The Elie Wiesel Foundation is pleased to work with DRG to conduct this search.

BACKGROUND

The Organization

The Elie Wiesel Foundation carries forward the legacy of Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and one of the most respected moral voices of the 20th century. The Foundation also honors the legacy of Marion Wiesel, Elie’s wife, who was the strategic force behind Elie’s public work, ensuring that his message reached the world. The Foundation aspires to not simply preserve the legacy but to activate it—through bold, values-driven programming and leadership.

At its core, the Foundation honors the various dimensions that defined Elie Wiesel’s work. Other planks will follow, but the aspects of his work addressed by current programming include:

• As a human rights advocate, he championed the oppressed and demanded accountability from the powerful.
• As a Zionist, he affirmed the right of the Jewish people to self-determination in their ancestral homeland.
• As a teacher, he guided generations with wisdom, humility, and moral courage.

The Foundation seeks to carry these and other core dimensions of Elie Wiesel’s life into meaningful contemporary relevance. It aims to be a trusted voice in ethical discourse, a strategic partner in humanitarian efforts, and a catalyst for leadership development in areas aligned with its mission. To realize this vision, the Foundation requires bold, pragmatic leadership—someone capable of building global partnerships, securing philanthropic support, and amplifying its impact. With Elisha Wiesel serving as Board Chair and the living steward of his parents’ legacy, the Foundation is seeking a strategic and innovative builder to serve as its next Executive Director.

The Position

A successful Executive Director of the Elie Wiesel Foundation will be a bold, visionary leader and relentless doer—someone with the entrepreneurial spirit to build upon the legacy of Elie Wiesel’s voice and teachings. This individual must be passionately committed to the Foundation’s mission and must bring that commitment to life through action. Rooted in the Foundation’s core pillars, the Executive Director will channel those values into strategic initiatives that respond to the moral crises of today.

The Executive Director must be a compelling communicator, a principled advocate, and a trusted partner to Elisha and the Board. The depth of the trust and partnership required cannot be overstated. The Executive Director and Elisha will need to work together seamlessly, continually fine-tuning an understanding of when and where Elisha’s visible involvement as his father’s only child is needed. The Executive Director will navigate a complex global landscape to make the Foundation a leading voice in the fight for human rights and against genocide, while rejecting the narrative that Zionism is antithetical to these goals. Above all, they must work tirelessly to scale the Foundation in order to drive impact worthy of the legacy of Elie Wiesel.

The Executive Director will be a builder. They will forge deep, meaningful partnerships with global institutions, universities, NGOs, and thought leaders, and identify emerging organizations and initiatives that align with the Foundation’s mission. They will seed and support new programs -- whether convenings, leadership development, public education -- and bring a catalytic energy to the Foundation’s role in the world. With sharp instincts, they will craft a strategic roadmap for growth, harness the Foundation’s extraordinary name recognition, and raise the resources necessary to achieve its goals.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Strategic Vision

In partnership with Elisha Wiesel, the Executive Director will serve as the primary driver of the Foundation’s strategic direction, shaping a vision that builds boldly on Elie Wiesel’s work while responding to the urgent moral challenges of our time. They will define priorities, align initiatives with the Foundation’s mission, and ensure a coherent, impactful path forward. With clarity and ambition, the Executive Director will guide the Foundation into its next chapter as a global force for conscience, purposeful action, and justice.

Programmatic Innovation

The Executive Director will lead the creation and evolution of programs that activate the Foundation’s values in tangible ways. This includes developing original initiatives, seeding and supporting aligned organizations, and identifying strategic partnerships that multiply the Foundation’s impact. They will be responsible for identifying strategic opportunities, developing collaborative initiatives, and building a robust ecosystem around the Foundation’s mission and programs. The Executive Director must be entrepreneurial and discerning—able to spot opportunity, nurture innovation, and bring ideas to scale.

Thought Leadership and Public Voice

The Foundation will carry forward Elie Wiesel’s moral voice by serving as a powerful and principled presence in public discourse. The Executive Director will work closely with Elisha Wiesel as a thought partner and to generate opportunities alongside Elisha to represent the Foundation’s work inspired by his parents’ values and vision. Whether addressing genocide, defending the integrity of Zionism, or confronting today’s ethical dilemmas, the Foundation will communicate with conviction, clarity and one voice.

Resource Development

The Executive Director will be the Foundation’s lead fundraiser, responsible for growing the financial resources that make its work possible. They will develop and execute a comprehensive development strategy that engages major donors, foundations, and institutional partners. By articulating a clear and compelling case for support, the Executive Director will build long-term relationships and ensure the Foundation has the capital to pursue its bold ambitions.

Organizational Leadership and Board Partnership

The Executive Director will oversee the Foundation’s day-to-day operations with integrity, excellence, and care. They will lead and develop a high-performing nimble team, manage resources effectively, and create a strong organizational culture aligned with the Foundation’s values. In close partnership with Elisha Wiesel and the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide leadership that is collaborative, strategic, innovative, and decisive.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal Executive Director is a collaborative leader with the courage and conviction to advance bold ideas and the humility to know when to lead from the front and when to elevate others. They are a proven organizational builder with a track record of turning vision into reality through thoughtful planning, strong partnerships, and decisive execution. A compelling communicator, the Executive Director will bring clarity, moral purpose, and inspiration to every aspect of the Foundation’s work. They will demonstrate deep respect for the legacy they are entrusted to carry forward—and the insight, steadiness, and courage required to help shape what comes next.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The starting salary for this position is $350,000.

Generous benefits package included.

Work Environment

The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS

If you are interested in this position, please click here. All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application.

We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply even if you do not meet all of the qualifications outlined above. If you are selected to move forward for an initial screening call, you will be hearing from us soon.