Director of Programming and Engagement

Hillel at Ithaca College

Role Overview

Make your mark on Jewish student life by joining Hillel at Ithaca College as the first Director of Programming and Engagement. You’ll power our Hillel by supporting efforts to connect people, inspire others, and add to our mission.

The goal for the Director of Programming and Engagement role is to inspire every Jewish student to develop a lifelong understanding that Judaism is relevant and transformative, alive with opportunity, and compels action, leading to a meaningful and connected Jewish life. You will need to bring contagious warmth, dynamism, open-mindedness, and creativity to your work with students. As the Director of Programming and Engagement on a small team, you will need to think big while also managing all the small tasks that go into creating vibrant Jewish life on campus. You will work closely with the Executive Director on developing and implementing the vision for programming and engagement.

What You’ll Do

• Build authentic relationships with Jewish undergraduate students at Ithaca College by utilizing creative methods to reach and interest them, taking to heart an “All Kinds of Jewish” approach in your connections
• Work closely with the Executive Director to develop and execute strategy for Ithaca College Hillel’s programming and engagement
• Partner with staff and students to plan, implement, and evaluate pluralistic, inclusive and innovative Jewish programming on campus, which includes the annual cycle of programs and special events as needed throughout the year (includes some evenings, weekends, Shabbats, and Jewish Holidays)
• Supervise Ithaca College Hillel’s Springboard staff in execution of Ithaca College Hillel’s programming and engagement strategy
• Mentor student leaders in their Jewish growth through individual meetings and group activities to cultivate a Jewish community that is caring, diverse, welcoming, and actively inclusive
• Support student-initiated programs and serve as a Jewish resource to students on campus
• Provide leadership in marketing, public relations and promotional activities as appropriate, including oversight of the website and other social media, with responsibilities designated to Springboard Fellow(s) as appropriate
• Provide Jewish students of diverse backgrounds and identities with a sense of belonging to the larger Jewish community on campus
• Engage in meaningful one-on-one and group conversations about Jewish life and living

What You’ve Accomplished

• A bachelor’s degree (Degree and/or certificate in Jewish education, Jewish studies, or nonprofit management is a plus)
• At least three years of professional work experience (previous experience with Hillel or organizations focused on Jewish youth and young adult engagement is highly preferred)
• Proven success as a relationship builder
• Experience or affinity working with and motivating Jewish students
• Supervisory experience preferred

What You’ll Bring to the Job

• Thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, and a team-oriented approach
• Ability to assess student needs quickly and move to meet those needs
• A passion for student engagement work and an appreciation for the importance of every Jewish student we reach
• Highly self-motivated to achieve goals with an ability to prioritize and balance multiple projects simultaneously and independently, and comfort asking questions
• An educator in formal and/or informal settings, who weaves Jewish content and opportunities for meaning in interactions with an interest in learning more
• Clear communication and interest in entering feedback loops with your supervisor, supervisee(s), and students
• Proven success in community building and outreach, and previous experience in program visioning and implementation.
• Experience in leading complex conversations about Judaism and Israel in a way that is approachable and meets students at various points in their personal Jewish journeys
• Strong written and verbal skills, effective at communicating with a variety of stakeholders
• A willingness to work atypical hours (evenings and some weekends) and travel.

What You’ll Receive

• Competitive salary in the nonprofit marketplace. The salary range for this role is $60,000- $62,500
• A comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan, Life, AD&D and Long Term Disability (LTD) insurances, ample vacation/sick time, and parental leave
• Great professional development, mentoring, and skill building opportunities
• Travel regionally and abroad, particularly to Israel
• Plenty of Hillel swag

About Hillel at Ithaca College

Hillel at Ithaca College is the center of Jewish life on campus.  At Ithaca College, about 24% of the students are Jewish – approximately 1,050 people. As a pluralistic organization, Hillel provides a variety of cultural, educational, and social programs every semester, serving more than 85% of IC’s Jewish students annually. Hillel is an affiliate of the welcoming community housed in Muller Chapel: the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, which hosts the Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, Protestant and Buddhist communities. Hillel is deeply woven into the fabric of student life on campus.

Ithaca College is a "Gorges" and global destination. Founded in 1892 by a violinist with a big vision, IC is a learning environment all about transformation — the moments when you find meaning, purpose, and people. Picture yourself expanding your boundaries and collaborating with new friends near 150 majestic waterfalls in the Finger Lakes region of New York State — surrounded by a student-fueled college town.

Ithaca College sits on South Hill overlooking the heart of Ithaca, New York, a thriving city full of art, culture, and festivals. Ranked as a top college town in the United States, Ithaca hosts a “killer music scene,” Broadway-caliber theatre, and world-class restaurants along with alumni-owned ice cream shops.  The College hosts approximately 5,400 undergraduate and 450 graduate students, who come to Ithaca from nearly every state and close to 80 countries.

Ithaca has also been ranked one of the best green cities and one of the most secure places to live. The beauty of the Finger Lakes and the breadth of cultural offerings draw many people to this progressive community. There are two synagogues in town, kosher dining on campus, and a tight knit, warm Jewish community which includes resources and colleagues locally and regionally.