Applications submitted through the Hillel International website will NOT be considered. To apply, please submit your application through the University of Hartford website linked HERE.  

Engagement and Program Coordinator

University of Hartford Hillel

Role Overview

Make your mark on Jewish student life by joining University of Hartford Hillel as the Engagement and Program Coordinator. You will network with students to develop one-on-one relationships, run innovative initiatives, and help them explore their Judaism where they live, work, and study! We are looking for someone who will drive Hillel forward by creating a warm and inclusive environment for Jewish life to thrive so that every student can connect to Jewish life, learning, and Israel in their own unique way. Our brand-new Zachs Hillel Center, opened in Spring 2025, is centrally located on the residential side of campus and serves as a hub of student life.

You are a welcoming, inclusive, dynamic Jewish community builder who creatively engages with University of Hartford students, and inspires their participation and leadership in Jewish life. You will hit the ground running every day, finding new spaces on campus and in the greater Hartford Jewish community that provide inspiration for students' personal Jewish journeys, while setting the framework for each student to connect with Jewish life on their terms. You will be the first point of contact among Jewish students, and will strive for visibility across many facets of campus life in order to reach students where they are. You will be genuinely excited and enthusiastic to about creating an inviting place that inspires students to explore, experience, and create vibrant Jewish lives. This is so much more than your average 9-to-5.

University of Hartford Hillel is both an accredited Hillel as well as a University of Hartford office as a part of the Division of Student Success, and gives excellent exposure and professional experiences in the spaces of student affairs, higher education administration, nonprofit management, and student-facing services. As an employee of the University of Hartford, you are eligible for the many great benefits that all faculty and staff receive.

What You’ll Do

• Model and mentor student leaders and interns in developing leadership skills, such as managing conflict, adhering to deadlines, checking assumptions and clarifying expectations.
• Staff and attend events. Due to the nature of Jewish student life, during the semesters this position will require several nights/weekends, including for Shabbat and holidays.
• Develop and implement opportunities to expand Hillel’s reach and visibility on campus and the greater community through partnerships, relationship building, interfaith initiatives, sponsorships and campus-wide initiatives
• Collaborate with students and colleagues to implement a wide range of programs, including Shabbat and holiday celebrations, social opportunities, social justice projects, guest speakers, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Meet with students from different cohorts and demographics on campus to engage them, identify their interests and connect to opportunities that inspire their Jewish identity.
• Connect students with leadership roles in Hillel and throughout the greater Hartford Jewish community.
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with areas of interest across campus, including as the Hartt School, the Center for Student Engagement and Inclusion, Greek life, and others to build positive on-going relationships with students.
• Map out a plan to strategically build one on one relationships with 180 students currently not engaged in Jewish life.
• Coordinate program publicity - oversee marketing, create weekly email, manage social media accounts, assist students with on campus advertising, and manage website content.
• Serve as the key point of contact and logistics manager for all University of Hartford Hillel Birthright trips and immersive break experiences.

What You’ll Bring to the Job

• 1 - 3 years’ professional work experience.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Comfort in working in a pluralistic Jewish environment and supporting a diverse Jewish student population.
• Familiarity with Kosher dietary laws and standards, as you will support the Shabbat experience for a religiously diverse group of students.
• Strong entrepreneurial spirit. Things may not always go according to plan and you must be willing to take risks and learn your wins as well as your losses.
• Confidence initiating and running programs, and comfort asking questions.
• Energy, enthusiasm, and a self-driven motivation.
• Belief that our work isn’t done until every Jewish student is connected to Jewish life in a way that’s meaningful to them.

What You’ll Receive

• This is a 12-month, full-time, hourly non-exempt position at $23.08/hour (equivalent to $48,000 annually) and includes full University of Hartford employee benefits. While the position is designed as a 12-month role, there may be flexibility to discuss a 10-month schedule with full benefits for the right candidate.
• A comprehensive benefits package, including: health, dental, and vision insurance, 403b retirement plan with university match, Life, AD&D and Long-Term Disability insurances, flexible spending health and dependent care accounts, generous vacation/sick time, parental leave, tuition remission for employees, spouses, and dependents, free coffee at all campus locations. A list of all benefits can be found here: https://www.hartford.edu/about/offices-divisions/human-resources-development/employee-resources/benefits-policies-listing.aspx
• Great professional development, mentoring, and skill building opportunities, including those through Hillel International and the University of Hartford.
• Travel regionally and abroad, particularly to Israel

About University of Hartford

Since its founding in 1957, University of Hartford has attracted students and faculty who change the world in meaningful ways. It is a diverse institution with a global reach, as students from approximately 50 countries come to study at one of its seven distinctive schools and colleges every year. The campus offers the best of both worlds: a tree-lined campus in a state capital just two hours from both Boston and NYC.

There are an estimated 600 Jewish students out of 4,000 undergraduate students in a wide range of programs. Hillel is changing and developing new definitions of success as the University moves towards a global model of student success. Jewish life is interspersed throughout campus: the University offers an integrated kosher dining station in the main dining area, the Hillel Campus Center is located in prime space on the residential side of campus, the Judaic Studies department is hiring new faculty, and Hillel continues to be a valued partner across many diverse campus departments. Hillel runs weekly Shabbat dinners and activities, Tuesday Schmoozeday hangouts, monthly Rosh Chodesh wellness events, High Holiday services and meals on campus, interfaith social justice initiatives, and more! Student leadership consists of paid interns who receive supervision and training throughout the year, as well as work study office assistants.

About Hillel International

In 1923, Rabbi Benjamin Frankel started Hillel with humble means, a noble mission and a breathtaking vision: to convey Jewish civilization to a new generation. Today, Hillel International continues to enrich the lives of Jewish students and is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world at nearly 1,000 colleges and universities across North America and around the world. As Hillel evolves as an organization, the mission remains steadfast: to create lasting connections with every Jewish student that foster an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel and train them to become the next Jewish leaders.

Hillel is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an accepting and inclusive environment for all.