Director of Leadership & Israel Engagement IACT

University of Michigan Hillel

Role Overview

The University of Michigan Hillel is seeking a dynamic and passionate Director of Leadership & Israel Engagement IACT to be at the forefront of inspiring students to engage in Jewish life on campus and foster a strong connection to Israel. This is a fast-paced, multifaceted role where you'll mentor future Jewish leaders, design impactful programs, and lead immersive Israel experiences.

Strengthening ties with Israel is a core value of Michigan Hillel. We're looking for a Jewish educator and leader with a passion for Zionist education and Israel engagement to drive our efforts in this area. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the leadership team of a Hillel at the forefront of innovation and to make a significant impact on thousands of students' Jewish journeys each year, playing a crucial role in building the next generation of engaged Jewish leaders and strengthening their lifelong connection to Israel.

What You’ll Do

• Israel Experiences: Envision and implement strategies to significantly increase student participation in Michigan Hillel's Israel travel programs - Taglit-Birthright Israel (growing from 80 to 100+ participants), Onward Israel (60 participants), Wolverine Impact Israel Trip (40 participants), Campus Leaders Trip (20 participants), and launch a new alumni trip.
• Student Engagement: Build deep, personal relationships with Jewish undergraduates, serving as a frontline connector to Jewish life on campus.
• Program Development: Design engaging pre- and post-Israel trip experiences that deepen students' Jewish identities and their connection to Israel and strengthen Jewish relationships on campus. Ensure 100% post-trip engagement for returning students to campus.
• Leadership Development: Advise the student leadership board and student groups to create meaningful Jewish programming. Identify and nurture potential student leaders. Implement and facilitate leadership development programming and skill-building opportunities for current and future student leaders.
• Community Building: Staff major Hillel events (Shabbat dinners, brunches, etc.), create opportunities for peer to peer relationship building and Jewish experiences on campus outside of the Hillel facility, particularly in Greek life.
• Supervision & Collaboration: Reporting to the CEO and serving on the Hillel senior leadership team, the Director of Leadership & Israel Engagement IACT will supervise the Jewish Agency Israel Fellow in their work supporting Israel related student groups and on campus Israel programming, and direct the student life team in Israel-related campus programming and trip recruitment. 
• Israel Education: Serve as Michigan Hillel's trusted resource for Israel education
• Empowerment & Support: Provide crucial support and guidance to students who experience antisemitism, collaborating with the Chief of Staff to cultivate resilience, improve reporting and foster a connection to a supportive community.
• IACT Cohort: Participate as part of Hillel International’s IACT national cohort.

What You’ll Bring to the Job

• MA in a relevant field (for example Jewish Education, Organizational Leadership, Rabbinic Ordination)
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience supervising teams.
• A passion for working with students and fostering their Jewish growth.
• Strong knowledge of and enthusiasm for Israel.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Proven ability to organize and execute programs and projects.
• Experience in leadership development and mentoring.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to an inclusive Jewish community and a passion for Jewish growth.
• Strategic thinking and creative problem-solving abilities.

What You’ll Receive

• Salary range of $80,000-$90,000, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan, generous paid time off, and parental leave.
• Significant opportunities for professional development, coaching, and Jewish learning.
• Mentorship and support from colleagues across the Hillel movement.
• Domestic and international travel opportunities, particularly to Israel.

About University of Michigan Hillel

The University of Michigan Hillel was the fourth Hillel Foundation in North America, established

in 1926. Michigan Hillel’s history matches the remarkable changes in University life and the

times of the nation during its nearly. From its earliest days, Hillel played a significant role in campus life, serving not only the religious needs of the campus Jewish community but also providing a center for social, political, and artistic expression. In 1937, The Hillel Players produced the first play of an undergraduate named Arthur Miller. In the 1980s, led by Michael Brooks, Hillel began to play a major role in the intellectual and cultural life of the university. Today, U-M Hillel is a leader in the Hillel movement, supporting the social, emotional, and spiritual lives of nearly 6,500 Jewish students at Michigan. For more information about the University of Michigan Hillel, go to https://michiganhillel.org/.

University of Michigan Hillel is affiliated with Hillel International. Hillel International enriches the lives of Jewish students so they may enrich the Jewish people and the world, and envisions a world where every student is inspired to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning and Israel.

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.