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

Assistant Director and Hillel Manager

Maryville University

Role Overview

The Assistant Director for the Center for Community Engagement and Well-being is pivotal in advancing Maryville University’s commitment to promoting holistic wellness, fostering community engagement, and enhancing student success.

This leadership position blends the responsibilities of a Hillel Manager, which includes cultivating Jewish culture and community, with the broader mission of the Center for Community Engagement and Well-being. The Assistant Director is expected to take a proactive, student-centered approach to creating and managing programs that promote engagement, well-being, and inclusivity for students of all backgrounds.

In this role, the Assistant Director will provide visionary leadership for Maryville Hillel, ensuring it remains a vibrant, welcoming space for Jewish students to connect with their faith, culture, and traditions. This includes coordinating programs and initiatives that celebrate Jewish holidays, traditions, and values while also fostering interfaith dialogue and understanding within the university community.

A key responsibility of the Assistant Director is to oversee the Wellness Hub, a central space dedicated to supporting student well-being across the 8 Dimensions of Wellness. This space will provide students, staff, and faculty access to wellness resources, programming, and opportunities for holistic growth. The Assistant Director will be responsible for planning, implementing, and assessing wellness programming, such as the My Best Self Workshop Series, which addresses mental health, personal development, self-care practices, and community service initiatives like Maryville Reaches Out (MRO).

Additionally, the Assistant Director will work to integrate these initiatives with the university's overarching wellness goals, ensuring that students have access to resources that foster emotional, physical, spiritual, and academic success.

The Assistant Director will also be instrumental in organizing and facilitating interfaith events, such as interfaith Shabbat dinners, and other spiritual programming that promotes inclusivity and mutual understanding among students of various faiths and backgrounds. These programs will not only provide opportunities for Jewish students to engage with their faith but also serve as avenues for broader spiritual engagement within the campus community.

The role demands a strong understanding of the Okanagan Charter’s principles and how to integrate its framework into both wellness and community engagement initiatives. The Assistant Director will be expected to work closely with various departments across the university, including Student Health and Counseling Services, Center for Student Engagement and Belonging, Residential Life, and student organizations, to ensure that wellness initiatives are holistic, inclusive, and aligned with the university’s mission and strategic goals.

Moreover, the Assistant Director will actively engage in partnership-building efforts to create student opportunities, including collaborating with local, national, and global organizations – including the Hillel Advisory Council, Hillel International, and external community organizations such as synagogues and the Jewish Federation - that share Maryville’s commitment to wellness and community engagement. These collaborations will allow for transformative opportunities, such as cultural immersion trips, which contribute to students’ personal and professional development while enhancing their connection to local and global communities.

What You’ll Do

Routine Decision-Making:

• The Wellness Hub and Community Engagement Program Management oversee the operations and programs of the Wellness Hub, ensuring it is inclusive and an accessible space for students, staff, and faculty to engage with wellness services.

 Programming Planning and Collaboration:

• Develop, plan and implement community engagement and wellness programs, including MRO, service-learning projects and cultural immersion trips.
• Example Program: Organize My Best Self: Workshop Series, where students strengthen their personal brand, develop personal skills, and empower their communities.
• Example Program: Plan interfaith Shabbat Dinners and cultural exchange events, bringing together students of different faiths for community-building experiences.

Budget and Resource Management:

• Manage and allocate the budget for Hillel and wellness programs, ensuring financial resources are used efficiently to support student engagement and program goals.
• Oversee the allocation of funds for wellness initiatives and Hillel activities, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.

Assessment and Program Evaluation:

• Use data and feedback to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of wellness and cultural programs, ensuring they meet the needs of students and foster a sense of belonging and engagement.
• Cultural Engagement and Spiritual Programming (Hillel)
  Plan, implement and assess Jewish cultural and spiritual programs such as Sukkot Celebrations, Hanukkah Parties, and Interfaith Shabbat Dinners, ensuring they align with the broader goals of community engagement and wellness.

Staff and Volunteer Supervision:

• Supervise and mentor student workers, volunteers, and interns, ensuring they are properly trained, supported, and have clear objectives related to both wellness and cultural engagement.
  Provide leadership and guidance to staff involved in wellness programming and Hillel, ensuring that they are empowered to succeed in their roles.

 Professional Development and Training:

• Lead regular training sessions and professional development opportunities for staff, faculty, and student volunteers to improve their ability to deliver high-quality wellness and community engagement programs.

Conflict Resolution and Support:

• Address any conflict that arise among students involved in wellness or Hillel programs, ensuring a collaborative and positive work environment.
  Provide guidance and support to those managing or participating in wellness and community engagement programs, ensuring they have the resources they need.

Required Knowledge

• Understanding of the 8 Dimensions of Wellness: Knowledge of wellness principles, including emotional, physical, social, purpose, financial, academic, environmental, and belonging, and how they contribute to student success.
• Jewish Faith, Culture, and Traditions: Deep knowledge of Jewish traditions, holidays, cultural practices, and values, with the ability to incorporate these elements into campus programming in a meaningful way.
• Health and Wellness Promotion: Familiarity with the best practices and frameworks in health promotion, particularly in higher education settings, and how to foster holistic student development.
• Belonging and Spiritual Awareness: Understanding of principles related to belonging and spiritual competence, with the ability to design and implement programs that are accessible and inclusive to students of all backgrounds, including underrepresented groups.
• Program Assessment and Evaluation: Ability to assess the effectiveness of wellness and cultural programs through data collection, feedback, and outcome analysis to ensure continuous improvement and relevance to student needs

Minimum Qualifications

Required skills or abilities:

• Leadership Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage staff, volunteers, and student interns, providing direction, training, and professional development.
• Collaboration and Partnership Development: Exceptional skills in building and maintaining partnerships with faculty, staff, students, and external community organizations to create a cohesive approach to wellness and community engagement.
• Cultural Competency and Humility: Ability to design and implement inclusive programs that promote cultural/spiritual awareness, wellness, focusing on fostering an inclusive environment for Jewish students and other spiritual communities.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey ideas effectively and engage with diverse audiences. Ability to collaborate with campus stakeholders and engage with students on complex wellness and spiritual identity topics.
• Program Planning and Execution: Expertise in planning, coordinating, and executing various events and programs, with a strong attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Financial Acumen: Ability to manage budgets, allocate resources efficiently, and ensure that programs are financially sustainable while achieving their objectives.
• Conflict Resolution and Problem-Solving: Skilled in resolving conflicts and addressing concerns promptly and professionally. Ability to navigate challenging situations with sensitivity and care.

Formal Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. A degree in Jewish Studies, Higher Education Administration, Social Work, Public Health, or a related field.
• Master’s degree preferred in a related field (e.g., Public Health, Higher Education, Jewish Studies, or Social Work).
• Relevant experience: At least three years of experience in community engagement, wellness programming, or cultural/spiritual leadership in a higher education setting. Experience in leading programs that integrate wellness, and spiritual engagement is highly desirable.

Additional Applicant Information

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.