Assistant Director

University of Kansas Hillel

Role Overview

Make your mark on Jewish student life by joining KU Hillel as our next Assistant Director. This senior staff member is a passionate Jewish leader who prioritizes creating student-led, innovative, and meaningful programs, experiences, and communities on campus. You will inspire students and staff to dream big, while you empower them as they find ways to make those dreams a reality. You will have the opportunity to put your stamp on all aspects of our student-facing operations. KU Hillel strives to foster a community where students explore and own their Jewish journeys.

The University of Kansas is an exciting melting pot of undying school pride— be that through sports like KU Jayhawk Basketball (which for some is like a second religion!), love for our beautiful campus up on the hill, or deep connection to the micro-communities they see as family. KU Hillel staff meet students where they are, building Jewish community all across campus life. We seek a proven professional who leads with passion, empathy, and curiosity and who approaches the world with nuance, humor, and always puts people first.

What You’ll Do

• Strategy & Leadership
• In partnership with the ED, develop and drive a strategy for expanded student engagement based in Human Centered Design Thinking.
• Develop and implement a broad spectrum approach to student leadership, creating multiple entry points for student journeys.
• Be the leading voice for building authentic relationships with students and fostering a welcoming, pluralistic environment that celebrates the Jewish students who call KU home. 
• Communication & Education
• Champion Jewish education through efforts such as cohort facilitation, personal exploration, and other student-driven experiences. 
• Oversee and implement a communications & social media plan to creatively reach students in as many ways as possible. 
• Manage all information flow within the organization, including marketing, social media, programming, and the calendar. 
• Supervision & Management
• Supervise and coach the engagement team, identifying their unique skills, passions, and backgrounds as you inspire them to leverage those interests into new opportunities.
• Be a thought partner to the ED on all matters. Push back, push forward, and challenge the status quo, all with the aim to reach short-term goals and fulfill the long-term vision of the organization. 
• Operations & Administration
• Oversee the program budget, distribute funds, account for costs, and pursue grant opportunities. 
• Help maintain financial accountability by helping with daily operations and monthly financials. 
• Experience with creating systems and efficiencies.

Who You Are

• You’re A Relationship-Builder: You thrive on meeting new people, understanding their interests, and forging meaningful connections.
• You’re A Collaborative Team Player: You enjoy working collaboratively with a team to solve problems and explore new initiatives.
• You’re A Mentor & Role Model: You coach young talent with empathy and aren’t afraid to provide action-oriented feedback. 
• You’re an Educator & Facilitator: You thrive in creating spaces for students to converse, share ideas, and explore and develop their own ideas on relevant issues.
• You’re A Creative and Bold Thinker: You reimagine the ordinary, think big, and embrace a risk-taking, entrepreneurial spirit.
• You’re An Organized Self-Starter: You’re a thorough, detail-oriented professional who can knock out a to-do list and take time to dream about new opportunities.

What You'll Bring to the Job

• Bachelor's degree required. Master’s degree or relevant certificates preferred. 
• 3-5 years of experience in leadership development, relationship-based engagement, or Jewish educational programming, or adjacent fields. Transferable skills make a difference!
• Experience supervising professional staff/teams and/or facilitating leadership development for young adults.
• Accomplished organizational skills related to strategic planning, program oversight, and time management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to effectively communicate with a variety of stakeholders.
• A serious work ethic, sense of humor, and willingness to take risks and learn from unexpected situations.
• A commitment to pluralism, a comfort with your own Jewish identity, and a deep understanding of Jewish life and how that affects current and future generations of university students.
• The ability to work hours needed to complete job requirements, including some evenings (on a weekly basis), weekends, and holidays.
• This is primarily an in-person role in Lawrence, KS; there are limited opportunities to work from home during the academic year. More flexibility during school breaks and summer. Staff frequently choose to live in nearby Kansas City.
• A passion for asking great questions and listening deeply to answers.
• A willingness to work nights and occasional weekends as needed, and a willingness to take time off to relax and recharge.
• Creative problem-solving and excitement to learn new solutions, systems, and ways of thinking.
• Familiarity with Google Suite, Canva, and social media marketing platforms is a plus.

What You’ll Receive

• Competitive salary in the nonprofit marketplace. The salary range for this role is $65,000-$75,000, commensurate with experience.
• Monthly travel & cell phone stipend.
• A comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan, Life, AD&D, and Long Term Disability (LTD) insurances, Flexible Spending accounts, generous vacation/sick time, and parental leave.
• High-level professional development to help develop core skills and gain expertise from changemakers, engagers, and Jewish life experts.
• Mentoring and career coaching to help you during and after your position
• A network of terrific colleagues from across the Hillel movement. 
• Travel opportunities, both domestically and internationally, multiple times per year.

About KU & Lawrence, Kansas City, and Our Community

The University of Kansas (KU) is centered in Lawrence, Kansas. Today, Lawrence remains a crossroads of culture, celebrating the artists and innovators that populate its history and create an unmistakable identity. So, too is the spirit of the Jayhawks that powers KU. KU is the state’s flagship institution, home to innovative research and the constant pursuit of knowledge.  

KU Hillel proudly serves more than 1,000 Jewish students and boasts a dedicated professional team, including an Executive Director, Assistant Director, Director of Jewish Student Engagement, Springboard Innovation Fellow, Israeli Emissary (shalicha, part-time), and on-site Licensed Master Social Worker/Therapist (part-time) in partnership with Jewish Family Services of Kansas City.

**Interested candidates willing to relocate to Kansas are encouraged to use Jewish Federation’s See KC program as a resource to learn more about living in Kansas City and our incredible Jewish community. Kansas City boasts a thriving Jewish community of more than 20,000, including an incredible group of young professionals living in and around the KC Metro Area.**

KU 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.