Job Description

Director of Student Engagement and Programming

Hillel at the University of Alabama

Role Overview

Make your mark on Jewish student life by joining 'Bama Hillel as the Director of Student Engagement and Programming. You will drive Hillel forward by thinking big, empowering students, and creating a warm and inclusive environment for Jewish life on campus. As you lead people and programs, you’ll help every student on campus connect to Jewish life, learning and Israel. You will join a small and mighty team of staff and student interns with a focus on engaging Jewish students. In this position, you’ll spend your days being genuinely excited and enthusiastic about creating an inviting place that inspires students to explore, experience, and create vibrant Jewish lives.

The right person for this job isn't afraid to strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone. You're someone who loves to chat about your favorite music, book, or show, and you are always down to dive into what happen in the big game over the weekend. You're creative and love to brainstorm and are ready to help take students ideas and turn them into reality. You know how to stay on top of competing tasks and how to prioritize your time. Most of all, you're ready to dive into that 'Bama culture and learn what it means to Roll Tide. 

Hiring for a start of Fall 2025.

What You’ll Do

• Mentor student leaders in their Jewish growth through one-on-one meetings and group trainings, in order to cultivate a caring and actively inclusive Jewish community
• Implement a strategic program planning model for engagement
• Work cooperatively/collaboratively with segments of the student leadership (such as Arts, Greek life, social justice) to build positive on-going relationships with students
• Lead marketing, social media, and content for website; maintain participant tracking database
• Direct the student leadership, programming, and engagement budgets

On a day to day basis you will

• Cultivate relationships with Jewish students
• Help craft and implement the annual cycle of Jewish holiday and Shabbat programming with the student intern team. This includes weekly challah bakes with interns and assisting with home cooked meals for the holidays.
• Oversee, advise, and partner with student leaders and other student volunteers to design and implement programming of interest to support wellness, campus life, social impact, social connectivity, Jewish learning, and more.
• Facilitate learning cohorts with provided materials and has experience with programming through a Jewish lens.

*Please note: Due to the nature of Jewish student life, during the semesters this position will require several nights/weekends, including for Shabbat and holidays.

Who You Are

• An engager who loves to work a crowded room, seeking new people to connect with
• Someone who is eager to have students chat in their office on a regular basis
• Someone who knows how to balance work and play in the same space
• Someone who can navigate many different tasks and model for students how to manage their time 

What You’ve Accomplished

• 1-3 years professional experience in Jewish, experiential or higher education.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree is a plus.
• Proven success:
  • Building pluralistic Jewish communities and creating a welcoming, vibrant, and deeply enriching Jewish environment
  • Inspiring, mentoring and motivating college age students through traditional, but also experiential education
• Managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining quality across all area

What You’ll Bring to the Job

• A passion for working with emerging adults and investing in their growth as Jewish leaders.
• A hands-on attitude and willingness to execute programming at all levels.
• A commitment to pluralism and understanding of Jewish identity so you may act as a role model and mentor for emerging Jewish adults.
• Ownership of your unique knowledge, knowledge of Judaism, experiences and ability to inspire others to be on their own Jewish journey.
• Comfort working independently and collaboratively.
• Strong written and verbal skills, effective at communicating with a variety of stakeholders including students, parents, alumnae/i, and university partners.
• Working knowledge of database management, general office suite products, and social media platforms.

What You’ll Receive

• Competitive salary in the nonprofit marketplace. The salary range for this role is $48,000 - $58,000
• A benefits package, including health insurance reimbursement and retirement matching opportunities.
• A flexible work schedule with generous vacation and sick leave
• Great professional development, mentoring, and skill building opportunities

About Tuscaloosa and Bama Hillel

Tuscaloosa lies about an hour southwest of Birmingham, situated along the banks of the Black Warrior River in west-central Alabama. It’s within a few hours’ drive of Gulf Coast beaches and the major cities of Nashville, New Orleans, Memphis and Atlanta, making it a great base for growing better acquainted with the South’s finest offerings. Historic downtown Tuscaloosa is home to some of Alabama's best restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues. From intimate specialty coffee shops to big shows at the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, downtown has something for everyone. The Riverwalk is a local favorite for a morning jog on the path, or unwinding under the shade of the trees as you watch the Black Warrior River roll by. The area also has several restaurants, shops and parks lining the path.

Bama Hillel is where Southern charm meets Jewish tradition on one of the most spirited campuses in the country! Our standalone building is a hub of daily activity, nestled just steps away from legendary sports facilities. With the full support of our university administration and community, we create a welcoming and dynamic space for students to explore Judaism, build connections, and create lasting memories during their college years. 

Our schedule often revolves around Alabama football (Roll Tide!), Greek life activities, and sunny-day distractions on Lake Tuscaloosa. Our student leaders and intern team are deeply engaged, passionate, and ready to help make your ideas a reality. At Bama Hillel, we believe in infusing Jewish values into everything we do, from meaningful discussions to fun-filled events. If you are looking to combine your love for community-building with the excitement of campus life, Bama Hillel is the place for you!

University of Alabama 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.

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