Jack G. Buncher Director of Jewish Student Life at Carnegie Mellon University

Hillel Jewish University Center of Pittsburgh

Role Overview

Make your mark on Jewish student life by joining Hillel Jewish University Center of Pittsburgh (Hillel JUC) as the Jack G. Buncher Director of Jewish Student Life at Carnegie Mellon University. You’ll power Hillel by supporting efforts to connect people, vital funds and resources to our mission.

The Jack G. Buncher Director of Jewish Student Life (DJSL) at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)’s role is to inspire every Jewish student to develop an enduring understanding that Judaism is relevant and transformative, alive with innovative opportunity, and compels action, leading to a meaningful and connected Jewish life. The DJSL at CMU needs to bring contagious energy, dynamism, and creativity to their work with students. The DJSL at CMU will work closely with the Assistant Director on developing and implementing the vision for programming and engagement.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Planning, facilitating, and evaluating a variety of Jewish life opportunities and initiatives
• Supporting student-initiated programs and serving as a Jewish resource to students and groups on campus
• Advising CMU Hillel’s student groups - guiding them in their programming and leadership development, developing ongoing mentoring relationships with them, attending many student-initiated programs (including some evenings, weekends, and Jewish holidays), assisting with student group fund allocations and reimbursements
• Supporting and implementing the annual cycle of programs (Shabbat, holidays, etc) and special events as needed throughout the year, oftentimes collaboratively with other staff and student leaders. Special events might include student-led conferences, large-scale Shabbat experiences, and other programs as applicable
• Providing leadership in marketing, public relations and promotional activities as appropriate, including oversight of the website and other social media
• Assisting with CMU related grant reports
• In conjunction with the Assistant Director, sharing Hillel JUC’s vision of Jewish life with all stakeholders, including students, staff, faculty, Board of Directors, alumni, parents, and Hillel's Schusterman International Center
• Partnering with staff and students to support pluralistic, inclusive and innovative Jewish programming on campus

What You'll Do

• Build authentic relationships with Jewish undergraduate students at Carnegie Mellon University by meeting them where they live, work, and/or study, utilizing creative methods to reach and interest them
• Work closely with the Assistant Director to develop and execute general strategy for programming and engagement
• Identify student influencers and help weave communities of meaning
• Identify uninvolved/under-involved student populations and develop strategies for contacting and engaging them
• Nurture and support existing student communities and umbrella groups
• Provide Jewish students of diverse backgrounds and identities with a sense of belonging to the larger Jewish community on campus
• Create opportunities for gathering and meeting that are accessible for every Jewish student to gather and forge new relationships
• Collaborate with Assistant Director to design and implement leadership development programs for students
• Ensure a pluralistic and welcoming atmosphere for all
• Engage in meaningful one-on-one and group conversations about Jewish life and living
• Help others along a path of Jewish discovery

What You’ve Accomplished

• 1 - 3 of years of professional work experience (experience as a volunteer or professional in a Jewish organization is a plus)
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Proven success as a relationship builder
• Supervisory experience preferred

What You’ll Bring to the Job

• Thoughtfulness and intentionality
• Great attention to detail and strong project management skills
• Highly self-motivated and driven to achieve goals
• Ability to assess student needs quickly and move to meet those needs
• Enthusiasm for student engagement work and an appreciation for the importance of every Jewish student we reach
• Passion for Jewish life and positive authentic relationship with Israel
• Curiosity about what compels students to engage with their Jewishness
• An educator in formal and informal settings, who weaves Jewish content and opportunities for meaning in all of your interactions
• Clear communication and interest in entering feedback loops with your supervisor, supervisees, and students
• A team player who can both coach others and receive coaching with a growth mindset

What You’ll Receive

• Competitive salary in the nonprofit marketplace. The salary range for this role is $50,000 - $55,000
• 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.
• Great professional development, mentoring, and skill building opportunities
• Paid coffee dates with students
• Plenty of Hillel and university schwag

About Hillel JUC

The Hillel JUC serves an estimated 2,200 undergraduate students, graduate students and young adults.  Our 12,500 sq. foot building located at the meeting point between Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh is a hub for Jewish activities seven days a week.  Our goal is to engage every Jewish student on campus through a wide range of meaningful Jewish experiences and communities. Hillel JUC enriches the lives of Jewish students so that 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. The Hillel JUC provides all staff with an exciting and meaningful working environment and more importantly an amazing group of student leaders who guide our programming and are committed to building communities of purpose on the campuses we serve.

Chartered in 1900, Carnegie Mellon University is consistently listed at the top of the many rankings of US public colleges and universities. Google, Apple, Disney Entertainment and Microsoft all maintain recruitment and research offices on CMU’s campus while Broadway and Hollywood are filled with alums from CMU’s nationally recognized Musical Theater department. As a small to midsize university it is internationally recognized for its competencies in areas ranging from Computer Science to Theater Arts. CMU is well known for its exceptional blend of rigorous academics and campus of diversity. With a freshman class where over 71% of the students were in the top 10% of their graduating class, the students are used to being intellectually challenged on a wide array of topics.

Hillel JUC 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.