Assistant Director at San Francisco Hillel

The Assistant Director at San Francisco Hillel is responsible for leading the Student Life Team, creating and executing engagement strategies that connect students with Jewish community activities across multiple campuses. This role includes oversight of programming, mentoring student leaders, managing the program budget, and fostering relationships with community and university partners to build a supportive environment for Jewish students.

Candidates for the Assistant Director position at San Francisco Hillel should have a minimum of four years' experience in Jewish, experiential, or higher education and a bachelor's degree. Essential skills include strong leadership abilities, project management, mentorship, and a commitment to creating inclusive Jewish spaces.

San Francisco Hillel fosters Jewish identity and community building through a diverse range of programming, mentorship opportunities, and leadership development initiatives. The Assistant Director plays a pivotal role in planning engaging activities, facilitating discussions, and creating opportunities for students to explore their Jewish identity while connecting with their peers.

As an Assistant Director at San Francisco Hillel, professional development is prioritized through mentorship, collaborative projects, and hands-on leadership opportunities. The role includes supervision and coaching of the Student Life Team, encouraging growth in both personal and professional capacities. Network-building with community partners also enhances development prospects.

San Francisco Hillel promotes a welcoming, collaborative workplace culture that emphasizes inclusivity and innovation. As the Assistant Director, you'll work in a dynamic environment where staff are encouraged to share ideas and collaborate closely with students and the broader community, ensuring everyone's voice is heard.

Building relationships with student leaders involves open communication, active listening, and showing genuine interest in their projects and personal growth. Engage regularly through meetings and informal settings, ask for their insights, and provide support tailored to their needs and aspirations.

Share specific examples of programs you’ve managed, focusing on outcomes and the impact on the community. Discuss your process for planning, executing, and evaluating programs to ensure they meet students’ needs, including any adjustments made based on feedback or engagement data.

I would utilize data-driven insights to understand student interests and leverage social media and direct communications to promote events. Collaborating with student leaders to co-create programming that resonates with their peers can also boost participation and enthusiasm.

Provide a concrete example, focusing on a communication breakdown or conflict resolution. Highlight your problem-solving approach, your willingness to listen to diverse perspectives, and how you worked collaboratively to find a solution that benefited the team.

I believe in creating programming that reflects the diversity of the student body. This involves consulting with various community members, offering a range of perspectives in planning sessions, and ensuring activities are accessible and relevant to students from all backgrounds.

Mentorship is central to my leadership approach. I prioritize supporting team members' personal and professional growth through regular feedback and guidance, establishing an environment where they feel empowered to take initiative and develop their leadership skills.

I actively seek out conferences, workshops, and webinars in Jewish education and community engagement and subscribe to relevant publications. Networking with professionals in the field provides invaluable insights into current trends and best practices that can be applied at San Francisco Hillel.

San Francisco's rich cultural landscape allows us to connect Jewish programming with local arts, music, and culinary experiences. By collaborating with local organizations and leveraging the city's diverse offerings, we can create unique events that draw in students and enhance their engagement with Jewish culture.

I would implement both qualitative and quantitative measures to assess program success, including student feedback surveys, attendance numbers, and engagement metrics. Gathering data before and after events allows us to make informed adjustments and improvements for future initiatives.

I view feedback as a valuable opportunity for growth and improvement. Approaching criticism with an open mindset, I would seek to understand the concerns raised, engage in constructive dialogue, and implement changes as needed to enhance the student experience.