Office Manager at the Cohen Hillel: The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

As the Office Manager at the Cohen Hillel, your primary responsibilities will include managing day-to-day operations, overseeing facility maintenance, coordinating programming schedules, and handling financial record-keeping. You'll also provide administrative support to the Executive Director and manage a team of interns, ensuring a welcoming environment for all visitors.

To be successful as the Office Manager at the Cohen Hillel, candidates should have a B.A. from an accredited institution or equivalent experience. Additionally, 2-3 years of administrative or office experience is preferred, along with strong organizational and communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Experience with college students is highly beneficial for the Office Manager role at the Cohen Hillel. Familiarity with Jewish traditions and donor database management software like Little Green Light is also preferred, although a willingness to learn is essential.

The Office Manager position at the Cohen Hillel offers a competitive salary ranging from $45,000 to $50,000, along with a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and generous vacation and parental leave times.

As the Office Manager at the Cohen Hillel, you will have access to great professional development opportunities, including mentoring and skill-building initiatives. This role not only allows you to grow within the organization but also prepares you for future leadership positions.

As an Office Manager, it's crucial to prioritize tasks by assessing their urgency and importance, utilizing tools such as task lists or project management software. Effective communication with team members is also key to ensure everyone is aligned and aware of priorities.

When discussing bookkeeping experience, highlight any specific finance management roles you've held. Share your familiarity with managing accounts payable and receivable, tracking budgets, and using software tools for record keeping—such as Excel or donor management software.

Managing a busy office requires strong organizational skills and clear communication. I prioritize tasks, delegate when possible, and maintain an organized workspace. Additionally, I always keep an open line of communication with my team to ensure everyone's workload is manageable.

To provide excellent customer service, I focus on being friendly, approachable, and efficient. Listening to visitor needs, responding promptly to inquiries, and following up as necessary ensures that everyone feels valued and heard.

When discussing your experience managing interns or volunteers, emphasize your leadership style and approach to mentoring. Describe how you provide guidance, training, and feedback while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Handling difficult visitors requires patience and empathy. I would listen to their concerns, remain calm, and try to resolve the issue amicably while ensuring they understand I’m there to help. If necessary, I would involve other staff members to assist in the resolution.

As the Office Manager, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Docs is essential. Additionally, any experience with donor database management tools, such as Little Green Light, shows your ability to adapt to software that manages crucial organization data.

Express your passion for community engagement and how the mission of the Cohen Hillel resonates with you. Highlight any personal connections to Jewish traditions or campus life that inspire you to contribute to enhancing Jewish life at the University of Illinois.

For this question, share a specific example where you successfully managed multiple projects. Discuss how you organized tasks, delegated responsibilities, and utilized tools to keep track of progress while ensuring deadlines were met.

I believe that excellent organizational skills combined with strong interpersonal abilities are the most crucial traits for an Office Manager. These skills allow one to manage operations effectively while fostering positive relationships within the team and community.