Managing Director, Jewish Language Project
POSITION SUMMARY
The Managing Director is responsible for managing projects, supervising contractors, and developing and executing the Jewish Language Project’s communications strategy, with a strong focus on online engagement. Projects to be managed involve events, curriculum development, cohort-based programs, language documentation, and technological development. This role manages the organization’s website and social media presence and ensures that messaging aligns with brand identity, mission, and strategic goals. This role may also be involved in fundraising, including through grant writing.
This role requires an enthusiastic, efficient, and independent professional who excels at written and oral communication, managing projects, and fostering collaboration across teams and with outside partner organizations. The ideal candidate will be deeply familiar with the American Jewish community and bring creativity, structure, and strategic vision to a growing educational initiative.
About the Initiative
The Jewish Language Project, an initiative of Hebrew Union College, promotes research and education on Jewish ancestral diversity through the lens of language. Our mission is to strengthen intergenerational and intercommunal Jewish connections by engaging with the many languages spoken and written by Jews throughout history and around the world. We accomplish this by creating and promoting educational resources in the Jewish community, including through events, social media engagement, exhibits, and curriculum. We work with native speakers, linguists, and artists to create dictionaries, interview videos, and artistic works that document endangered Jewish languages.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The essential functions include but are not limited to the following:
- Project Management: Coordinate timelines and resources to ensure efficient and effective execution of initiatives.
- Supervision: Hire and manage contractors and volunteers for initiatives.
- Communications: Develop and execute communication strategies to amplify the organization’s mission and programs.
- Content Creation: Craft compelling written and visual content.
- Digital Presence: Manage the organization’s website, social media accounts, event flyers, email blasts, and online engagement strategies.
- Metrics: Set goals for online engagement and track progress.
- Fundraising: Helping with fundraising strategy and execution, including grant writing and outreach to donors and foundations.
- Other duties as assigned.
In general, the work may be done remotely from anywhere in the world. Our staff and volunteers are spread out from Alaska to Israel to India, and Zoom meetings are generally conducted between 10am and 2pm Pacific Time but may be as early as 8am. Travel may be required up to three times a year, including to attend retreats and conferences.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will have many of these qualifications:
Experience
- Project management
- Supervision of staff
- Demonstrated success in social media engagement and online community building (TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, LinkedIn)
Knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities efficiently
- Collaboration and a team-oriented mindset
- Deep knowledge of the diverse American Jewish community and its institutions
- Exceptional written communication
- Detail-oriented editing
- An interest in Jewish languages and communities around the world
- Basic Hebrew knowledge and decoding ability
- Basic graphic design (Canva)
- Basic knowledge of Jewish history, Jewish languages, and/or endangered language documentation and reclamation
- Basic video production and editing (TikTok, YouTube) and/or podcast editing
- Designing merch on Redbubble and Zazzle shops
Technology
- Comfort with Google Docs and Microsoft Suite
- Basic web design (Wix) and user experience (UX) familiarity
- Email blast writing and design (Mailchimp)
Core Values
Employees are expected to model Hebrew Union College’s Core Values:
- Honesty and Integrity
- Kindness and Decency
- Openness and Transparency
- Responsible Empowerment
- Trust and Security
- Diversity and Inclusion
MORE INFO AND APPLY ONLINE HERE