Managing Director, University on University

University on University 

University on University is an Atlanta-based institute for Jewish and civic learning, created by and an integral part of Congregation Shearith Israel (CSI), bringing people together around ideas that matter. Through serious study and creative engagement, it builds community, deepens understanding, and broadens its impact across the Atlanta community. It brings people together around ideas, issues, and experiences through creative engagement and serious study (Talmud Torah). The institute’s vision is to build community (kehillah), deepen understanding (binah), and inspire Jewish flourishing (sagsug).

For more on Congregation Shearith Israel (CSI), visit https://www.shearithisrael.com. 

Position summary 

The Managing Director will work full time to design, launch, and lead the institute’s suite of learning and cultural programming. Responsibilities include cultivating community partnerships, developing a nimble and durable business model, and establishing the necessary infrastructure to execute robust, multi-year programming. With a focus on advancing Jewish adult learning, the Managing Director will work closely with CSI professionals and lay leadership to forge experiences that strengthen community through shared intellectual and cultural engagement. This role blends vision-setting, relationship-building, and hands-on execution. 

A central responsibility of this role will be to assess and map the existing adult-learning landscape across metropolitan Atlanta, including synagogues, universities, community institutions, and independent initiatives; poll CSI members about their needs and wants in this arena; and articulate how University on University will fulfill those needs and wants that both complements and differentiates itself within that larger ecosystem. The Managing Director will seek opportunities for strategic collaboration, coordination, and field building where appropriate, positioning UonU as a thoughtful contributor and leader in the broader adult learning community. 

Responsibilities: 

1. Develop a clear and compelling vision for multidimensional, multi-year adult learning and community engagement, and articulate the steps to implement that vision. This will entail:

• Collecting and analyzing information about prior and current educational and programming efforts at CSI, existing institutional relationships, community interests and needs. 
• Polling CSI members about their experiences with adult education at CSI, what their needs are, and what their desires are in this arena.
• Conducting a metropolitan landscape analysis of Jewish and civic adult learning opportunities to identify gaps, overlaps, partnership opportunities, and areas for differentiation. 
• Developing a strategy that clarifies UonU’s unique value proposition within CSI and within the Atlanta ecosystem 
• Coordinating or convening with peer institutions to maximize communal impact.
• Curating and executing a high-quality calendar of lecture, courses, and cultural programs. 
• Building strategic partnerships with universities, cultural institutions and organizations, and religious leaders throughout Atlanta. 
• Identifying, recruiting, and collaborating with leading scholars, educators, artists locally and beyond. 
• Leading marketing and communications efforts to attract diverse audiences. 
• Designing, implementing, and responding to constructive feedback mechanisms.
• Managing program logistics, budgets, contracts, scheduling, and coordination with CSI staff.
• Acting as an integral part of the CSI professional team, to enhance the services of the entire synagogue community. 

2. Cultivate and steward relationships with supporters and funders, ensuring alignment between programmatic vision and philanthropic priorities. This will include: 

• Working in coordination with the UonU Steering Committee to structure and refine the institute’s business model and longer-term sustainability plan.
• As needed, establish subsidiary staff positions that are sufficiently and sustainably resourced. 

Successful candidates will have: 

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated experience and comfort in working with professional and lay leaders
• Capacity to work independently and to collaborate within and beyond the Jewish community
• Sound judgment, palpable curiosity, enthusiasm
• Entrepreneurial tenacity 
• Comfort and fluency working in a pluralistic Jewish setting 

Applicants should submit the following:

• Cover letter addressed to the search committee that explains why you are interested in this role, what makes you well-suited to meet the responsibilities associated with it, and some preliminary ideas that you may want to pursue. Names and contact information for three references, including those who can speak to your capacities to lead educational programming. (Letters will be requested for candidates advancing to a second round of consideration.) 
  
  Compensation for this role is $90,000 annually, commensurate with experience. All materials (merged into a single PDF) should be sent to [email protected].
  
  The search committee will start reviewing applications on July 10, 2026.