Director of Academic Programs

Mission and Philosophy

 The Shalom Hartman Institute is a leading research and educational center serving Israel and world Jewry. We work to enrich the moral and spiritual life of Israel and the Jewish people, to deepen the commitment to pluralism and to Israel’s Jewish and democratic character, and to rebuild the covenant between Israel and the Jewish world.

Through our community of outstanding scholars and educators, the Institute develops innovative responses to the challenges of our time, cultivates a new generation of leaders and change agents, and builds transformational educational projects that help inspire a better Judaism and a better Israel for the 21st century.

Position

The Shalom Hartman Institute of North America seeks a Director of Academic Programs to lead the design, implementation, and growth of its programming for academic audiences. The Director of Academic Programs will help direct Kogod Research Center programming, and will lead our North American Scholars Circle and the Hartman Scholars Network.

This position is ideal for a dynamic, collaborative, and mission-aligned scholar who can balance intellectual leadership, program design, and organizational execution.

Research fellows in the Kogod Research Center (KRC) meet weekly in several different seminars developing new frameworks, ideas and thought leadership addressing the challenges facing the Jewish people.

The Director will manage several academic convenings, conferences, and colloquia over the course of the year for these fellows, as well as other scholars; serve as a bridge between the Institute's research and the fields of academic Jewish studies and Jewish communal research; and contribute as a faculty member and research fellow.

The North American Scholars Circle (NASC) and Hartman Scholars Network (HSN) provide leading and emerging Jewish and Israel studies academics with the ideas, frameworks, confidence, skills, and close relationships that Jewish and Israel studies faculty need to take on communal leadership and public intellectual leadership roles in this complicated moment on college campuses.

The ideal candidate has a doctoral degree in Jewish Studies or a related area, strong experience in academic program management, and the ability to cultivate networks of scholars and thought leaders. This position is based in New York and includes travel to Israel approximately one time annually and domestic travel as needed for conferences and programs.

Responsibilities

• Program Leadership: Design, coordinate, and execute academic programs and conferences, including the North American Scholars Circle and Kogod Research Center convenings to strengthen Hartman’s academic infrastructure and global reputation.
• Network Building: Cultivate relationships with North American scholars, faculty, and partner institutions to expand the reach and impact of Hartman’s research agenda.
• Content Translation: Collaborate with colleagues to translate research into accessible formats for diverse audiences (scholars, communal leaders, lay leaders).
• Operational Oversight and Collaboration: Manage program budgets, timelines, and evaluation processes to ensure excellence and accountability in offerings for academic audiences. Partner with faculty, the grant writing team, the educational leadership team, and program staff as needed.
• Faculty and Research Team Member: Serve as a faculty member and research fellow, contributing to teaching, research seminars, and thought leadership.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Jewish Studies (academic or ordination); PhD preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant administrative or program leadership experience in an academic setting.
• Demonstrated record of scholarship and teaching.
• Deep understanding of and alignment with SHI NA’s mission.
• Experience organizing academic conferences, research networks, or comparable convenings.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to travel (domestically and to Israel) as needed.
• Highly professional demeanor with the ability to collaborate across senior leadership, faculty, and stakeholders.
• Flexible, entrepreneurial, and collegial working style.
• Sense of humor and intellectual curiosity.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range: $100,000 – $145,000, commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package. SHI NA is an equal opportunity employer.

To Apply

Please submit both a resume and cover letter through this link: https://jobs.crelate.com/portal/shalomhartman/job/7nry16wnz13xbuhaqw1y6wqo9e. The cover letter should include descriptions of relevant experience and evidence of success in academic program design and scholarly engagement. No phone calls please.

We deeply value the diversity of insight, perspective, and experience brought by people from backgrounds typically underrepresented in Jewish institutions. We also welcome applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds. The organization provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, national origin, disability condition, marital status, status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.