Managing Director of 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

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Schedule: Part time at 60-80 hours/month

Compensation: $35/hour, with the opportunity for increased salary and hours based on fundraising

Start date: July 1, 2026, or sooner

To apply: Apply via our portal https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/307D8CA12ACD42150698482273C4B351/jobs/105505

(Please submit a cover letter, resume, and two samples of graphic design. The cover letter should indicate how your skills and experience align with the Jewish Language Project’s mission and initiatives. Application review will begin April 30. Finalists will be interviewed, given small sample projects to complete, and asked for two references.)

• Interest in Jewish languages and global Jewish communities
• Basic Hebrew knowledge preferred