Student Life Associate

UMass Hillel

Role Overview

At UMass Hillel, people are at the heart of our work. If you are excited to build Jewish community with students of diverse backgrounds and work with a collaborative staff team, this may be the role for you.

As a Student Life Associate, you'll build meaningful connections that help Jewish students feel seen, valued, and inspired to explore their identity and community. You'll meet students where they are and help create experiences that feel relevant, joyful, and genuinely theirs.

You are an equal parts connector, coordinator, and community-builder. You're not just running programs–you're helping shape how students experience Jewish life during one of the most formative times in their lives. 

This role is ideal for an early-career professional who is energized by working directly with students across a wide range of Jewish backgrounds and identities. The Student Life Associate translates strategy into authentic connection, and impactful action and is ready to wear many hats as UMass Hillel continues to evolve and grow. 

Core Competencies

• Relationship Builder
• Project Management & Follow-Through
• Student-Centered
• Resiliency & Adaptability
• Pluralistic & Inclusive Mindset
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively

What You'll Do

• Build meaningful one-on-one relationships with students across a wide range of Jewish backgrounds and identities, from first connections to follow up that deepens engagement over time
• Create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every student feels they belong, with a particular focus on reaching students not traditionally engaged in Hillel.
• Enhance students’ college experience using proven methods as well as innovative approaches that include our Hillel garden and commercial kitchen
• Meet students where they are — across campus, through student organizations, and at campus events 
• Partner with students leaders to create and execute programming that reflects the diverse interests of UMass students
• Advise student groups to create impactful, mission-driven programming
• Collaborate with awesome staff colleagues and campus partners
• Track student interactions and program participation using Hillel engagement systems 
• Contribute to team planning, reflection, and assessment — and embrace new responsibilities as you grow with us

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required; recent graduates and early-career professionals (0–3 years) are encouraged to apply. 
• Relational approach: A genuine passion for building relationships and community
• Strong project management skills: You can work on multiple initiatives at the same time, keeping details from falling through the cracks, and follow through independently 
• Flexibility and a growth mindset**:** You're comfortable adapting as organizational needs shift and thrive in a dynamic environment
• Welcoming instincts: An ability to connect warmly with students across the full spectrum of Jewish backgrounds — from deeply observant to culturally Jewish to those just beginning to explore their identity
• Strong organization skills with a desire to learn new systems
• Creativity, initiative, and emotional intelligence
• Comfort working a flexible schedule that includes evenings, weekends, and Jewish holidays

Overqualified? We don't think so. If you've got more experience than this role calls for, apply anyway — we have room to talk about salary and scope for someone with the right energy and background.

What You'll Receive

• Salary Range: $45,000 – $48,000, based on experience. 
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan, Life, AD&D and Long Term Disability insurances, Flexible Spending Plan, generous vacation and sick leave, and parental leave
• Mentoring, career coaching, and professional development to support individualized growth
• A network of colleagues across the Hillel movement
• Travel opportunities, including potential trips to Israel

About UMass Hillel

UMass Hillel empowers students through the vitality of Jewish life to cultivate purposeful, healthy lives and relationships that better our community and world. We offer social, cultural, educational, and religious programming both on and off campus — with multiple student groups, free Shabbat meals every week, free trips to Israel, internship opportunities, and events happening almost every day of the week. UMass Hillel is a vibrant, multi-faceted, and exciting community, and a place where every Jewish student can find their home on campus.

UMass Hillel is affiliated with Hillel International. Hillel International enriches the lives of Jewish students so they may enrich the Jewish people and the world, and envisions a world where every student is inspired to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel.

About Hillel International

In 1923, Rabbi Benjamin Frankel started Hillel with humble means, a noble mission and a breathtaking vision: to convey Jewish civilization to a new generation. Today, Hillel International continues to enrich the lives of Jewish students and is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world at nearly 1,000 colleges and universities across North America and around the world. As Hillel evolves as an organization, the mission remains steadfast: to create lasting connections with every Jewish student that foster an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel and train them to become the next Jewish leaders.

Hillel is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an accepting and inclusive environment for all.