Travel and Retreats Manager

Travel and Retreats Manager

The Shalom Hartman Institute of North America 

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 is developing innovative responses to the challenges of our time, cultivating a new generation of leaders and change agents, and building transformational educational projects that are helping to inspire a better Judaism and a better Israel for the 21st century. 

Position

The Travel and Retreats Manager position will play a primary role in the Institute’s operational success. Focused on ensuring the smooth operations of programmatic activity outside the Manhattan office, and the travel that accompanies it, this professional will work cross-departmentally to ensure the activity of SHI NA that happens across North America runs smoothly by managing travel and faculty systems to help ground SHI NA’s transitory and fast-paced calendar throughout the year. The Travel and Retreats Manager will liaise closely with our team in Israel as well as all program staff to manage and maintain communications and structures while remaining flexible and creative as the year unfolds. This position will also serve as an internal consultant to all retreats that happen across North America to ensure quality control, consistency, and shared learnings.

Based in NY, the Travel and Retreats Manager will need to possess a strong customer-service demeanor, excellent attention to detail, suburb relational skills and initiative, excel in a fast-paced environment, and passion for the mission of SHI NA.

Responsibilities

• Travel Operations

• Set guidelines and policies for travel for staff, faculty, and participants; create and maintain an annual travel manual for staff and lead trainings

• Oversee all Israeli faculty and staff visits to North America; coordinate between various departments and staff and manage budget and itineraries for these trips

• Consult on all group participant travel to retreats, such as teen shabbatons, rabbinic gatherings, etc. Work with the departments running the retreats to set guidelines for this travel and create systems to do so

• Manage relationship with travel agents and vendors

• Retreats

• Partner with program staff to ensure the smooth running of programs, events, conferences, and retreats outside of the NY office

• Ensure our efforts are aligned with best practices, conduct research as needed, and serve a quality control function

• General Operations

• Build out or execute other operational systems as needed

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of relevant professional experience

• Excellent interpersonal skills including a professional, customer-service oriented demeanor, ability to “manage up” and around effectively

• Exceptionally organized and detail-oriented; able to manage multiple complex tasks

• Proven ability to thrive in a dynamic, high-energy environment and under tight deadlines

• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively

• Passion for SHI NA’s mission

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Basic proficiency with Hebrew a plus

• Track record of demonstrating sound judgment by making appropriate decisions and knowing when to take initiative in identifying problems and devising solutions

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications

• Ability and willingness to travel domestically a few times per year, and to Israel once per year

• Ability to staff occasional weekend programs

• BA / BS or equivalent, MA in relevant field preferred

• Good sense of humor

Salary and Benefits: Salary range $80,000 - $100,000, commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package. 

To apply 

Please submit a resume and cover letter below. The cover letter should include descriptions of positions with relevant experience, and demonstration of successful expertise in the core demands of the position. No phone calls please.

We thank you for your interest in career opportunities with The Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. Due to high volume, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Candidates who will be interviewed can expect a response within 2-3 weeks.

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. In addition, the organization affirmatively seeks to advance the principles of equal employment opportunity as it applies to all policies and procedures relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.