Entry Level Academic Advisor Jobs in Edison, NJ (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are:

NCSY, a project of the Orthodox Union, connects with Jewish teens through innovative,cutting-edgesocial and recreational programs to develop a positive Jewish identity. NCSY Inspires Jewish teens and their connection to Israel through informal Jewish education,retreatsand summer programs. NCSY Empowers teens through leadership development and guidance to become passionately committed leaders of the Jewish community and instruments for positive change and renewal. NCSY is the premier organization dedicated toconnect, inspire and empowering Jewish teens and encourage passionate Judaism through Torah and Tradition.

The Orthodox Union (OU) is one of the largest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States. Founded in 1898, the OU supports a network of synagogues, youth programs, Jewish and Religious Zionist advocacy programs, programs for people with disabilities, localized religious study programs, and international units. The OU maintains a kosher certification service whose circled U symbol,, is found on the labels of many kosher commercial and consumer food products.

Position Overview:

The Advisor Engagement Manager serves as the central architect of the advisor ecosystem. This role manages recruitment, data infrastructure, training systems, and career pathways while staying deeply embedded in campus life at New York-area universities that serve as primary sources of NCSY advisors.

This position requires someone who is authentically part of the campus fabric and builds genuine relationships with current students. They will work collaboratively with regional directors, city directors, and advisor coordinators to provide the infrastructure, resources, and guidance that enable their volunteer advisors to thrive.

Responsibilities:

• Build and Maintain Advisor Database: Create a centralized system tracking advisor contact information, academic majors, skills, career interests, training completion, and availability. Analyze data toidentifyhigh-potential advisors, match them to regional needs, andidentifyprospects for NCSY staff roles.
• Centralized Recruitment: Serve as the primary recruiter for the national advisor pool.Run recruitment and outreach at universities in the New York area.Identifyand recruit advisors from diverse backgrounds to ensure regions and chapters can find advisors matching their teen populations and community contexts.
• Cross-Regional Matching:Identifywhen one region has surplus advisors, and another faces a shortage. Facilitate cross-regional sharing and placement. Ensure underserved regions receiveequitableaccess to committed advisors.
• Training Curriculum Ownership: Develop national-level training standards and curriculum content. Partner with regional staff to deliver training with local context rather than imposing uniform national events.
• Advisor-to-Staff PipelineInitiative:Work directly with the OU's Talent Pipeline Team.Formalize the pathway from advisor to NCSY professional role.Identifyand develop high-potential advisors for leadership opportunities. Track placements into NCSY staff positions.
• Professional Development: Create ongoing mentorship, learning opportunities, and a leadership ladder where experienced advisors can advance into roles such as advisor council positions. Support advisors' spiritual growth and prevent burnout through meaningful recognition and development pathways.
• Regional Collaboration: Work closely with regional directors and coordinators to understand their specific needs, constraints, and successes. Consult and collaborate rather than impose top-down solutions. Provide regions with training materials and support their efforts to strengthen advisor engagement.
• Campus Presence:Maintainoffice hours at local university campuses (minimum 1-2 days per week) for drop-in conversations, relationship building, and accessibility. Be a visible part of campus culture and the advisor community.

Key Competencies and Traits:

• Strategic Recruiter: Understands that different advisors connect with different teens and chapters. Recruits across diverse backgrounds and perspectives to match varied chapter needs.
• Systems Thinker: Designs infrastructure, processes, and workflows that reduce barriers and enable others to do their best work.Thinksstrategically about long-term pipelines and retention.
• Collaborative Leader: Partners with regional stakeholders rather than imposing solutions from above. Listens to ground-levelexpertiseand adjusts approaches based on feedback.
• Detail-Oriented and Organized: Manages multiple data streams, deadlines, and stakeholder relationships without losing track. Follows through on commitments.
• Relatable and Approachable: Advisors and students see this person as someone they want to follow and confide in. Builds trust quickly and makes others feel valued.

Qualifications:

• Entry-level position; candidates with 1-3 years of relevant experience are encouraged to apply
• Substantial NCSY advisor experience or equivalent youth and community leadership experience
• Proficiencywith data management tools (spreadsheets, databases) and willingness to learn new systems
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills withdemonstratedability to build relationships across diverse groups
• Ability tomaintainconsistent on-campus presence (minimum 1-2 days perweek at local universities)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience recruiting, managing, or supporting volunteers
• Familiarity with NCSY or OU organizational structure and culture
• Interest in data analysis and strategic planning

Reporting and Location:

• Reports to:Managing Director of Operations
• Location: Based in the New York area with regular office hours at local university campuses. Occasional regional travel to meet with NCSY staff and advisors.
• Peer Relationship: Works closely with the Associate Director of Advisor Engagement to ensure comprehensive campus and advisor community coverage.

Salary & Benefits:

The salary range for this positionis$60,000- $70,000, commensurate with experience.

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance:
The OU offers health insurance through an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA). Instead of a single group plan, employees have the freedom to choose their own health insurance plan that fits their personal and family needs. The OU contributes a generous monthly amount directly toward your premium, making coverage more flexible, affordable, and tailored to you.

Employees enrolled in our health plan also receive an annualBeniCompstipend, a supplemental benefit that reimburses eligible medical, pharmaceutical, dental, and vision expenses.

In addition, the OU offers employees group dental and vision insurance through MetLife.

Additional Benefits and Perks:

• 10 Paid sick days
• 10-15 Paid vacation days
• Paid Jewish and Federal holidays
• Short Fridays to accommodate for Sabbath observance
• Free life and disability insurance
• Discounted continuing education opportunities
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after 3 years (requires a minimum 2% employee contribution)