Job Description

Program Description

Launched in Fall 2025, the MFA in Creative Writing is JTS’s newest degree program. At JTS, 

MFA students experiment with diverse methods of storytelling while developing their 

creative voice and working intensively on their own projects and process. This four-semester, two-year program combines in-person residencies on the JTS campus with 

personalized study and mentorship from world-renowned storytellers.

Inspired by the rich tradition of Jewish storytelling, this MFA welcomes writers who have a 

story to tell and want to work with cutting-edge contemporary writers and artists in an 

environment that supports fiction, poetry, performance, non-fiction, songwriting, hybrid 

forms, and work that exists between genres. More information is available at

Position Description

JTS seeks an Academic Assistant Director for its new MFA in Creative Writing directed by 

Etgar Keret — a creative, organized, and forward-thinking professional interested in higher 

education administration and deeply engaged in contemporary and storytelling culture.

Reporting to the Dean of the Division of Lifelong and Professional Studies, the Academic 

Assistant Director will implement and execute the MFA Director’s vision while taking a 

primary leadership role across admissions, curriculum administration, program 

management, student support, and the program’s ongoing growth.

Working in close partnership with the MFA Assistant Director, this role serves as the 

second full-time staff member in this new program, sharing collective responsibility for all 

aspects of the MFA’s day-to-day management and long-term development. The Academic 

Assistant Director will lead certain initiatives while providing essential support in others, 

maintaining a comprehensive understanding of all program functions to step into 

leadership tasks as needed. The two assistant director roles are peers with complementary 

portfolios and collaborate closely under the guidance of MFA Director Etgar Keret and the 

Dean.

This position is ideal for someone who is adaptable, collaborative, and comfortable wearing 

many hats in a dynamic, growing creative arts program.

Occasional evening and weekend work is required. Full on-site presence, extended hours, 

and hands-on operational support are required during each low-residency session and 

major public events

Key Responsibilities

The following reflects primary areas of responsibility; specific duties may evolve as the 

program grows.

Leadership Roles

Program Leadership and Administration

• Collaborate with MFA leadership (MFA Director, MFA Assistant Director, and Dean 

of the DLPS) to build and implement the program’s academic and creative vision.

• Serve as a primary academic administrator for the MFA program, ensuring smooth 

operation of all academic and student-facing components and providing cross-coverage for other operational functions

Admissions

• Oversee recruitment and admissions processes in collaboration with MFA Assistant 

Director and the Executive Director of Admissions and Enrollment.

• Manage communications with prospective students, ensuring timely, personalized, 

and mission-aligned engagement.

• Support onboarding and orientation for new students

Student Experience and Academic Coordination

• Advise students on program requirements and track academic progress from 

admission through graduation.

• Serve as a liaison between students, mentors, and JTS administration, ensuring clear 

communication and timely resolution of issues.

• Develop and maintain internal administrative systems, workflows, and tracking 

tools.

Curriculum Administration and Faculty Support

• Onboard and support mentors; coordinate teaching assignments, mentorship 

pairings, and student matches in collaboration with MFA team. 

• Manage academic logistics, including Canvas course setup, grading processes, and 

documentation in collaboration with the DLPS Administrative Director. 

• Ensure alignment with JTS academic policies and contribute to ongoing program 

review and assessment

Residency Leadership

• Co-lead the planning and execution of each semester’s low-residency session, 

including scheduling, housing, and on-site logistics.

• Collaborate with MFA leadership to design academic and creative programming and 

manage faculty and guest-artist communications.

• Provide full-time, on-site operational support throughout each residency, including 

extended hours, hands-on production tasks, room setups, space transitions, signage 

placement, tech checks, and coordination with volunteers and staff.

• Support the physical demands of residences, including long days on foot and moving 

light materials

Support Roles (led by others) 

Program Operations and Administrative Support

• Support budget planning, reporting, and grant proposal development; assist with 

donor and partner communications.

• Support MFA events, initiatives, and new program expansions led by the MFA 

Assistant Director, including post-residency projects, cohort publications, and 

storytelling events

Marketing, Communications, and External Relations

• Collaborate with JTS Communications on marketing, design, content creation, and 

press materials.

• Explore partnerships with literary and cultural organizations that enhance the 

MFA’s visibility and student opportunities.

• Manage community outreach and audience engagement for residencies and 

festivals.

SPOILER: The Unpredictable Story Festival (Annual Storytelling Festival)

• Collaborate with MFA leadership to curate and produce the annual festival, held 

during each fall residency.

• Support artist selection, contracting, and event production logistics, including run-of-show planning, technical setup, staffing, and hands-on production support.

• Provide extended-hour availability throughout festival programming.

Preferred Qualifications

• MFA, MA in a related field, or equivalent experience.

• 3+ years of experience in higher education, arts administration, or a related field.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across departments and to work 

both independently and as part of a team.

• Positive, collaborative, proactive attitude.

• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects 

simultaneously. 

• Effectively navigates high-pressure situations, demonstrating strong emotional 

intelligence and the ability to work seamlessly with a variety of personalities.

• Flexible working style with the ability to guide project execution while also 

performing day-to-day administrative work.

• Fluency in Microsoft Office and Zoom; comfort with or eagerness to learn additional 

platforms used by JTS (e.g., Canvas LMS, CRM systems, and database tools)

Other Details

Department: Division of Lifelong and Professional Studies

Reports to: Dean of the Division of Lifelong and Professional Studies

Location: In-person, New York City

Full-time: 35-hour work week, with Fridays off

Salary: $80,000

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