Program Director

Overview

Job Title : PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Position Number : 8102859

Work Modality : Fully Remote Work

Job Category : University Staff

Job Type : Full-Time

FLSA Status : Exempt

Campus : Off-Campus / Remote

Department Name : INSTITUTE FOR PASTORAL STUDIES

Location Code : INSTITUTE OF PASTORAL STUDIES (03200A)

Grant Funding : Yes

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Director

Catholic Education Network to Enact and Resource Synodality (CENTERS)

Loyola University Chicago, Institute of Pastoral Studies

Position Type : Full-time, Grant-funded (5 years)

Reports to : Dean, Institute of Pastoral Studies

Location : Chicago, IL with national travel required

About CENTERS

The Catholic Education Network to Enact and Resource Synodality (CENTERS) is a $10 million Lilly Endowment-funded initiative housed at Loyola University Chicago's Institute of Pastoral Studies. CENTERS is a collaborative network of 16 Catholic colleges and universities across the United States working to implement synodality—the Church's official mode of proceeding emphasizing shared discernment, participation, and co-responsibility among all the baptized. This transformative initiative responds to Pope Francis's global call for ecclesial renewal and Pope Leo XIV's continued emphasis on unity and Catholic social teaching.

Position Summary

Loyola University Chicago seeks a dynamic and efficient leader to serve as national director of the grant-funded Catholic Education Network to Enact and Resource Synodality (CENTERS) . Growing out of engagement with the 2021-2024 Synod on Synodality, the sixteen-university network housed at Loyola University Chicago's Institute of Pastoral Studies seeks to cultivate synodal leadership across Catholic Higher Education nationally, in close conversation with local dioceses and international partners, including the Holy See. Housed at the Institute of Pastoral Studies, the Director serves as the executive officer for the CENTERS Initiative, ensuring that collaborative projects, fellowships, convenings, communications, evaluation, and budgeting proceed on schedule, and reflect synodal principles. Other responsibilities include developing and aligning with the consensus of the Steering and Leadership Committees, liaising with Lilly Endowment, overseeing day-to-day operations, coordinating the inter-institutional network, and driving strategic planning and implementation for all grant-supported activities.

The ideal candidate will have a graduate degree in theology, leadership, or a related field (ideally a terminal degree). S / He will have demonstrated organizational and administrative expertise, along with a fluency in the contours of policy, strategic vision, mission / identity, and organizational management in both church and university contexts. A familiarity with the methods of synodality and community organizing is desired, but not strictly necessary. S / He will work closely with the grant PI's to envision, coordinate, implement, and report on various elements of a larger project with various local, regional, and national initiatives. A willingness to contribute collaboratively within a team dynamic and an ongoing commitment to pastoral formation in educational settings are essential and compulsory.

The Director also teaches one graduate course each academic year that advances theological and pastoral understandings of and engagement with synodality.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Leadership & Governance : Serve as executive officer for the CENTERS Initiative, translating committee decisions into actionable plans; Chair (or co-chair) Leadership Committee meetings when rotating into that role and prepare materials for all Steering Committee sessions; Maintain and grow productive relationships with Core Partners, Network Participants, Regional Tables, Advisory Council, bishops, and external collaborators; Ensure program alignment with Vatican implementation timeline (2026-28) and synodal methods and virtues.
• Project & Grant Management : Develop and manage annual work plans, grant timelines; monitor deliverables across multiple workstreams; Oversee sub-grants to partner schools, ensuring compliance with Lilly Endowment guidelines and Loyola's sponsored-program policies; Coordinate national convenings, advise and support core partners for regional gatherings and other activities; assist as needed with the Synodal Adsumus Fellowship program; Serve as primary liaison with Lilly Endowment at all stages to ensure compliance and mission alignment; Coach Network Participant liaisons in synodal leadership and movement building.
• Evaluation & Learning : Partner with external evaluators to design and implement the performance-indicator framework; steward data collection and continuous-improvement cycles; Translate findings into actionable insights for committees, funders, and public audiences and scholarly audiences; Implement standardized evaluation rubrics for pilot projects and regional activities.
• Communications & Stakeholder Engagement : Supervise contracted communication consultants; produce reports, web content, and thought-leadership pieces that amplify project impact; Serve as primary spokesperson to Lilly Endowment, media, and ecclesial networks; Coordinate dissemination of best practices and pilot project outcomes; Represent CENTERS at professional conferences and ecclesial gatherings.
• Financial Oversight : In collaboration with IPS finance staff, prepare the annual CENTERS budget, authorize expenditures, and forecast long-term sustainability; Support fundraising efforts for program sustainability beyond grant period; Work with network partners on fundraising, endowment development, and long-term governance planning.
• Team Supervision : Hire, mentor, and evaluate any needed project staff, graduate assistants, and volunteers; foster a collaborative, synodal work culture; Coordinate with Loyola faculty and offices to embed CENTERS within university systems and leverage additional resources.
• Teaching & Academic Integration : Design and teach one graduate-level course per year that advances students' understanding of synodality and connects directly to CENTERS programming; Mentor students involved in CENTERS research and fellowship activities; Support integration of synodal principles into broader IPS curriculum and formation programs.
• Additional Responsibilities : Perform other activities as assigned to advance the CENTERS mission; Travel frequently to network institutions, regional gatherings, and national conferences (approximately 25-30% of time).

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Minimum Education and / or Work Experience

Education / Certifications

Computer Skills

Proficiency in digital collaboration tools, database management, and budget oversight

Supervisory Responsibilities

No

Operational Details

Open Date

01 / 05 / 2026

Compensation

Position Maximum Salary or Hourly Rate : $70,000 / ann

Position Minimum Salary or Hourly Rate : $60,000 / ann

Special Instructions to Applicants

As a Jesuit, Catholic institution of higher education, we seek candidates who will contribute to our strategic plan to deliver a Transformative Education in the Jesuit tradition. To learn more about Loyola University Chicago's mission, candidates should consult our website at www.luc.edu / mission / . For information about the university's focus on transformative education, consult www.luc.edu / transformativeed .

About Loyola University Chicago

Founded in 1870, Loyola University Chicago is a Jesuit, Catholic university with a strong focus on research, community engagement, and sustainability. Loyola operates multiple campuses and emphasizes ethical leadership and service. See the university site for details.

Loyola University Chicago seeks to be an employer of choice by offering its staff and faculty a wide array of benefits. Details are available on the university site.

Loyola adheres to applicable civil rights laws and regulations. See Nondiscrimination Policy.

Application Links & Questions

Quick Link for Posting : https : / / www.careers.luc.edu / postings / 34421

Supplemental Questions and Applicant Documents : Resume, Cover Letter / Letter of Application

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