Program Director
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Position Details
Position Title : Program Director
Position Number : 8102859
Work Modality : Fully Remote
Job Category : University Staff
Job Type : Full-Time
FLSA Status : Exempt
Campus : Off-Campus / Remote
Department : Institute for Pastoral Studies
Location : Institute of Pastoral Studies (03200A)
Grant Funding : Yes
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. 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), demonstrated organizational and administrative expertise, and 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. 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 workstreamsOversee sub‑grants to partner schools, ensuring compliance with Lilly Endowment guidelines and Loyola’s sponsored‑program policiesCoordinate national convenings, advise and support core partners for regional gatherings and other activities; assist as needed with the Synodal Adsumus Fellowship programServe as primary liaison with Lilly Endowment at all stages to ensure compliance and mission alignmentCoach Network Participant liaisons in synodal leadership and movement buildingEvaluation & Learning
Partner with external evaluators to design and implement the performance‑indicator framework; steward data collection and continuous‑improvement cyclesTranslate findings into actionable insights for committees, funders, and public audiences and scholarly audiencesImplement standardized evaluation rubrics for pilot projects and regional activitiesCommunications & Stakeholder Engagement
Supervise contracted communication consultants; produce reports, web content, and thought‑leadership pieces that amplify project impactServe as primary spokesperson to Lilly Endowment, media, and ecclesial networksCoordinate dissemination of best practices and pilot project outcomesRepresent CENTERS at professional conferences and ecclesial gatheringsFinancial Oversight
In collaboration with IPS finance staff, prepare the annual CENTERS budget, authorize expenditures, and forecast long‑term sustainability strategiesSupport collaborative fundraising efforts for program sustainability beyond grant periodWork with network partners on fundraising, endowment development, and long‑term governance planningTeam Supervision
Hire, mentor, and evaluate any needed project staff, graduate assistants, and volunteers; foster a collaborative, synodal work cultureCoordinate with Loyola faculty and offices (e.g., Advancement, Marketing, Sponsored Programs) to embed CENTERS within university systems and leverage additional resourcesTeaching & Academic Integration
Design and teach one graduate‑level course per year that advances students’ understanding of synodality and connects directly to CENTERS programmingMentor students involved in CENTERS research and fellowship activitiesSupport integration of synodal principles into broader IPS curriculum and formation programsAdditional Responsibilities
Perform other activities as assigned to advance the CENTERS missionTravel frequently to network institutions, regional gatherings, and national conferences (approximately 25‑30% of time)Required Qualifications
Knowledge and Expertise
Deep understanding of Catholic ecclesiology, particularly synodal theology and Vatican IIKnowledge of Catholic social teaching and its applications in institutional contextsFamiliarity with contemporary challenges in Catholic theological education and ministry formationUnderstanding of participatory pedagogies and adult learning principlesAwareness of global Catholic Church developments and papal teachingSkills and Competencies
Exceptional organizational and project management abilities, including experience with workplan development, timeline management, and risk assessmentStrong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to serve as spokesperson to diverse audiencesProven ability to facilitate collaborative decision‑making processes and translate committee decisions into actionable plansExperience with meeting planning, event coordination, and logistics managementProficiency in digital collaboration tools, database management, and budget oversightAbility to supervise staff and foster collaborative, synodal work cultureExperience with external evaluation processes and data‑driven continuous improvementAbility to travel frequently (approximately 25‑30% of time)Intercultural competency and sensitivity to diverse ecclesial contextsPersonal Attributes
Commitment to synodal values of dialogue, participation, and co‑responsibilityCollaborative leadership style aligned with participatory ecclesiologySpiritual maturity and understanding of contemplative dimensions of leadershipFlexibility and adaptability in dynamic, emerging organizational contextsCultural sensitivity and ability to work across diverse Catholic institutionsPreferred Qualifications
Previous experience with Lilly Endowment grants or similar large‑scale ecclesial initiativesBackground in Catholic community organizing or grassroots ecclesial movementsExperience with Vatican offices or international Catholic organizationsDemonstrated experience in fundraising and development activitiesGraduate‑level teaching experience in Catholic theological educationFluency in Spanish or other languages relevant to U.S. Catholic diversityPublished scholarship or presentations in areas related to synodality, ecclesiology, or theological educationNetwork of relationships within Catholic higher education or diocesan leadershipExperience with external evaluation and assessment processesMinimum Education and / or Work Experience
Master’s degree in Theology, Pastoral Studies, Ministry, or related field; Doctorate preferredMinimum 7‑10 years of experience in Catholic higher education, theological education, or ecclesial leadershipDemonstrated experience managing complex, multi‑institutional collaborative projectsProven track record in grant administration and program management, preferably with Lilly Endowment or similar large‑scale initiativesExperience with Catholic Church structures, governance, and contemporary ecclesial movementsTeaching experience at the graduate level preferredBenefits and Salary
Position Maximum Salary : $70,000 per annum
Position Minimum Salary : $60,000 per annum
Employment Equity
Loyola University Chicago adheres to all applicable federal, state, and / or local civil rights laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in private institutions of higher education. Please see the University’s Nondiscrimination Policy.
Applicant Documents
ResumeCover Letter / Letter of ApplicationSupplemental Questions
Do you possess a Master’s degree in Theology, Pastoral Studies, Ministry, or a closely related field?YesNoDo you have at least seven years of professional experience in Catholic higher education, theological education, or ecclesial leadership?YesNoWhy do you want to work for Loyola University Chicago? (Open ended question)How did you hear about this employment opportunity?Public Job PostingInternal Job PostingAgency ReferralAdvertisement / PublicationPersonal ReferralWebsiteOtherHow do your personal values align with Loyola University Chicago's mission and values? (Open ended question)Loyola University Chicago | Information : (773) 508-6000
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