Director of Talbot Embedded

Director of Talbot Embedded

Biola University announces a full-time leadership position for the Talbot School of Theology beginning Fall 2026. This is a primarily director-level administrative role focused on the leadership, growth, and strategic execution of the Talbot Embedded initiative. The Director is responsible for developing partnerships, driving enrollment, and ensuring the overall success of Talbot Embedded.

Candidates must be willing to relocate in order to work in residence at Talbot's campus in La Mirada, CA or Phoenix, AZ.

Alignment with Theological Positions: The person who fills this position must be someone who personally agrees with Biola's Articles of Faith and Statement of Biblical Principles and who is supportive of the positions taken by Biola as contained in its Eschatology Teaching Position. As such, this person may not speak against or act in a manner inconsistent with these positions during the course of their employment at Biola.

Department: Talbot

Supervisors: Director of Strategic Initiatives, Talbot

Supervision Over Others:

• Talbot Embedded Program Administrator
• Talbot Embedded Regional Supervisors

Educational Requirements:

• Master's degree required.
• Doctoral degree strongly preferred in theology, ministry, leadership, or a related field.

Work Requirements:

• Exempt (01), full-time 40 hours per week, 12 months per year
• This position is based in La Mirada, CA or Phoenix, AZ.
• Availability for occasional evening or weekend work.
• Ability to travel as needed to cultivate partnerships and support Talbot Embedded growth.

Essential Duties:

Strategic Leadership:

• Provide overall vision, strategy, and leadership for the Talbot Embedded initiative, ensuring alignment with Talbot School of Theology and Biola University mission and priorities.
• Develop and execute multi-year strategic plans to expand the reach, quality, and sustainability of embedded programs.
• Identify and evaluate new market opportunities, geographic expansion, and program innovation.
• Regularly assess program effectiveness and make adjustments to strengthen outcomes and long-term impact.

Partnerships:

• Build, develop, and maintain high-level relationships with key churches, ministry networks, denominations, and parachurch organizations.
• Serve as the primary representative of Talbot Embedded to external partners, donors, and stakeholders.
• Negotiate, develop, and oversee Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) and partnership commitments.
• Cultivate strategic alliances that increase enrollment pipelines and program impact.
• Travel to engage prospective and existing partners and strengthen long-term relationships.

Program Leadership & Operations:

• Provide executive oversight of all Talbot Embedded cohort sites, ensuring excellence in delivery, consistency, and program quality.
• Work directly with Department Chairs and Program Directors to ensure appropriate course scheduling and faculty assignments aligned with program needs.
• Ensure effective program delivery and site logistics, including facilities, technology infrastructure, communication, and student experience.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate program success, growth, and outcomes.
• Oversee all financial aspects of the Talbot Embedded initiative, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Manage external grant funding, including reporting, compliance, and stewardship of donor relationships.
• Develop sustainable financial models to support long-term program growth.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and development for Talbot Embedded staff, including Program Administrator and Regional Supervisors.
• Recruit, onboard, and mentor staff supporting embedded programs.
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative team culture aligned with institutional values.
• Work in coordination with Department Chairs, Program Directors, and Talbot leadership to ensure alignment with academic priorities and institutional processes.
• Support accreditation, assessment, and reporting efforts as part of broader seminary operations.
• Perform other related operational and administrative responsibilities as assigned.

Marketing, Enrollment & Growth:

• Develop and implement comprehensive marketing and recruitment strategies in partnership with admissions and marketing teams.
• Drive enrollment growth through innovative outreach, partnerships, and brand positioning.
• Oversee messaging, communications, and promotional initiatives specific to Talbot Embedded.
• Monitor enrollment trends and adjust strategies in response to performance and program needs.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree required; doctoral degree strongly preferred in theology, ministry, leadership, or a related field.
• Minimum 57 years of progressive experience in academic administration, operations, or a related leadership role, preferably within higher education.
• Significant leadership and administrative experience in higher education, ministry, or nonprofit environments.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including oversight of programs, operations, projects, or teams.
• Commitment to the mission of Biola University and the integration of faith and learning.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the mission of Talbot School of Theology.
• Evidence of a mature Christian faith and lifestyle consistent with Biola's standards of conduct.
• Active involvement in a local church.
• Proven ability to lead complex programs, partnerships, and distributed teams.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, program development, and organizational growth.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience managing budgets and grant-funded initiatives.
• Ability to develop, implement, and clearly communicate policies, procedures, and operational strategies.
• Highly organized and self-directed, with the ability to manage complex priorities and exercise sound judgment.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously while maintaining strategic focus and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, and resolve complex operational and organizational issues.
• Demonstrated dependability, integrity, and accountability for operational outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including professional presentation, reporting, and executive-level communication.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to build trust and influence stakeholders.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with academic leadership, staff, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to engage a diverse constituency and contribute to a collaborative, service-oriented environment.
• Commitment to ethical conduct, confidentiality, and sound professional judgment.
• Positive, approachable, and collegial, contributing to a strong team culture.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and a learning-oriented, teachable posture.
• Strong computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and relevant data/reporting tools.
• Experience with accreditation processes, regulatory compliance, or institutional reporting preferred.
• Availability to support occasional evening or weekend work as required for campus operations and events.
• Ability to travel as needed to support partnership development, program oversight, and institutional initiatives.

Salary range: $87,000 - $120,000* (AZ: $76,560 - $105,600)

*Pursuant to California pay transparency requirements, a salary range is provided for this position. Actual compensation will be determined based on qualifications, experience, education, skills, and other factors permitted by law. Salary ranges may vary depending on the employee's primary work location. Accordingly, the salary range posted for positions located in California may differ from the salary range applicable to positions located in Arizona or other states. Candidates will be informed of the salary range applicable to their work location during the recruitment process.