University Chaplain/Executive Director, Religious and Spiritual Life

Department: Univ Chaplain
Salary/Grade: EXS/12

About Religious and Spiritual Life: Religious and Spiritual Life provides programs, staff, and spaces to help students explore meaning and purpose, grow in their religious or spiritual traditions, and create community. Learn more about Religious and Spiritual Life at Northwestern University: https://www.northwestern.edu/religious-life/

Job Summary:

The University Chaplain and Executive Director for Religious and Spiritual Life has a dual reporting relationship to the Assistant Vice President for Campus Inclusion and Community and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Religious and Spiritual Life is part of the Division of Student Affairs, and the University Chaplain will serve on the Student Affairs Leadership Team (SALT). The University Chaplain/Executive Director oversees religious and spiritual life on campus, providing spiritual and moral leadership to the university community. The Chaplain/Executive Director provides pastoral care and crisis support to students, faculty, staff, and others. The Chaplain leads RSL with a multifaith focus and serves as a liaison, coordinator, and partner with Campus Religious Center partners to meet the needs of students and help foster community and belonging.

This position requires a high degree of flexibility and self-motivation, willingness to work nights and weekends, the ability to manage multiple priorities and spaces/facilities, strong leadership skills, a high level of organization and communication skills, competence in fiscal resource management, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively to complete projects.

The University Chaplain/Executive Director for Religious and Spiritual Life supervises a team of 2.5 professional staff members.

Pay Range: The salary range for the University Chaplain/Executive Director of Religious and Spiritual Life position is $118,000 - $128,375 depending on experience, skills, and internal equity.

Principal Accountabilities:

• 25% Effectively lead and manage the Religious and Spiritual Life (RSL) team which includes an associate chaplain, faculty, and administrative staff. Provide vision for the Religious and Spiritual Life team and leverage data and assessment to make informed decisions on the overall direction for RSL. Prepare and oversee RSL budgets. Allocate resources in accordance with strategic and operational objectives. Manages Parkes Hall and Alice Millar and Vail Chapels, and RSL space on the Chicago campus. Advises on prayer and contemplation spaces across the University campus.
• 20% Manage departmental outreach and development, which includes fundraising and grants, program development, student outreach, and pastoral care. Participate in the daily activities of Religious and Spiritual Life including developing workshops and programs of interest to students with a multi-faith focus, stewarding funds, advising student groups and/or service trips, and supporting and/or organizing campus focused memorials and candlelight vigils. Engage as a Lead Team member of the Campus Inclusion and Community team, partnering on student programming and support.
• 20% Liaison, coordinate, and partner with Campus Religious Center (CRC) and affiliated partners. Co-develop multifaith programs and support CRC partner initiatives in service to the student community.
• 15% Provide pastoral care, support, and guidance to those who are in crisis, experiencing grief/bereavement or are in need. Organize and serve in daily rotation along with other chaplain for day-time crisis calls and serve as the primary after-hours on-call liaison for Religious and Spiritual Life.
• 10% Lead and/or coordinate services on Evanston and Chicago campuses, including writing and performing worship services, assisting with music coordination, and performing baptisms, weddings, and memorial services for campus community members, as needed.
• 10% Officiate university-wide events, such as Convocation, Baccalaureate, and Commencement, and represent Religious and Spiritual Life on divisional and campus initiatives where appropriate, such as the MLK Day Committee and Religious Exception Committee.
• Master's degree in divinity, theology, or related field is required
• A minimum of ten years of relevant experience in an academic community and/or highly relevant experience working with young adults to nurture communities of faith

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree in divinity, theology, or related field is required
• A minimum of ten years of relevant experience in an academic community and/or highly relevant experience working with young adults to nurture communities of faith

Competencies:

• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills, along with an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of constituencies within the university and beyond.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with college students and with individuals of a variety of different backgrounds.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to be an effective community builder.
• Skills in counseling, crisis management, and conflict resolution.
• Knowledge of a variety of different religious and spiritual traditions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ordination in a recognized denomination and experience in parish ministry or campus ministry are preferred.
• PhD specialization in theology or related field is preferred.

Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth and Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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