Director, Center for Spiritual Life and Campus Chaplain

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The Director, Center for Spiritual Life and Campus Chaplain reports to the Assistant Vice President of Student Experience and will oversee the staffing, programming, and vision for the college's Center for Spiritual Life (CSL). The Director will also serve as the college's Chaplain, and will provide support and
guidance for students and groups involved in religious activities, faith traditions, and personal spiritual growth. This is an important role that requires knowledge of a broad base of faith-based traditions, beliefs, and practices, and excellent general organizational and administrative skills. The Director works collaboratively with departments across the College to promote an inclusive and creative campus
community.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Strategic Leadership and Administration

• Provide long-term planning and leadership for the Center for Spiritual Life, ensuring alignment with divisional and institutional priorities.
• Oversee all Center operations, including staffing, programming, communications, and the management of the Center for Spiritual Life office suite and prayer and meditation rooms.
• Hire, supervise, and support part-time affiliated chaplains and student workers engaged in spiritual life programming and care.
• Develop and administer the departmental budget, ensuring responsible fiscal management and compliance with College financial guidelines.
• Oversee special funds, including donor-supported accounts, ensuring compliance with College policy and donor intent.
• Serve as the administrator for the CSL, approving expense reports, managing communications, coordinating staff meetings and room reservations, and managing the supplies and inventory for the CSL office suite.

Program Development and Implementation

• Serve as the college's Chaplain, leading community gatherings, services, and vigils in times of celebration, grief, crisis, and transition.
• Providing individual and small group spiritual counsel and support to students, faculty, and staff.
• Deliver invocations, reflections, and benedictions at college-wide gatherings, including, but not limited to, Commencement, New Student Orientations, Alumni Weekend, and Family & Friends Weekend to provide grounding and meaning.
• Serve as an advocate and voice for inclusion on campus, with a particular focus on religious literacy, interfaith cooperation, and dialoguing across difference.
• Oversee programming and events for a spiritually diverse audience to increase wellness, community building, interfaith conversation, and meaning-making on campus.
• Lead development and communication of the College's multi-faith calendar of religious and spiritual observances, ensuring that information is accurate, accessible, and supportive of inclusive planning across the institution.
• Serve as an advisor and resource on religious accommodation requests.

Student Support and Leadership Development

• Serve as a resource for students seeking engagement, connection, or guidance in navigating campus life and belonging.
• Advise student leaders in religious and spiritual life student organizations, coordinating leadership retreats, regular meetings, and development opportunities.
• Provide support to students and communities impacted by national or international events, as needed.
• Serve as a confidential resource to students seeking pastoral support and care and make referrals as appropriate to additional university resources to promote timely and appropriate student support and follow-up.

Collaboration and Campus Partnerships

• Collaborate and engage proactively with the Office of Equal Opportunity, Student Care and Support, Community Standards, and Healing and Advocacy Center.
• Collaborate with the Cultural Engagement Center, Student Engagement and Leadership, Student Transitions and Family Programs, Admissions, International Student Affairs, Student Accessibility Services, Housing and Residential Education, Wellness Center, Athletics, and other College offices to advance student engagement and belonging.
• Represent the Division of Student Affairs on committees, task forces, and projects that promote spiritual life, cultural connection, student engagement, and institutional inclusion.
• Partner with Boston-area organizations and spiritual leaders and organizations to create opportunities for cultural and faith-based exploration, education, and creative exchange beyond campus.

Divisional & Institutional Responsibilities

• All Student Affairs staff are expected to actively participate in and support major divisional and institutional programs and events, including, but not limited to, student and staff training, Move-in and Move-out, Orientation, Family & Friends Weekend, Picture Yourself at Emerson, Commencement, the Student Organization Fair, and other key community-building initiatives.
• Evening and weekend participation is expected for campus events and student engagement activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS - Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to effectively perform job.

• Master's Degree in Divinity, Theology, Religious Studies or a related field required
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in Spiritual leadership roles, including administrative and pastoral/spiritual care, preferably in a higher education environment required.
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing a team, including staff and volunteers required.
• Ordination or certification from a faith tradition, preferred.
• Experience in crisis management and grief and loss counseling, preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with job.

• Interfaith awareness, religious literacy, and knowledge of Boston faith communities
• Ability to provide spiritual counseling and one on one mentorship and guidance
• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills
• Confident public speaking skills, and the ability to present to both large and small groups
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to produce content for social media channels
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to follow through on tasks and requests
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Good management, leadership, and administrative skills
• Proficiency in using computers and the ability to learn new computer software easily
• Good decision-making skills and the ability to use independent judgment

PHYSICAL ABILITIES - Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• This position is active in nature, continuous movement is required.
• Ability to have continuous oral and written communication with co-workers and supervisors is essential.
• Repetitive movements, occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds, reaching, lifting, stooping, climbing and the ability to read a computer screen, detect color-coding and read fine print will be expected.

WORK ENVIRONMENT - Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• General office conditions
• Exposed to moderate noise levels

Compensation: $82,150.00 - $102,650.00 annually, commensurate with experience.

Grade of Position: 23-10E

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25

Division:

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week.

Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits such as life and disability coverage as well as commuter offerings are available.

Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.