Transylvania University is a top-tier, independent, residential liberal arts college in Lexington, Kentucky - the state's second largest city with a population of 300,000 and the regional hub for entertainment, sports, the arts, and many other attractions. Founded in 1780, Transylvania University enjoys a long and distinguished history and is ranked in the top 15 percent of the nation’s four-year colleges by The Princeton Review.

Transylvania University seeks an accomplished and dynamic leader to serve as the Director of Spirituality and Religious Life. The primary goal of Spirituality and Religious Life (SRL) is to be a resource for the community, where students can be heard in a non-threatening and encouraging space; where students, faculty, and staff will be nurtured in their personal beliefs, and to offer support during difficult times. SRL will bring students, faculty, and staff together across religious identities to learn alongside one another, thus engaging and strengthening their own identity. This position is a 40 hours per week and 12 month position with approximately 20% of work time devoted to Admissions work and outreach.

Qualified candidates may submit their cover letter and resume online by following the job openings link at www.transy.edu/jobs.  Please direct the cover letter to Alison Begor, Vice President of Human Resources

Essential Duties:

• ·         Provide appropriate, ethical spiritual and pastoral care and counseling to students, faculty, and staff from a variety of religious and non-religious backgrounds. Pastoral Care includes making informal contacts with students, faculty and staff; providing counseling to members of the community, and assisting students, faculty & staff with personal issues, illness and family crisis.
• ·         Serve as the primary administrator for Spirituality and Religious Life by overseeing the office budget, calendar, and policies, in addition to event publicity and social media for the Office.
• ·         Facilitate small group activities and groups, co-sponsoring activities when appropriate; advise Disciples of Christ (DOC) and Interfaith Alliance student groups; recognize and assist denominational and para-church religious groups.
• ·         Spend intentional time in direct student contact, coaching and encouraging leadership development, and have posted office hours.
• ·         Spend intentional time in direct faculty and staff contact, providing pastoral support where sought by faculty and staff, and have posted office hours.
• ·         Assist in leading corporate prayer at worship and institutional occasions in large and small settings.
• ·         The Director may plan and lead occasional services in keeping with the plurality of traditions at the University (Ash Wednesday, Alumni Weekend Worship, etc.) and may pray at ceremonial functions when applicable and/or invited.
• ·         Assist with programming, resourcing, and helping students develop Student Religious Organizations, with the goal of transition into independent student organizations.
• ·         Assist with on-campus programming for faculty and staff.
• ·         Assist with resourcing and helping new faculty and staff connect with the organizations consistent with their faith traditions and interests.
• ·         Collaborate with Student Life in developing programs and addressing student issues and concerns.
• ·         Collaborate with Admissions by recruiting and communicating with prospective students who are interested in the college’s spiritual life programs, with an emphasis on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) prospective and legacy students.
• ·         Collaborate with Alumni Relations by communicating with alumni who are interested in the college’s spiritual life programs, with an emphasis on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) activities.
• ·         Serve as principal liaison coordinator of church relations, with particular focus on the University's relationship with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Pastoral and Church Relations functions will require periodic interaction with other executive officers and Trustees. Responsibilities include serving as a representative for off-campus, church-related activities and at various Christian Church assemblies and meetings. The Director also seeks to represent the University's ongoing interest in Disciples of Christ students, churches and alumni.
• ·         Serve as the primary contact for the Interfaith Prayer & Meditation Room.
• ·         Oversee Chapel reservations (excluding weddings), which includes facilities cleaning schedule, DPS notifications, etc.
• ·         Participate on committees across campus.
• ·         Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

● Master of Divinity degree plus 3+ years of working with college students required.

● Completion of Clinical Pastoral Education.

● Experience on a small, private, liberal arts campus strongly preferred.

● Experience working in or with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) strongly preferred.