The Program Director is a full-time, exempt position with a regular work schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with additional hours as needed to meet organizational, grant, event, and travel requirements. This position currently reports to the President. Reporting relationships may be adjusted as organizational needs evolve; however, the position will retain high-level responsibility for program leadership, grant coordination, constituent engagement, and strategic support of the In Trust Center’s mission.
Job Description Summary
The Program Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the In Trust Center’s coordination work related to the Pathways for Tomorrow initiative, with a focus on supporting grantees, strengthening learning communities, developing resources, coordinating consultants, tracking outcomes, and ensuring grant deliverables are met. The position works collaboratively with staff of the In Trust Center and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) to advance the Pathways for Tomorrow initiative, support Resource Consulting, and contribute to broader organizational projects that fulfill the institutional mission and strategic plan.
As a member of the programs team, the Program Director supports membership, resourcing and engagement, webinars, in-person events, learning communities, and other initiatives that strengthen theological schools and connect their leaders to essential resources for mission vitality.
Essential Functions
The essential functions of this position include leading grant coordination and implementation; engaging grantees and constituents; curating, creating, and disseminating resources; cultivating and supporting consultant relationships; designing and facilitating learning opportunities; gathering, tracking, and analyzing data; monitoring budgets and timelines; preparing reports and plans; evaluating impact; and integrating Pathways for Tomorrow work with the In Trust Center’s programs, services, and strategic priorities.
Primary Responsibilities
- Manage Pathways for Tomorrow grant coordination activities, including developing proposals, maintaining documentation, collecting and tracking data, preparing reports and plans, monitoring budgets and timelines, evaluating progress, and assessing impact.
- Work closely with In Trust Center and ATS teams to support co-coordination of the initiative, including communications, content development, meeting preparation, event execution, and follow-up with grantees and partners.
- Participate in regular team meetings, planning sessions, and in-person gatherings, including contributing to event planning, leading workshops, facilitating plenary or small-group sessions, and providing hands-on support for successful program delivery.
- Design and lead online and in-person learning community spaces that foster grantee engagement, peer learning, resource sharing, and connection among In Trust Center members and affiliates.
- Coordinate the work of consultants, contractors, and project collaborators ensuring that assigned work aligns with project goals, timelines, quality standards, and organizational expectations.
- Develop and implement coordination strategies that respond to grantee needs and strengthen consultant engagement. Create useful resources, generate relevant content, and align initiative activities with organizational goals.
- Work closely with the President and other designated staff to ensure grant deliverables, reporting obligations, timelines, and funder expectations are met.
- Serve as an active member of the Resource Consulting team by supporting members and affiliates through consultation, resource connection, consultant coordination, and integration of related initiatives with broader In Trust Center work.
- Contribute to the In Trust Center mission by actively engaging with colleagues to support all programs and initiatives.
- Provide onsite and online hospitality, facilitation, and technology support during events, meetings, webinars, and learning community activities.
- Perform other duties and participate in organizational projects as assigned in support of the In Trust Center’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.
Value Traits
- Demonstrated excellence in organization, project management, follow-through, and attention to detail.
- High degree of personal effectiveness, credibility, discretion, and professional judgment.
- Commitment to the mission and values of the In Trust Center for Theological Schools.
- Deep respect for the diverse religious traditions, institutional contexts, and lived experiences of members, partners, and constituents.
Competencies
- Highly collaborative, self-directed, strategic, and able to build trust across diverse teams and constituencies.
- Hands-on, public-facing, and effective in both execution and administration.
- Exceptional leadership, organizational, project management, and administrative skills.
- Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, and facilitation skills.
- Excellence in managing and communicating deadlines.
- Excellence in cultivating and facilitating relationships.
- Flexibility, sound time management, adaptability, composure, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a changing environment.
- Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to cultivate respectful, productive, and inclusive working relationships with colleagues, consultants, grantees, members, and constituents.
- Exceptional, meticulous attention to detail.
- Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, survey tools, and database systems; familiarity with Adobe products preferred; ability to learn and efficiently use customized platforms and emerging tools.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree preferred, with knowledge of or demonstrated interest in theology, religion, higher education, nonprofit leadership, or a related field.
- Nonprofit sector experience preferred.
- Five to seven years of relevant experience in theological education, nonprofit program leadership, grant coordination, project management, consulting, higher education, or a related field preferred.
- Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, including travel to the Wilmington, Delaware, office quarterly and to other locations for meetings, events, and conferences as needed.
- Ability to travel to and attend multi-day events and meetings as needed.
- Ability to lift objects that may weigh up to 30 pounds.
Job Description Acknowledgment
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. The In Trust Center may revise the job description at any time based on organizational needs.
