What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director of Christian Ministry position at Ashland University?
Job Description
Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs & Auxiliary Services, the Executive Director for Christian Ministry (Executive Director) is an essential leader in expressing the University’s educational mission and core values grounded in our Christian values & Brethren Church affiliation. The successful candidate will demonstrate the capacity to steward a clear, shared vision for campus ministry and guide comprehensive programming for the ecumenical Office of Christian Ministry – OCM. This is a full-time, on-site leadership opportunity with membership on the Student Affairs and Auxiliary Services Leadership Team (SAALT) and the President’s Cabinet.
The Executive Director is a proactive liaison between the university, our ministry partners, the broader religious community and functions as the University Chaplain for formal events and crisis intervention. The Executive Director also plays an important role in fostering collaborative partnerships with faculty, staff and student leaders through curricular and co-curricular programming.
- Steward a shared, university-wide vision that fosters impactful, student religious programs, services, mentoring and pastoral care that encourages student faith exploration and daily Christian discipleship.
- Direct day-to-day OCM operations housed in the Jack & Deb Miller University Chapel.
- Guide an ecumenical campus ministry team to coordinate all aspects of campus ministries, which include staff-, student-, and community-led ministries: weekly worship services, Bible studies and campus events, university religious events such as New Student Convocation, outdoor worship services, and annual mission trips.
- Collaborate with the Ashland University Center for Community & Belonging to facilitate the nexus of faith and intercultural exploration.
- Supervise OCM staff and interns, regularly meeting with each campus minister partner individually and as a team, renewing MOUs and other partnership agreements, ensuring University policies and best practices are being followed, and facilitating strong relationships and communications within and between ministry groups.
- Providing a second layer of training and accountability to student interns, approving timesheets, and coordinating cross-ministry student collaborations.
- Representing the OCM as a member of the Student Affairs and Auxiliary Services Leadership Team (SAALT) and the President’s Cabinet.
- Coordinate OCM involvement in Enrollment, recruitment and New Student Orientation.
- Chair the Student Emergency Fund (SEF) Committee, serve as a member of the Title IX University-wide Committee, Health & Wellness Committee, Student Life Committee of the Board of Trustees (non-voting staff rep.), and other committees and task forces as assigned.
- Developing and overseeing the annual department budget and providing sound financial management of university funds, grants, gifts and donations.
- Collaborating with academic departments on faith-based programs and lectures (Vocation and Life Calling, Civil Rights Pilgrimage, Bible Bowl, Rinehart Lecture, Jewish Holy Days, or other OCM related programming).
- Full-time 12-month position.
- Weekly office hours Monday-Friday with some evening or weekend events.
- Weekly/monthly meetings with SAALT, Cabinet, and other committees.
- Regular supervisory meetings with VPSAAS.
- Represent AU and OCM at Brethren General Conference each summer.
- Lead at least one university-wide trip or experience each year (Civil Rights Pilgrimage, domestic and/or international mission trips).
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Ministry or related field.
- Four (4) years of impactful, leadership experience supervising others.
- Administration, communication (written and verbal), budget management, networking, outgoing personality, self-starter.
- A clear and abiding Christian faith as evidenced by a brief testimony or statement of faith included in the candidate’s application cover letter.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ordained minister preferred.
- Doctorate in Ministry or related field preferred.
- Five plus (5 ) years in pastoral ministry, youth ministry, campus ministry, higher education preferred. Development/fundraising experience preferred.
- Record of success in program development.
- Domestic and international mission trip experience.
Physical Demands
- Must be able to lift 25 pounds
- Climb flights of stairs
- Stand for long periods of time (1-2 hours)
Anticipated Start Date of New Hire
06/01/2025
Anticipated Number of Hours Working per Week
40
Shift Required?
First
Job Duties
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
S956P
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
06/01/2025
Job Open Date
04/29/2025
Job Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
