Remote New

Program Director

Loyola University Chicago

remote work

United States

Jan 06, 2026

Position Details

Job Title	PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Position Number	8102859
Work Modality	Fully Remote Work
Job Category	University Staff
Job Type	Full-Time
FLSA Status	Exempt
Campus	Off-Campus/Remote
Department Name	INSTITUTE FOR PASTORAL STUDIES
Location Code	INSTITUTE OF PASTORAL STUDIES (03200A)
Is this split and/or fully grant funded?	Yes
Duties and Responsibilities	Program Director Catholic Education Network to Enact and Resource Synodality ( CENTERS) Loyola University Chicago, Institute of Pastoral Studies Position Type: Full-time, Grant-funded (5 years) Reports to: Dean, Institute of Pastoral Studies Location: Chicago, IL with national travel required About CENTERS The Catholic Education Network to Enact and Resource Synodality ( CENTERS) is a $10 million Lilly Endowment-funded initiative housed at Loyola University Chicago's Institute of Pastoral Studies. CENTERS is a collaborative network of 16 Catholic colleges and universities across the United States working to implement synodality-the Church's official mode of proceeding emphasizing shared discernment, participation, and co-responsibility among all the baptized. This transformative initiative responds to Pope Francis's global call for ecclesial renewal and Pope Leo XIV's continued emphasis on unity and Catholic social teaching. Position Summary Loyola University Chicago seeks a dynamic and efficient leader to serve as national director of the grant-funded Catholic Education Network to Enact and Resource Synodality (CENTERS). Growing out of engagement with the 2021-2024 Synod on Synodality, the sixteen-university network housed at Loyola University Chicago's Institute of Pastoral Studies seeks to cultivate synodal leadership across Catholic Higher Education nationally, in close conversation with local dioceses and international partners, including the Holy See. Housed at the Institute of Pastoral Studies, the Director serves as the executive officer for the CENTERS Initiative, ensuring that collaborative projects, fellowships, convenings, communications, evaluation, and budgeting proceed on schedule, and reflect synodal principles . Other responsibilities include developing and aligning with the consensus of the Steering and Leadership Committees, liaising with Lilly Endowment, overseeing day-to-day operations, coordinating the inter-institutional network, and driving strategic planning and implementation for all grant-supported activities. The ideal candidate will have a graduate degree in theology, leadership, or a related field (ideally a terminal degree). S/He will have demonstrated organizational and administrative expertise, along with a fluency in the contours of policy, strategic vision, mission/identity, and organizational management in both church and university contexts. A familiarity with the methods of synodality and community organizing is desired, but not strictly necessary. S/He will work closely with the grant PI's to envision, coordinate, implement, and report on various elements of a larger project with various local, regional, and national initiatives. A willingness to contribute collaboratively within a team dynamic and an ongoing commitment to pastoral formation in educational settings are essential and compulsory. The Director also teaches one graduate course each academic year that advances theological and pastoral understandings of and engagement with synodality. Key Responsibilities Program Leadership & Governance Serve as executive officer for the CENTERS Initiative, translating committee decisions into actionable plans Chair (or co-chair) Leadership Committee meetings when rotating into that role and prepare materials for all Steering Committee sessions Maintain and grow productive relationships with Core Partners, Network Participants, Regional Tables, Advisory Council, bishops, and external collaborators Ensure program alignment with Vatican implementation timeline (2026-28) and synodal methods and virtues Project & Grant Management Develop and manage annual work plans, grant timelines; monitor deliverables across multiple workstreams Oversee sub-grants to partner schools, ensuring compliance with Lilly Endowment guidelines and Loyola's sponsored-program policies Coordinate national convenings, advise and support core partners for regional gatherings and other activities; assist as needed with the Synodal Adsumus Fellowship program Serve as primary liaison with Lilly Endowment at all stages to ensure compliance and mission alignment Coach Network Participant liaisons in synodal leadership and movement building Evaluation & Learning Partner with external evaluators to design and implement the performance-indicator framework; steward data collection and continuous-improvement cycles Translate findings into actionable insights for committees, funders, and public audiences and scholarly audiences Implement standardized evaluation rubrics for pilot projects and regional activities Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Supervise contracted communication consultants; produce reports, web content, and thought-leadership pieces that amplify project impact Serve as primary spokesperson to Lilly Endowment, media, and ecclesial networks Coordinate dissemination of best practices and pilot project outcomes Represent CENTERS at professional conferences and ecclesial gatherings Financial Oversight In collaboration with IPS finance staff, prepare the annual CENTERS budget, authorize expenditures, and forecast long-term sustainability strategies Support collaborative fundraising efforts for program sustainability beyond grant period Work with network partners on fundraising, endowment development, and long-term governance planning Team Supervision Hire, mentor, and evaluate any needed project staff, graduate assistants, and volunteers; foster a collaborative, synodal work culture Coordinate with Loyola faculty and offices (e.g., Advancement, Marketing, Sponsored Programs) to embed CENTERS within university systems and leverage additional resources Teaching & Academic Integration Design and teach one graduate-level course per year that advances students' understanding of synodality and connects directly to CENTERS programming Mentor students involved in CENTERS research and fellowship activities Support integration of synodal principles into broader IPS curriculum and formation programs Additional Responsibilities Perform other activities as assigned to advance the CENTERS mission Travel frequently to network institutions, regional gatherings, and national conferences (approximately 25-30% of time) Required Qualifications Knowledge and Expertise Deep understanding of Catholic ecclesiology, particularly synodal theology and Vatican II Knowledge of Catholic social teaching and its applications in institutional contexts Familiarity with contemporary challenges in Catholic theological education and ministry formation Understanding of participatory pedagogies and adult learning principles Awareness of global Catholic Church developments and papal teaching Skills and Competencies Exceptional organizational and project management abilities, including experience with workplan development, timeline management, and risk assessment Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to serve as spokesperson to diverse audiences Proven ability to facilitate collaborative decision-making processes and translate committee decisions into actionable plans Experience with meeting planning, event coordination, and logistics management Proficiency in digital collaboration tools, database management, and budget oversight Ability to supervise staff and foster collaborative, synodal work culture Experience with external evaluation processes and data-driven continuous improvement Ability to travel frequently (approximately 25-30% of time) Intercultural competency and sensitivity to diverse ecclesial contexts Personal Attributes Commitment to synodal values of dialogue, participation, and co-responsibility Collaborative leadership style aligned with participatory ecclesiology Spiritual maturity and understanding of contemplative dimensions of leadership Flexibility and adaptability in dynamic, emerging organizational contexts Cultural sensitivity and ability to work across diverse Catholic institutions Preferred Qualifications Previous experience with Lilly Endowment grants or similar large-scale ecclesial initiatives Background in Catholic community organizing or grassroots ecclesial movements Experience with Vatican offices or international Catholic organizations Demonstrated experience in fundraising and development activities Graduate-level teaching experience in Catholic theological education Fluency in Spanish or other languages relevant to U.S. Catholic diversity Published scholarship or presentations in areas related to synodality, ecclesiology, or theological education Network of relationships within Catholic higher education or diocesan leadership Experience with external evaluation and assessment processes
Minimum Education and/or Work Experience	Master's degree in Theology, Pastoral Studies, Ministry, or related field; Doctorate preferred Minimum 7-10 years of experience in Catholic higher education, theological education, or ecclesial leadership Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-institutional collaborative projects Proven track record in grant administration and program management, preferably with Lilly Endowment or similar large-scale initiatives Experience with Catholic Church structures, governance, and contemporary ecclesial movements Teaching experience at the graduate level preferred
Qualifications	Previous experience with Lilly Endowment grants or similar large-scale ecclesial initiatives Background in Catholic community organizing or grassroots ecclesial movements Experience with Vatican offices or international Catholic organizations Demonstrated experience in fundraising and development activities Graduate-level teaching experience in Catholic theological education Fluency in Spanish or other languages relevant to U.S. Catholic diversity Published scholarship or presentations in areas related to synodality, ecclesiology, or theological education Network of relationships within Catholic higher education or diocesan leadership Experience with external evaluation and assessment processes
Certificates/Credentials/Licenses	Previous experience with Lilly Endowment grants or similar large-scale ecclesial initiatives Background in Catholic community organizing or grassroots ecclesial movements Experience with Vatican offices or international Catholic organizations Demonstrated experience in fundraising and development activities Graduate-level teaching experience in Catholic theological education Fluency in Spanish or other languages relevant to U.S. Catholic diversity Published scholarship or presentations in areas related to synodality, ecclesiology, or theological education Network of relationships within Catholic higher education or diocesan leadership Experience with external evaluation and assessment processes
Computer Skills	Proficiency in digital collaboration tools, database management, and budget oversight
Supervisory Responsibilities	No
Required operation of university owned vehicles	No
Does this position require direct animal or patient contact?	No
Physical Demands	None
Working Conditions	None
Open Date	01/05/2026
Close Date
Position Maximum Salary or Hourly Rate	$70,000/ann
Position Minimum Salary or Hourly Rate	$60,000/ann
Special Instructions to Applicants	As a Jesuit, Catholic institution of higher education, we seek candidates who will contribute to our strategic plan to deliver a Transformative Education in the Jesuit tradition. To learn more about Loyola University Chicago's mission, candidates should consult our website at www.luc.edu/mission/. For information about the university's focus on transformative education, they should consult our website at www.luc.edu/transformativeed.
About Loyola University Chicago	Founded in 1870, Loyola University Chicago is one of the nation's largest Jesuit, Catholic universities, recognized for its academic excellence, commitment to community engagement, and leadership in sustainability. A Carnegie R1 research institution, Loyola leverages its status as one of an elite group of universities with the highest level of research activity to advance knowledge that serves communities and creates global impact. With 15 schools, colleges, and institutes-including Business, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences-Loyola operates three primary campuses in the greater Chicago area and one in Rome, Italy, that provide students a transformative, globally connected learning experience. Consistently ranked among the nation's top universities by U.S. News & World Report, Loyola is a STARS Gold-rated institution that is ranked as one of the country's most sustainable campuses by The Princeton Review and has earned distinctions from AmeriCorps and the Carnegie Foundation for its longstanding record of service and community engagement. Guided by its Jesuit mission and commitment to caring for the whole person, Loyola educates ethical leaders who think critically, act with purpose, and strive to create a more just and sustainable world. Loyola University Chicago strives to be an employer of choice by offering its staff and faculty a wide array of affordable, comprehensive, and competitive benefits. To view our benefits in detail, click here. Loyola adheres to all applicable federal, state, and/or local civil rights laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in private institutions of higher education. Please see the University's Nondiscrimination Policy.
Quick Link for Posting	https://www.careers.luc.edu/postings/34421