Director of Mentoring -- Pathways to Pastoral Longevity

Overview:
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is a multidenominational, evangelical graduate school committed to equipping Christian leaders to think theologically, engage globally, and live biblically. With nearly 1,400 students across campuses in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida, and online, Gordon-Conwell’s student body represents more than eighty-five denominations and fifty countries. The seminary offers master’s and doctoral programs—delivered in English, Spanish, and Portuguese—that combine academic excellence, spiritual formation, and a deep commitment to Scripture. Its 12,000 alumni serve Christ through ministry in the church, the academy, and the workplace. Gordon-Conwell is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, the New England Commission of Higher Education, and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

Position Summary:
Under the supervision and direction of the Director of Christian Formation, the Pathways Director of Mentoring guides and directs the formative mentoring program for students preparing for pastoral ministry, especially in Networked education. The Director will have a proven track record of ministry leadership and pastoral experience in order to facilitate environments and experiences that nurture and strengthen mentors and students in their spiritual life and ministries. The Director will design and launch processes and environments that select and train mentors, successfully pair mentors and students, and ensure program alignment with Gordon-Conwell’s five areas of Christian formation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervision and Implementation of Pathways mentoring environments: Foster the mission and achieve the goals of the Pathways program in accordance with the Lilly grant and the seminary’s broader formative vision and goals. Manage the mentoring budget in accordance with the seminary’s policies, the Director of Christian Formation’s guidelines, and the requirements of the grant. Submit timely reports to the Director of Christian Formation for submission to the Lilly Endowment.
• Relationship Building: Initiate and develop relationships with a broad spectrum of alumni and students. Work collegially with the faculty and staff who focus on student formation.
• Program Development, Management, and Assessment:

o Collaborate with the Director of Christian Formation on the creation of curriculum for the mentoring program centered around pastoral longevity and GCTS’s five formative areas. Direct implementation of the program.
o Work with the Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and the Director of Thriving in Ministry to identify mentors among Gordon-Conwell’s international alumni network.
o Develop and manage processes for vetting and equipping mentors, including the reception and review of applications, assessment of effectiveness, and celebration and affirmation of mentors.
o In conjunction with the Director of Christian Formation, the Senior Director of Alumni Engagement, and relevant staff, assist with the selection of technology for mentor/student pairing. Oversee the implementation of the technology’s use for the mentoring program.
o Regularly assess mentoring environments, including the design, re-design, and development of new environments to address and reinforce the GCTS five areas of Christian formation.

• Recruiting and Mentoring the Mentors: Recruit, train, and nurture the alumni mentors. This requires a combination of outreach, facilitation, coaching, and encouragement.
• Event Planning, Coordination, and Facilitation: Working in conjunction with the Pathways Program Administrator and relevant Networked Education staff, oversee event planning, marketing, and facilitation of mentor training, student/mentor retreats, and special educational and enrichment programs.
• General Promotion of Mentoring Environments: Collaborate with the Pathways Program, Director of Christian Formation Administrator, members of the Christian Formation team, the Alumni office, and the Marketing and Communications office for general promotion of all facets of the mentoring environments. Communicate with alumni pastors and current students to screen and recruit interested participants.
• Other work in collaboration with the Director of Christian Formation as requested.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in a relevant area required, Doctorate preferred; Gordon-Conwell degree or experience in working with the seminary preferred.
• 5+ years serving in a pastoral role required, 7-10+ years preferred; experience working in a seminary or other higher education arena preferred.
• Substantive experience with program development, implementation, management, and assessment required.

Application Process:
Please apply through Gordon-Conwell’s Career Center available here: https://www.gordonconwell.edu/employment/

Please include these documents in either Microsoft Word or PDF formats:

• A cover letter addressed to Dr. Gwenfair Walters Adams, Director of Christian Formation, explaining your interest in the position preferred.
• A formal CV that includes the names of at least three references required.

No hard copy materials, please. Opportunities to interview will be made available at the search committee’s initiative. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.