Project Coordinator - Seminary Extended: Strengthening Pastoral Leadership

Purpose:

Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary seeks a collaborative Project Coordinator to serve as institutional liaison for Seminary Extended, an innovative partnership between Union Presbyterian Seminary, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and Eastern Mennonite University and Seminary. Supported by the Lilly Endowment, this initiative strengthens both local church leadership and theological education sustainability through three integrated strategies: A Seminary for Every Congregation (embedded congregational leadership development), shared faculty and courses, and a joint Doctor of Ministry in Adaptive Leadership.

The Project Coordinator functions as local program director, managing substantial programming including congregational partnerships, student services, and revenue-generating certificate programs. Reporting to the seminary’s Vice President of Advancement with coordination responsibilities to the Project Director at Union Presbyterian Seminary, this role serves as a full member of the Seminary Extended leadership team while building sustainable systems for long-term institutional integration.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Local Program Management and Congregational Partnerships

  • Function as site director for Seminary Extended programming at Louisville Seminary
  • Manage recruitment and support for 5 local congregations per year in Strategy 1 partnerships, conducting monthly check-ins to track leadership development and program progress
  • Develop and deliver certificate offerings that generate revenue
  • Oversee integration of shared faculty into local curriculum and programming
  • Coordinate with local Academic Dean and Continuing Education Director on program integration

Student Services and Network Development

  • Coordinate placement and supervision of master's students serving as program assistants in congregational settings
  • Support Doctoral students engaged in congregational transformation research
  • Manage student recruitment strategies within denominational and regional networks
  • Cultivate relationships with denominational leaders, judicatory officials, and congregational networks
  • Coordinate with DMin Director on program development and student support

Institutional Integration and Sustainability

  • Build institutional support for shared faculty positions and collaborative programming
  • Create local infrastructure for ongoing collaboration beyond grant period
  • Contribute to digital platform development and ensure effective integration of online learning resources
  • Manage local budget components and coordinate with Grant Manager on financial transfers

Inter-Institutional Leadership

  • Serve as full member of Seminary Extended leadership team
  • Coordinate with other Project Coordinator to ensure consistency and shared learning
  • Contribute to evaluation activities and program refinement processes

Knowledge, Skills, and Personal Qualities:

  • Master's degree in theological studies or related field required (M.Div. preferred)
  • Minimum 3 years of leadership experience in theological education, continuing education, or congregational leadership
  • Demonstrated experience in program development and management
  • Understanding of Louisville Seminary’s theological tradition, constituencies, and denominational relationships
  • Strong project management, communication, and relationship-building skills
  • Collaborative leadership approach with multi-institutional experience preferred

Working Conditions:

  • Full-time, exempt position
  • Regular travel required for inter-institutional collaboration and congregational visits; quarterly team meetings rotating among Richmond, Charlotte, Harrisonburg, and Louisville
  • Flexible work hours for evenings and weekends as needed
  • Position funded for five years through a Lilly Endowment grant

Compensation and Benefits:

  • Salary: Competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications within higher education (salary support provided through grant partnership)
  • Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and retirement plan with employer contribution
  • Professional development support and generous paid vacation and holidays

Application Process:

Please submit a cover letter, CV or résumé, and the names of three professional references to Attn: Decora Toogood (dtoogood@lpts.edu). The cover letter should specifically address experience with program development and congregational leadership. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.