Associate Director of Institutional Relations

Associate Director of Institutional Relations

Department: The Center for the Arc of Ministry

Reports To: Executive Director, The Center for the Arc of Ministry

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Institutional Relations serves as the primary liaison between The Center for the Arc of Ministry and educational institutions, including Christian high schools, colleges, universities, campus ministries, and other strategic educational partners. This position develops and maintains collaborative relationships that create pathways for vocational discernment, leadership formation, theological education, and ministry preparation.

Working closely with institutional leaders, faculty, chaplains, and campus ministry staff, the Associate Director advances the Seminary's mission by cultivating a sustainable pipeline of future church leaders while expanding awareness of The Center for the Arc of Ministry and its programs. This role supports the Center's strategic goals of connecting students with Christian vocation, theological education, congregational engagement, and lifelong ministry.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Institutional Partnership Development
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with Christian high schools, colleges, universities, and educational organizations.
• Serve as the Center’s primary representative to partner institutions.
• Identify and cultivate new institutional partnerships that support the Arc of Ministry initiative.
• Establish Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and partnership agreements when appropriate.
• Strengthen relationships with faculty, administrators, chaplains, counselors, and campus ministry leaders.

Vocational Discernment and Leadership Development

• Collaborate with partner institutions to provide vocational discernment programming for students.
• Coordinate workshops, retreats, presentations, and educational events focused on Christian vocation and leadership. Develop pathways that introduce students to theological education and ministry opportunities. 
• Connect students with Seminary faculty, alumni, pastors, and ministry mentors.
• Support initiatives that encourage students to explore diverse forms of ministry, chaplaincy, theological education, ethical professional deportment, and Christian leadership.

Program Development

• Collaborate with Seminary departments to coordinate institutional engagement activities.
• Assist in developing educational resources and programming aligned with the Arc of Ministry.
• Coordinate campus visits, immersion experiences, and Seminary preview events.
• Support the implementation of mentoring and internship opportunities.

Relationship Management

• Maintain regular communication with institutional partners.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for educational partners participating in the Center.
• Evaluate partnership effectiveness and identify opportunities for growth.
• Respond to partner needs while ensuring alignment with Seminary priorities.

Assessment and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of institutional partnerships and engagement activities.
• Track participation, recruitment, and partnership outcomes.
• Prepare reports supporting grant compliance, institutional assessment, and strategic planning.
• Collect success stories and impact data for donor stewardship and grant reporting.

Outreach and Representation

• Represent Austin Seminary at conferences, educational meetings, denominational events, and professional associations.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to promote Center initiatives.
• Develop and implement strategies to strengthen partnerships with theological schools, denominations, church networks, and ministry organizations that align with the mission of the Arc of Ministry.
• Represent the Arc of Ministry at conferences, denominational gatherings, educational events, and networking opportunities to cultivate institutional relationships.
• Research emerging trends in theological education, congregational leadership, and ministry formation to recommend innovative partnership opportunities.
• Coordinate special projects that support institutional growth, strategic initiatives, and external engagement.
• Maintain accurate records of institutional contacts, partnership agreements, and engagement activities using designated databases and reporting systems.

Education

• Master's degree in Theology, Divinity, Higher Education Administration, Organizational Leadership, Business Administration, or a related discipline.

Experience

• Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, nonprofit leadership, church relations, institutional partnerships, admissions, advancement, external relations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience building collaborative relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience managing projects involving multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Strong experience presenting information to diverse audiences and facilitating collaborative initiatives.
• Experience working within a seminary, theological school, denomination, or faith-based nonprofit organization.
• Experience with grant-funded initiatives, partnership development, or strategic planning.
• Familiarity with CRM systems, project management software, and higher education technology platforms.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of higher education administration and institutional collaboration.
• Knowledge of church structures, denominational relationships, and theological education.
• Knowledge of nonprofit organizational practices and strategic partnerships.
• Understanding of project management principles and organizational planning.
• Familiarity with grant-funded programs and collaborative initiatives.
• Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Conflict resolution and collaborative problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams.
• Ability to learn and effectively utilize institutional software including Paycom, CRM platforms, and project management systems.
• Build trust and maintain productive relationships with diverse internal and external constituents.
• Exercise sound judgment while handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision while meeting deadlines.
• Think strategically while effectively executing day-to-day operational responsibilities.
• Work collaboratively across departments and with external organizations.

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