Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life

Wellesley College • Wellesley, MA

23d • $110,000 - $140,000

About The Position

Wellesley College has partnered with Spelman Johnson for the recruitment of this role. We invite interested candidates to review the comprehensive job details here and submit your application directly on the Spelman Johnson website. Over the past several decades, Wellesley College (the College,) has built a national profile in multifaith work through its office of religious and spiritual life (ORSL). Wellesley now seeks a visionary leader who possesses the skills and personal qualities to build on the program’s strong foundation, expand its multifaith mission, and further broaden and deepen students’ connections between intellectual life, religious and spiritual life, and wellness within their residential campus community and beyond. The next dean will build connections throughout Wellesley’s diverse campus community and must possess the character and charisma to be an influential voice among students, faculty, and staff. Reporting to the vice president and dean of students, Sheilah Shaw Horton, the dean of religious and spiritual life will continue Wellesley’s tradition of innovation in, and commitment to, religious and spiritual life in an increasingly diverse context. The dean will support and advise the College’s recognized religious student groups and will oversee major campus-wide traditional programs such as Flower Sunday and Baccalaureate. The religious and spiritual life team comprises a staff of three full-time and two part-time College chaplains, who represent a variety of traditions including Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Unitarian Universalist. The dean will lead the religious and spiritual life team of chaplains as a collective, as well as supervise and mentor them individually. Together with the dean and office manager, the team fosters religious, spiritual, and ethical life at Wellesley. They offer opportunities for contemplative practice, meaning-making, spiritual seeking, and personal wellness, rooted in both religious and non-religious wisdom traditions, as well as multifaith collaboration. Through their collective work, the office exemplifies a new approach to working towards common goals while respecting and celebrating differences and diversity. The ORSL team partners with faculty, staff and students to offer a confidential space for all students to explore their concerns as they grow through the challenges of living and thriving in a diverse community.

Requirements

• An accredited M.Div. or equivalent academic credentials and training in religious leadership, ordination (when possible), and extensive experience, ideally in a college or university setting, are required.
• Highest academic credentials preferred.
• The successful candidate must possess pastoral skills, theological depth, intellectual acumen, knowledge of student affairs, and have demonstrated leadership within a particular religious tradition.
• The dean must possess a broad understanding of the world’s spiritual traditions, be experienced in other cultures and religious traditions, and be able to apply that understanding in Wellesley’s diverse environment and tradition of educating women.
• Strong administrative and team management skills.
• Excellent public speaking and oratory skills.
• A deep understanding of the educational value of a diverse university community.
• Demonstrated track record of advancing equity and enhancing inclusiveness.
• Ability to lead with equanimity, discretion, and a sense of responsibility.
• An academic grounding in the study of religious and spiritual belief systems and an intellectual presence to most effectively partner with faculty, staff, and students across a university setting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the administration of the office of residential and spiritual life, including the management of the Houghton Chapel and the Multifaith Center.
• Provide direct oversight of the office of religious and spiritual life, including supervising and mentoring staff members, budget oversight, and space management.
• Preside over some of the major community rituals at the College, including convocation, Commencement, and Reunion services and take responsibility for planning and implementing Flower Sunday, and baccalaureate.
• Demonstrate leadership as an impactful intellectual, moral, and ethical voice for the College.
• Offer counsel to faculty and staff in their own efforts to support students from all faith backgrounds in and out of the classroom.
• Provide support, counsel, and guidance to individuals and groups, and serve as a resource for family and extended members of the Wellesley community during times of grief.
• Foster greater understanding across lines of difference through education, programming, and opportunities for deeper engagement in co-curricular settings.
• Serve as the College’s liaison with off-campus religious communities and with organizations in higher education related to religious and spiritual life.
• Provide vision and identify opportunities to connect to the College’s commitments and ambitions around inclusive excellence and holistic student health and wellness.
• Engage and collaborate with faculty, staff, and students, and respond effectively to their needs and concerns.
• Communicate broadly across campus to cultivate and sustain critical partnerships and relationships.
• Build unity around difficult and complex issues through effective listening, facilitating, and mediating.
• Advance equity and inclusiveness through the goals and mission of ORSL.
• Support the campus and student life team through developed programs such as retreats, service trips, and residential programming designed to create opportunities for reflection and self-awareness.
• Serve as a member of the vice president and dean of students’ leadership team advising on divisional projects and approach to complex problems.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation
• Exceptional Benefits Package: Access a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision and pre-tax saving benefits, life insurance, disability coverage, and more to safeguard your health and that of your loved ones.
• Commuting and Transportation: Enjoy the convenience of free parking on our picturesque campus, easily accessible from major roadways. We are also accessible via the MBTA commuter rail.
• Paid Time Off: Take advantage of paid vacations, personal days, sick time, and holidays to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life harmony.
• Retirement Savings: Plan for the future with our retirement savings plan. Wellesley College contributes up to 10.5% towards your 403(b) plan for eligible employees
• Work/Life and Wellness: A hybrid work environment for select positions (additional details will be provided during the interview process), caregiving support through Wellthy, legal plan insurance, pet insurance discount and a variety of other resources including retirement planning, and access to cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
• Professional Development: Enhance your skills and explore growth opportunities through continuing training and pathways for growth within our supportive environment.
• Tuition and Education Benefits: Invest in your education with tuition benefits, and access resources to navigate student loan forgiveness, reinforcing our commitment to your ongoing learning.
• Campus Privileges: Enjoy free use of our state-of-the-art athletic and fitness facilities with onsite fitness classes, Library resources, and seize opportunities to attend diverse campus events that contribute to a vibrant community.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees