Director of the Mark Craig Leadership Network

HIGHLAND PARK METHODIST CHURCH•Highland Park, TX

14h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of the Mark Craig Leadership Network (MCLN) provides visionary leadership for Highland Park United Methodist Church's efforts to identify, develop, equip, and deploy Christian leaders who will strengthen the Church, bless the city, and influence the world for Christ. Inspired by the vision of Project Mockingbird and the leadership legacy of former Senior Minister Mark Craig, this position creates and leads a comprehensive leadership development ecosystem that cultivates leadership excellence among HPUMC staff, lay leaders, ministry volunteers, young professionals, and emerging pastors. The Director serves as a catalyst for leadership growth by designing programs, fostering strategic partnerships, coaching leaders, recruiting and empowering a lay team to assist with oversight and implementation of programming, and building pathways that advance HPUMC's mission of developing deeply devoted followers of Jesus Christ. The Mark Craig Leadership Network fulfills this mission through three signature initiatives: Pastoral Leadership Residency, Christian Leadership Initiative, and Working Faith Speaker Series. Through these initiatives, the Director will help position HPUMC as a leading center for Christian leader formation, development, and influence in Dallas and beyond.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required
Minimum of 7–10 years of demonstrated leadership experience in ministry, nonprofit leadership, organizational development, higher education, business leadership, or executive leadership.
Experience developing leaders, building programs, coaching individuals, and managing strategic initiatives.
Proven ability to cultivate relationships with both ministry and marketplace leaders.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, teaching, facilitation, public speaking, and organizational skills.
Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
Passion for leadership development and Christian formation.
Strong alignment with the mission, theology, and values of HPUMC.
Strategic thinker with strong organizational and project management abilities.
Ability to recruit, inspire, and mobilize leaders across diverse contexts.
Strong relational intelligence and networking skills.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with both staff and volunteer leaders.
Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build new initiatives from vision to execution.
Microsoft Office Suite
G Suite (Google, Gmail, Calendar, etc…)
Touch Point or similar database knowledge/experience
Zoom/GoogleMeet/Virtual Meeting Applications
Social Media
Must be a committed Christian who is comfortable working in a United Methodist church environment.
Employees are called to lead a life that becomes the gospel, and we expect them to exhibit appropriate demeanor on and off the job.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Seminary degree, leadership degree, business degree, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive vision and strategic plan for the Mark Craig Leadership Network.
Lead a team of laity that will assist in the development and implementation of MCLN initiatives.
Establish measurable goals and outcomes that align with HPUMC's mission, strategic priorities, and Project Mockingbird vision.
Identify opportunities to expand leadership development beyond the local church into the broader community and marketplace.
Create a sustainable model for recruiting, developing, and deploying Christian leaders.
Facilitate mentoring relationships between established and emerging leaders.
Encourage spiritual, personal, and professional growth through intentional leadership development experiences.
Support leaders in aligning leadership practices with Christian values and biblical principles.
Oversee planning, budgeting, implementation, and evaluation of all Mark Craig Leadership Network initiatives.
Develop annual goals, strategic priorities, and success metrics.
Build and maintain relationships with ministry partners, educational institutions, community organizations, and influential leaders.
Recruit and steward speakers, mentors, facilitators, coaches, and volunteers.
Manage program communications, participant engagement, and alumni relationships.
Ensure excellence in program execution and participant experience.
Develop, launch, and oversee the residency program.
Recruit and select high-capacity pastoral residents.
Coordinate ministry placements and developmental experiences.
Facilitate coaching, mentoring, and spiritual formation opportunities.
Build partnerships with seminaries and church networks.
Develop systems to evaluate residents' growth and readiness for ministry placement.
Maintain relationships with alumni and receiving churches.
Develop and oversee curriculum, facilitator training, and participant recruitment.
Recruit accomplished Christian leaders to serve as mentors and speakers.
Build strategic partnerships within the business, nonprofit, and civic communities.
Facilitate cohort-based learning and leadership development experiences.
Create pathways for alumni engagement and continued growth.
Expand the initiative's influence beyond Dallas.
Develop and execute an annual speaker series strategy.
Recruit nationally recognized speakers and thought leaders.
Build partnerships with business, ministry, and civic organizations.
Oversee event planning, promotion, sponsorships, and participant engagement.
Create opportunities for ongoing learning and discussion following each event.
Position HPUMC as a trusted convener of leadership conversations that integrate faith and vocation.