Internship and Residency Director

Willow Creek Community Church•South Barrington, IL

15h•$66,000 - $90,000

About The Position

At Willow, we believe the local church should be led by courageous, humble, and Spirit-led leaders—and we’re passionate about raising up the next generation to step into that calling. The reality is, fewer young people are pursuing vocational ministry. But we’re not discouraged—we’re energized. We’re building a leadership pipeline that equips and releases Kingdom leaders who will help the Church flourish and advance the mission of Jesus. That’s where you come in. Why This Role Matters As our Internship & Residency Director , you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping future ministry leaders. You won’t just run a program—you’ll disciple, develop, and champion people as they discern their calling and grow into who God has created them to be. You’ll lead both our summer internship program (10–12 weeks) and our 1–2 year residency , creating meaningful, immersive experiences that blend real ministry, intentional development, and spiritual formation. If you’re someone who loves investing in people, building systems that multiply impact, and casting vision that others rally around—you’ll thrive here.

Requirements

You’re not just organized—you’re intentional.
You don’t just manage—you multiply.
A developer at heart who loves helping others grow
A vision caster who can rally people around a compelling future
A strategic thinker who can build and improve systems
A relationship builder who connects easily with a wide range of people
A team builder who equips others to lead well
Strong communication and organizational skills
Experience leading people or programs (ministry context preferred)

Nice To Haves

A background in internships, residencies, or leadership development (a plus)
Experience in a large, multi-site church (helpful, not required)

Responsibilities

Lead & Cast Vision Champion a church-wide vision for developing the next generation of leaders Inspire staff and volunteers to invest in interns and residents
Design Transformational Experiences Build and lead a cohesive program that integrates ministry experience, coaching, leadership development, and theological training Create environments that shape both character and capability
Recruit & Develop Talent Attract, select, and place high-potential interns and residents Equip and support staff coaches to mentor effectively
Shepherd the Full Journey Guide participants from application through completion Provide feedback, evaluation, and clear next steps for growth Provide pastoral care and perform pastoral duties if needed
Build Partnerships & Systems Develop relationships with key educational partners Create and refine systems to track growth and continuously improve the program