Internship and Residency Director

Willow Creek Community Church•Barrington Township, IL

23h•$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

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

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