Program Director for Religious and Spiritual Life Initiatives – Wellness and Meaning-Making Programs – Division of Student Affairs

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

27d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Director for Religious and Spiritual Life Initiatives works under the leadership of the Director of Wellness and Meaning-Making Programs in Carnegie Mellon University’s Division of Student Affairs. The role provides vision and direction for programs and resources that help students explore religious life and faith-based opportunities and develop interfaith leadership skills. It coordinates initiatives and services supporting holistic development and the university’s commitment to personal and institutional wellness. The Program Director serves as a key university resource for religious life, connecting campus members with campus and Pittsburgh organizations representing a wide range of faith traditions. In collaboration with students, faculty, staff, and community partners, the position designs and implements educational initiatives that foster reflection, introspection, and dialogue. The department values inclusion, collaboration, cultural sensitivity, integrity, curiosity, and compassion. The role includes program design and implementation, spiritual reflection at university events, support and consultation for the Council of Religious Advisors, religious literacy and pluralism training, support for faith-based spaces and student organizations, communication and marketing, pastoral care, crisis response planning, university-wide consultation, religious accommodations, and maintaining the university’s religious observations calendar. Regular evening and weekend work may be required as needed to facilitate in-person events.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
Three to five years’ experience in coaching, pastoral care, program development and implementation, case management, higher education, and/or related fields.
Demonstrated commitment to and literacy with a pluralistic and interfaith approach to religious and spiritual life.
Experience collaborating and developing partnerships with a variety of stakeholders; higher education experience is preferred.
Demonstrated experience as a presenter and educator.
Ability to work independently and apply complex discernment and critical thinking to understand institutional, organizational, and eco-social community needs and provide appropriate support.
Exceptional energy management skills.
Demonstrated commitment to personal growth, reflection, and renewal.
A record of success and commitment to working well with and supporting a globally diverse population.
Ability to take initiative and professionally manage multiple competing priorities.
Ability to collaborate and build strategic relationships with diverse colleagues, vendors, and other stakeholders.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills, including the ability to manage conflict and maintain clear professional boundaries.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Ability to work regular evening and weekend hours as needed to facilitate in-person events.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience collaborating with and developing partnerships with diverse stakeholders in a higher education context.

Responsibilities

Partner with campus and community entities to design and implement programs centered on meaning-making and interfaith exploration, including securing speakers, marketing, budget compliance, and outcome assessment.
Serve as the university’s key resource for all faiths and offer spiritual reflections at university-wide events, including convocations, memorial services, interfaith lectures, invocations, and commencement ceremonies.
Provide spiritual and leadership support and consultation to the Council of Religious Advisors and help expand university relationships with local houses of worship, particularly those representing the diversity of the campus community.
Create training initiatives to enhance religious literacy and pluralism among students, faculty, and staff, including restorative practice work and proactive and responsive community circles.
Manage or support faith-based spaces, including prayer rooms, the Wright-Rogal Chapel, the Interfaith Room, and the Well-being Lab; collaborate with campus partners and academic officers on sacred venues and identify campus spaces for potential re-imagining.
Advise student organizations and projects focused on religion, interfaith work, or spirituality.
Create and expand communication and marketing tools that improve access to faith-based organizations and programming.
Provide individual and group pastoral support and spiritual care to students, faculty, staff, and family members during individual or community crises.
Develop pre- and post-vention spiritual-support content for emergencies and build campus-wide response plans.
Provide university-wide consultation on organizational dynamics, accommodations, assessments, procedures, and processes related to religious, spiritual, interfaith, and secular campus climate.
Work with the Provost’s Office and academic colleges to expand resources for religious observations and accommodations.
Create the university’s religious observations calendar.
Serve as a university-wide interfaith resource and refer students seeking spiritual consultation and support.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Flexible work arrangements, including one remote day when schedule permits and if desired.
Resources for training in Restorative Practices, Mental Health First Aid, and other skill-building sessions.
Time set aside each year for restorative and contemplative practices.
Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance.
Retirement savings program with employer contributions.
Tuition benefits.
Paid time off and observed holidays.
Life, accidental death, and disability insurance.
Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass.
Access to a Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs.
Fitness center access.