Program Director

Servant • Marion, IN

23d • Onsite

About The Position

The Program Director of VIA Journeys is responsible for launching, piloting, and operationalizing VIA Journeys as a flagship initiative within the Strategic Innovations (SI) unit. This role exists to ensure that strategy becomes reality. The Program Director brings entrepreneurial leadership, technical fluency, and execution discipline to move VIA Journeys from concept to functioning pilots, platforms, and participant experiences. The Program Director is empowered by the Executive Director of SI to focus fully on delivery, experimentation, and learning, while operating within clear strategic guardrails.

Requirements

• Master's degree or other advanced degree strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of demonstrated experience launching, scaling, and leading programs, products, platforms, or strategic initiatives from concept through execution.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, build from zero to launch, and drive measurable outcomes.
• Exceptional project and program management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience managing and influencing diverse stakeholders, including approximately 30 external partners, while building strong, collaborative relationships.
• Strong technical fluency, with the ability to work effectively alongside developers, digital platforms, data systems, and AI-enabled technologies. Experience leading technology initiatives in partnership with technical experts is required.
• Entrepreneurial, startup, or innovation-focused experience, with a demonstrated ability to build and scale new initiatives.
• Experience working within ministry organizations, churches, or higher education environments is required; experience spanning both sectors is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across executive leadership, external partners, and cross-functional teams to execute strategic priorities.
• Strong alignment with the organization's Christian mission, including agreement with the Statement of Faith and Community Life expectations.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with digital learning platforms, SaaS business models, AI integrations, or ecosystem-based initiatives is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end launch of VIA Journeys, including pilots, operational workflows, and participant experiences
• Translate strategic direction into executable plans, timelines, milestones, and deliverables
• Ensure VIA Journeys progresses from idea to active implementation with momentum and clarity
• Operate with an entrepreneurial mindset—testing assumptions, learning rapidly, and iterating responsibly
• Design and manage pilots that validate participant value, operational feasibility, and program design
• Build repeatable processes that support early scaling while preserving quality and trust
• Serve as the primary program lead coordinating technical and platform-related work
• Partner with internal and external technical teams to translate program needs into platform requirements
• Support integration with Lantern and other Seminary systems, ensuring usability, reliability, and data integrity
• Coordinate pilot partners, churches, advisors, and ministry leaders
• Build feedback loops with pastors and participants to inform continuous improvement
• Ensure participant experience reflects pastoral sensitivity and theological integrity
• Define and track operational, learning, and pilot metrics
• Provide clear updates, dashboards, and insights to the Executive Director and Seminary leadership
• Ensure lessons learned inform future decisions and phases
• Supervises any part-time or full-time personnel assigned to the VIA Journeys initiative

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior