Director of the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Director of the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development (CSED) at Penn State provides visionary leadership for one of the largest and most comprehensive centers of its kind in the country. The CSED serves over 60 religious and/or spiritual communities and fosters a diverse multi-faith learning environment that supports the academic, emotional, social, spiritual, and ethical development of students. This role is designed for a dynamic and experienced leader committed to promoting inclusion, spiritual wellness, ethical reflection, and community building for a diverse student population-encompassing religious, spiritual, and secular identities.

The Director oversees all aspects of the Center, including program development, staff supervision, budget management, and facility operations. The position requires building strategic partnerships within and outside the University community to enhance student success, foster interfaith dialogue, and support the development of both religious and secular communities on campus.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Strategic Vision:

• Provide overall direction and leadership for the CSED, ensuring it meets the diverse academic, social, emotional, spiritual, and ethical needs of students and staff from religious, spiritual, and secular backgrounds.

• Support unit staff in developing and implementing inclusive programs that foster spiritual growth, ethical reflection, and personal development for students, while respecting their varied belief systems, including secular worldviews.

• Foster collaborations across the university, including with Student Affairs, student organizations, academic departments and centers, faculty, and staff to integrate spiritual and ethical development into the broader university experience.

• Serve as a subject matter expert in world religions, spiritual practices, and ethical issues, offering guidance and support to students, faculty, and staff from both religious and secular perspectives.

Budget and Facility Oversight:

• Manage the Center's budget, overseeing endowments, revenues from events (such as weddings), and other funding sources. Ensure resources are allocated efficiently to meet program and facility needs.

• Prepare grant proposals and explore new funding opportunities to further support the Center's activities and initiatives for diverse student populations.

• Oversee the physical 62,000 sq. ft. facility, ensuring that it remains a safe, welcoming, and functional space for worship, ethical reflection, events, and student activities from all religious, spiritual, and secular backgrounds.

• Budget for the upkeep and replacement of equipment, furniture, and necessary facility needs, while ensuring compliance with university policies.

Staff Supervision and Team Development:

• Hire, train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate professional, and student staff, ensuring a collaborative and inclusive environment that respects the diversity of spiritual, religious, and secular identities.

• Set clear expectations and goals for professional and affiliate staff, holding them accountable for their contributions to the Center's mission and fostering a supportive environment for all.

• Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for staff to promote ethical, inclusive, and culturally competent practices across a range of religious and secular worldviews.

• Support the work of 60+ student organizations/communities, alongside their affiliate staff members, ensuring they are well-supported in serving the spiritual, ethical, and secular needs of the university community.

Problem-Solving and Advocacy:

• Address complex challenges related to religious and spiritual literacy, secular identities, and global events, providing solutions that promote understanding and inclusion across these differences.

• Advise and educate faculty, staff, and students on religious, spiritual, and secular practices, navigating conflicts and resolving issues related to identity and shared spaces.

• Provide advocacy and support for students navigating challenges related to their religious, spiritual, or secular identity within the university context.

Collaboration and External Relations:

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Center and other university units, including student-facing offices, student organizations, academic departments and centers, faculty, and staff, across all Penn State campuses, to strengthen the impact of CSED's work for both religious and secular communities.

• Cultivate partnerships with faith-based, ethical, and secular organizations, community leaders, and other stakeholders to promote the mission of the Center both on and off-campus.

• Represent the Center in external engagements and foster connections that enhance the visibility and influence of CSED in local, state, and national contexts.

Program Development, Assessment, and Community Engagement:

• Support direct line staff in leading the design, implementation, and assessment of a broad range of programs and services that engage students in spiritual, ethical, and interfaith dialogue, while recognizing and supporting secular perspectives.

• Develop strategies for community outreach, ensuring that the Center's programs meet the needs of students from religious, spiritual, and secular communities across Penn State campuses.

• Utilize data and feedback to evaluate Center and program effectiveness and make necessary adjustments to enhance student engagement and success across all communities.

• Advocate for and support students from marginalized spiritual, religious, and secular communities, ensuring they have the resources and support they need to thrive at Penn State.

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Expertise in the dynamics of world religions, spiritual practices, ethical issues, and secular worldviews within a higher education setting.

• Strong commitment to inclusion, with the ability to address the unique needs of students, staff, and faculty from religious, spiritual, and secular backgrounds.

• Proven experience in program development, implementation, and assessment, particularly in student affairs or related areas.

• Ability to lead and manage a diverse team, with extensive experience in budgeting, financial oversight, and facility management. Experience with endowment management is particularly important.

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with the ability to foster collaboration across university units and with external partners.

Education and Experience:

• A master's degree plus 10 years of relevant experience, including 3 plus years of supervisory experience is required.

• A master's degree in higher education, theology, religious studies, counseling, social work, or a related field, with at least 10 years of related experience in student affairs, religious/spiritual programming, or a similar role is preferred.

• A minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience, with a proven track record of managing staff, facilities, and complex programs is preferred.

• Experience in budgeting, financial management, and resource development within a university or nonprofit setting is preferred.

Clearances: This position requires the following clearances: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume for full consideration. Application reviews will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Benefits for full-time employees at Penn State include (visit https://hr.psu.edu/benefits for more detailed information):

• Medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans

• Tuition discounts (including for a spouse and dependent children up to the age of 26)

• Generous vacation time and sick time

• 14 paid holidays/campus closure days

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belongingthat supports both broad and specific equity initiatives, leverages theeducational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of thecommunity thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and anessential element of the university's teaching, research, and servicemission.

More information on the community of State College and its many amenities can be found here: https://happyvalley.com.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: