Fuller Theological Seminary

School of Mission and Theology

Program Director for CATS/CMR

DEPT: School of Mission and Theology

HOURS: 40 hours/week

FT/PT/TEMP: Full-time

EXEMPT STATUS: Exempt
WORK MODE: Hybrid or Remote

Description

The Program Director for CATS/CMR oversees allocated daily operations related to our English-speaking doctoral research centers - the Center for Advanced Theological Studies (CATS) and the Center for Missiological Research (CMR). The Program Director has primary responsibility for supervision of the CATS/CMR Budget and Events Coordinator. The major responsibility of the Program Director is student advising. The Program Director shares responsibilities in the recruitment and admissions of new CATS and CMR students, the formulation and oversight of program policies, the administration of CMR and CATS financial aid programs, internal and external communications, and long-range planning in partnership with the Associate Deans of the Centers.

Principal Responsibilities

Student Support and Advising 

• Partner with the Advising Office on protocols and best practices, including attending team trainings and meetings

• Facilitate registration of students according their program stage

• Supervise student progress from matriculation through graduation 

• Organize the fall registration and orientation schedule for incoming students

• Coordinate logistics, communicate with students, and serve as point person for the fall and Spring PhD intensive weeks on the Pasadena campus

• Process theses and dissertations in all phases of completion

• Oversee GRI and Visiting Scholars programs 

• Assist the Registrar’s Office in revising relevant seminary catalog sections

• Interpret relevant policies and procedures

• Maintain student records

• Obtain approvals for dissertation external readers, make contracts with the readers, and process their payment at contract completion

• Arrange the administration of language examinations, proctor exams, collect exam fees, and pay examiners at completion

• Arrange the administration of comprehensive examinations and pay the examiners at completion.

• Clear students for graduation in consultation with the Registrar’s Office

• Arrange the hooding ceremony

Committee Support

• Prepare agendas in consultation with the Associate Deans

• Advise students in their preparation of petitions as appropriate

• Research, prepare, and present reports and tallies as required by the Center Committee

• Prepare and present policy and other business proposals as appropriate

• Supply the Committee with all necessary documentation and information

• Record and prepare the minutes

• Prepare all necessary correspondence and see to the implementation of decisions

Communication

• Maintain internal communication across the programs with faculty, students, and staff

• Draft external communications, for example for marketing purposes, the website, or the alumni, as requested

Recruitment, Admissions, and Marketing

• Coordinate with Admissions on all relevant matters throughout the year

• Advise and maintain correspondence with prospective students

• Participate in recruitment webinars and on-campus events as needed

• Prepare all materials for the yearly admissions meeting

• Be proactive regarding opportunities and problems in recruitment

• Coordinate with Admissions in notifying applicants of the decisions

• Partner with Strategic Communications on  the marketing of ThM and PhD programs

• Collaborate with Admissions to provide feedback to applicants about their qualifying and transfer credit courses

Financial Aid for PhD  Students

• Manage PhD-specific opportunities for teaching and professional experience 

• Communicate opportunities for scholarships and bursaries to PhD students

• Coordinate information with Student Financial Services throughout the year as necessary

Long-range Planning

• Carry out ongoing research into other similar postgraduate programs of study

• Anticipate opportunities or problems for program health that may emerge in the larger contexts of institution, church, and society 

• Work with Associate Deans to formulate and implement vision for PHD program as assigned

Requirements

• Ph.D. required, preferably in theology or higher education

• At least 2-3 years experience in administrative, supervisory role

• Prior work experience in related areas of higher education, particularly graduate theological education

• Strong functionality with Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Google Docs, forms, and surveys

• Ability to learn necessary internal systems used for advising, student records, and administration. 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Additional Remarks: 

• Must be willing to abide by Fuller Community Standards

• Must be willing to sign Fuller's Statement of Faith

• This position is available for remote work within the United States. Subject to payroll state approval by Fuller Theological Seminary

Pay Scale

• Salary range the seminary expects to pay: $68,000 - $75,000 annually USD

Fuller Theological Seminary is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. To the extent required by law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.  As a religious institution, Fuller Theological Seminary is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees or prospective employees for certain positions on the basis of religion.

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