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Assistant Director of Liturgical Music

UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND

Portland, OR

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
SKILLS
Analysis Skills, Coaching, Communication Skills, Community Programs, Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), Consulting, Cross-Functional, Customer Support/Service, Disciplinary Action, Establish Priorities, Federal Laws and Regulations, Follow Through, Higher Education, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, License Agreements, Maintain Compliance, Marketing, Material Moving, Mentoring, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Multicultural, Multilingual, Multitasking, Music, Music Composition, Music and Audio Software, Organizational Skills, Performance Management, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Requirements, Resource Management, Schedule Development, State Laws and Regulations, Student Housing, Team Player, Technical Support, Time Management, Training/Teaching, University/School Policies, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Portland, OR
POSTED
1 day ago
Position Details

Position Information

Job Title
Assistant Director of Liturgical Music

Department
Campus Ministry

Job Code
A11303

Job category
Full Time Staff

Terms and Hours
Full Time Exempt; hours of employment will fluctuate

Salary Range
Starting Salary $53,791; commensurate with experience

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Liturgical Music provides planning, leadership, and execution of the University's liturgical music program in collaboration with the Director of Campus Ministry and Campus Ministry staff. This role contributes to the artistic and pastoral mission of the institution by assisting in the preparation of music for Catholic liturgies, directing ensembles as assigned, and mentoring student musicians. A central responsibility of this position is to actively drive student engagement in campus liturgical and spiritual life by recruiting, developing, and supporting student musicians and worship leaders, and by fostering inclusive, participatory worship experiences that encourage broad student involvement. This position reports to the Director of Campus Ministry.

Based on tenure in the role and prior professional experience, the Assistant Director of Liturgical Music may have the opportunity for adjunct faculty assignments within the Performing & Fine Arts department. If approved, the teaching assignment would be considered outside of the primary staff role scope and would provide additional compensation.

Core Duties
  • Provide strategic leadership and artistic direction for the Chapel Choir program, including oversight of accompanists and instrumentalists, ensuring musical excellence and alignment with the University's Catholic identity and liturgical mission.
  • Compose, arrange, and commission liturgical music as needed, setting artistic standards for use by the Chapel Choir and Handbell Choir and delegating performance preparation as appropriate.
  • Oversee the Handbell Choir program, including supervision, coaching, and evaluation of the student director; establish performance standards, rehearsal expectations, and artistic goals. Supervisory responsibilities include hiring processes, setting of expectations, training and development, performance management, and disciplinary processes including termination of employment.
  • Lead the planning, development, and execution of liturgical music for all Sunday liturgies, Holy Days, and major University liturgies (e.g., Orientation Mass, Baccalaureate Mass, Alumni Mass), in collaboration with the Campus Minister for Liturgy and Faith Integration.
  • Direct the design, content, and production of weekly and major-event worship aids, providing final editorial and musical approval; collaborate cross-functionally with the Liturgy Team and Marketing Department to ensure consistency, quality, and timeliness.
  • Partner with the Director of Campus Ministry to design and deliver a comprehensive and formative liturgical music program for the campus community, including worship opportunities beyond the regular Mass schedule.
  • Serve as a catalyst for student engagement through music and liturgy programming, developing pathways for student involvement in chapel worship, residence hall liturgies, retreats, and special campus celebrations. This includes mentoring student leaders, encouraging participation across diverse musical traditions, and contributing to initiatives that strengthen students' sense of belonging, vocation, and spiritual formation.
  • Provide programmatic oversight of repertoire selection, ensuring theological integrity, liturgical appropriateness, and inclusion of chant, choral, bilingual, multicultural, contemporary, and classical traditions.
  • Develop and manage resources with support structures for student musicians serving residence hall chapels and Campus Ministry retreats throughout the academic year and summer sessions.
  • Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate student musicians and student employees, including choir assistants, accompanists, and student directors; provide ongoing training, coaching, and performance feedback.
  • Provide managerial responsibility for scheduling and workload distribution, including rehearsals, performances, and special liturgical events; independently adjust work priorities to meet the demands of the liturgical calendar.
  • Serve as the primary liturgical music consultant for weddings, memorial liturgies, and special sacramental celebrations, advising clergy and families on music selection and liturgical norms.
  • Manage the chapel music library and archival systems, ensuring organized, accurate, and secure maintenance of electronic and physical music files.
  • Oversee the care, maintenance, and appropriate use of musical instruments, including the chapel organ and pianos across campus; establish maintenance schedules and coordinate repairs as needed.
  • Ensure institutional compliance with copyright laws and licensing agreements, including oversight of subscriptions, permissions, and proper attribution for all printed and performed music.
Other duties as relevant to the duties of the position or as assigned by supervisor or designee.

Please note that the above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position's purview and responsibility.

Education & Experience
  • Required: Master's degree in music or sacred/liturgical music.
  • Required: Four to five years' experience with leading music for Roman Catholic liturgical celebrations with proficiency in piano, organ, voice and/or choral conducting.
  • Preferred: Experience in Higher Education, especially within Campus Ministry.
  • Or a combination of equivalent education and/or experience.
Certifications & Licenses
  • None
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Ability to arrange and compose music using composition software.
  • In depth familiarity, musical knowledge and competence with the Roman Catholic liturgy, demonstrating a deep reverence for the liturgy as prayer.
  • Active participant in Christian faith community with the knowledge or ability to learn, respect and support the mission and values of University of Portland and the traditions of Holy Cross.
  • Ability to mentor students with clarity, accountability, and care within a Campus Ministry environment.
  • Mission-driven professional with the ability to provide formative power of community within a Catholic and Holy Cross context.
  • Strong skills in analytical problem solving and ability to prioritize and manage issues and tasks.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and effectively handle highly-sensitive and personal information with sound judgment, tact, and discretion and in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.
  • Ability to consistently handle and follow through with multiple projects and assignments and meet deadlines.
  • Strong orientation towards taking ownership of projects and assignments and being proactive with projects, assignments, and process improvements.
  • Strong orientation towards continued learning and applying learning in the work setting.
  • Ability to work independently but also to constructively receive supervisory direction and work effectively in a team setting.
  • Ability to exercise good judgment.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong and effective interpersonal and customer service skills.
  • Competence with and commitment to inclusive excellence; ability to be an effective partner with diverse students, faculty, and staff.
  • Professional demeanor and ability to establish effective working relationships, professional rapport, and effectively accomplish work within a University setting that includes a wide array of individuals, groups, policies, and processes. Ability to work effectively with various constituencies including the general public, faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni, and other members of the University community.
  • Effective ability to use and learn computers, technology, software, and applications at level of sophistication required for the duties of the position, including, without limitation, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), the internet, and computerized maintenance management systems.
    • All University of Portland positions require the ability to quickly learn and use new technologies, software, and applications in depth and at level of proficiency required for duties of the position. In most situations, the necessity of learning, using, and supporting new technologies, software, and/or applications does not change a job description nor make the position one that involves higher level duties.
Physical Requirements
  • Frequently: sit, perform desk-based computer tasks; use fine manipulation and grasp; use a telephone; write by hand; sort and file paperwork.
  • Occasionally: stand and walk; twist; lift, bend and lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 25 pounds.
  • Frequently: ability to interact and communicate with members of the University and others as necessary.
  • Occasionally: ability to attend events and activities usually on campus.
Working Conditions
  • Hour Hours of employment: sometimes may require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects.
  • Stress from work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.
Work Standards
  • Respect for the University's mission and Catholic identity: demonstrates commitment to learning, respecting, and contributing to the mission of the University, a Catholic and Congregation of Holy Cross institution. The University's mission statement states in relevant part: "we pursue teaching and learning, faith and formation, service and leadership in the classroom, residence halls, and the world."2 The University's Statement of Inclusion states in relevant part: "Our belief in the inherent dignity of each person is founded upon the social teaching of the Catholic Church. At the center of that teaching is the fundamental mandate that every person, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social or economic class, age, or disability shall be treated with respect and dignity."
  • Promote culture of safety: demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training
  • Compliance with laws and policies and procedures: subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University, departmental, and other applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to, the personnel, business, and/or other policies of the University.
  • Compliance with driving-related laws and requirements: when conducting university business while driving, must comply with the Oregon Vehicle Code and University of Portland driving requirements.
  • Interpersonal skills: demonstrates the ability to work professionally with all University of Portland community members, external organizations, and any other person or organization employee interacts with in his or her University capacity.


Benefits

Medical and dental insurance, life insurance, sick time and vacation time consistent with University policies, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account benefits, tuition remission benefits generally starting after 90 days (employee) or 2 years (spouse and children) of employment, retirement contributions generally starting after 2 years of employment, and eligibility for the University's home purchase assistance program consistent with program requirements. (Benefits are subject to all relevant University policies, practices, contracts, and any other relevant materials.)

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
S357-2023

Number of Vacancies
1

Estimated Start Date

Open Date

Close Date

Open Until Filled
No

Special Instructions Summary

About the Company

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UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND