Job Summary
The Department of Global Initiatives (DGI) advances Dallas Theological Seminary's global mission by identifying, assessing, and planning large-scale, cross-functional initiatives within the Initiating and Planning phases of the PMI project lifecycle. The Assistant Director is the Senior Director's primary strategic partner, managing research, documentation, and stakeholder coordination across an active multi-initiative portfolio spanning international scholarship programs, regional gateway development, global partner relationships, and domestic intercultural engagement. This role is scoped entirely within DGI's planning mandate; admissions counseling, academic advising, and program execution are held by other departments.
Key Responsibilities
Research and Feasibility
Conduct research, benchmarking, and feasibility analysis for potential and active DGI initiatives across regions and institutional partners.
Synthesize findings into actionable briefs, PESTLE and SWOT analyses, and risk assessments for senior leadership.
Monitor the global theological education landscape, visa policy, and accreditation developments that affect DGI planning assumptions.
Initiative Planning and Documentation
Draft and maintain planning documents for all active DGI initiatives: charters, RACI matrices, risk registers, timelines, and stakeholder registers.
Manage version control across all documents submitted to the VP for Global Ministries, ExCom, and the Board.
Maintain Asana as the authoritative source of record for initiative status and ensure all active work is execution-ready before divisional handoff.
Stakeholder Coordination
Facilitate planning meetings and feedback loops with departments including Enrollment Services, Academics, Finance, Advancement, Operations, and ISD.
Represent DGI in cross-departmental conversations and ensure ExCom and Board submission timelines are met.
Global Partner Development
Support development and maintenance of DGI's global partner relationships, including gateway site candidates, regional academic hubs, and international ministry networks.
Conduct due diligence for prospective partnerships and draft correspondence and meeting summaries for international engagement.
Reporting and Team Coordination
Track DGI-aligned milestones within the DTS Strategic Plan and prepare progress reports for the Senior Director.
Assist the Senior Director in coordinating work with the DGI Coordinator and, as the portfolio grows, with Research Fellows.
Required:
Bachelor's degree in theology, leadership, education, or a related field
3 or more years of experience in project coordination, strategic research, or higher education or ministry contexts
Demonstrated ability to produce executive-quality written deliverables: research briefs, planning documents, and stakeholder reports
Cultural intelligence and experience working across diverse, cross-functional teams
Proficiency in Asana, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace
Preferred:
Master's degree in theology, leadership, education, or global ministry
Familiarity with PMI project lifecycle standards
Experience in international ministry or cross-cultural theological education
Knowledge of global visa dynamics and SACSCOC accreditation standards
Core Competencies
Strategic and Systems Thinking
Institutional and Intercultural Fluency
Execution-Ready Strategic Framing
Collaborative Planning and Communication
Leadership with Humility and Clarity
Travel Requirements