Senior Program Director, Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network

Title Senior Program Director Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network Position Senior Program Director Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network Department Continuing Education Polaris Full-time or Part-time FT Exempt Grant-Funded 5-Year Term Position 2027-2031 Hours per week 35 Months per year 12 Salary Range 99000-115000 commensurate with education experience and professional credentials Work Schedule On-Campus PTS Office Hours Reports to Executive Director Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network Submit application to recruit.polarisptsem.edu Job Purpose The Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network at Princeton Theological Seminary cultivates connections among young adult Christian leaders across the United States amplifying the scope and impact of their leadership through relationships and resources. The Senior Program Director provides senior leadership for all programming of the Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network overseeing the design development and implementation of a growing portfolio of programs events and initiatives serving young adult Christian leaders ages 23-32. Reporting to the Executive Director this position leads and manages the program team holds primary responsibility for program quality and serves as a key partner in advancing the mission and vision of the Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network at Princeton Theological Seminary. Because several positions supporting Polaris are embedded in other Seminary offices this role also serves as the program teams primary point of coordination with other offices across the institution ensuring that grant-funded staff and shared institutional resources work in alignment with Polariss priorities and calendar. Essential Functions Program Development and Leadership 40 of time • Lead the design development and implementation of all Polaris programs events and initiatives serving young adult Christian leaders including programs for leaders age 23-32 in diverse professional and volunteer contexts across spheres of influence in the United States. • Oversee the refinement and scaling of existing programs including the Polaris Leadership Summit Polaris Fellowship micro courses and micro certificate ensure alignment with the Polaris theory of change and formation framework. • Lead development of new programs in collaboration with the Executive Director faculty and key institutional partners including new certificate programs and the Polaris Ambassadors program with particular attention to the integration of a culture of belonging the development of spiritual and leadership practices and intellectual engagement in theology. • Ensure that all program and event design incorporates appropriate learning objectives participant assessment and practices of hospitality and inclusion for diverse young adult audiences. • Cultivate and deepen relationships with PTS faculty engaging them as partners in the development of offerings that reflect the Seminarys theological depth and scholarly expertise. • Present speak publicly and teach during on-campus programs and events as needed serving as a senior representative of the Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network. • Collaborate with the Office of Digital Learning on the design and delivery of online certificates and digital offerings and with the Marketing and Communications office on program promotion and recruitment strategies. • Liaise with the Associate Dean of Continuing Education ensuring alignment and coordination with the broader non-degree program priorities. • Draft and submit program narrative reports for the Executive Director funder and institutional leadership as requested. Staff Leadership and Supervision 40 of time • Recruit hire train supervise and support all program team staff including Associate Directors and Administrative Assistant fostering a collaborative inclusive joyful and high-performing team culture. • Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with direct reports provide ongoing coaching real-time feedback professional development and performance management across the program team. • Oversee onboarding and orientation of all new program staff ensuring alignment with Polaris values institutional policies and program priorities. • Manage part-time staff and consultants associated with program delivery in coordination with Associate Directors. May also supervise student workers. • Collaborate with the Associate Dean to cultivate strong interdepartmental relationships with directors and staff across Marketing and Communications Events and Hospitality the Office of Digital Learning the Business Office the Office of Continuing Education and the Presidents Office serving as the primary point of coordination between the program team and institutional partners on Polaris-related work. Strong interdepartmental relationships are essential to the success of this position. • Provide dotted-line supervision and coordination for Polaris positions embedded in other Seminary offices including the Communications and Content Manager embedded in Marketing and Communications and the Events Coordinator embedded in Hospitality & Events setting Polaris-related priorities and ensuring their work stays aligned with the program calendar even though each reports within their own office. • Collaborate with the Executive Director on organizational planning team structure and staffing needs as the initiative scales across the grant period. Network Cultivation and Support 10 of time • Cultivate and sustain relationships with young adult leaders congregations faith-based nonprofits denominational partners and peer institutions committed to young adult faith formation and leadership development. Develop collaborative partnerships with organizational leaders through young adult serving Polaris programs. • Lead the program team in offering hospitality to all program participants embodying welcome empowerment and authentic engagement consistent with the seminarys values. • Represent Polaris and Princeton Theological Seminary in ecumenical denominational and professional gatherings interpreting the mission and learning objectives of Polaris programs to academic ecclesial and organizational audiences and key stakeholders. • Identify and cultivate emerging young adult leaders for further engagement with Polaris programs including the Ambassadors program. Administrative and Institutional Leadership 10 of time • Work closely with the Business Manager on program and event budgets ensuring financial stewardship and alignment with grant requirements. • Collaborate with an external evaluation consultant to manage and enhance programs through ongoing formative assessment using data and participant feedback to inform program improvement and institutional reporting. • Integrate learnings from the Polaris Research Initiative into Polaris programs. • Serve on committees and task forces and perform occasional administrative duties in support of the broader mission of Princeton Theological Seminary and the Office of Continuing Education. • Collaborate with the Executive Director and institutional partners to plan for the longevity of select programs beyond the grant period. Qualifications and Skills • Master of Divinity Master of Arts Master of Theological Studies or equivalent degree from an ATS-accredited seminary or divinity school required Master of Divinity preferred additional graduate training in education leadership or a related field a plus. • Minimum 7 years of experience in program leadership ministry or organizational leadership with demonstrated experience managing complex multi-program portfolios. • Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience with proven ability to develop high-performing teams. • Deep commitment to and experience with young adults leadership formation or faith-based programming familiarity with the landscape of young adulthood Chrisitan religious institutions theological education and leadership strongly preferred. • Demonstrated ability to design and implement programs that integrate theological formation relational community and leadership development for diverse audiences. • Experience presenting preaching speaking publicly and teaching in program event or educational contexts required. • Demonstrated ability to build and sustain strong interdepartmental and cross-institutional relationships experience working collaboratively across multiple offices teams necessary. • Experience with grant-funded initiatives including program reporting budget stewardship and funder relations strongly preferred. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and project management tools Monday Asana or similar experience with LMS platforms CRM systems Salesforce Slate or similar a plus. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to represent the Seminary and Polaris professionally across academic ecclesial and public contexts. • Demonstrated commitment to diversity equity inclusion and belonging with experience designing programs that center and welcome participants from diverse racial ethnic denominational and socioeconomic backgrounds. • Must be willing to relocate to or reside within commuting distance of Princeton NJ. This position requires regular in-person presence on-campus and travel for events. Other duties as assigned. Physical Environmental Demands Ability to be mobile on campus with any needed accommodation. Works in an office environment lifts up to 20 lbs. Remains in a stationary position approximately 50 of the time wrist and hand movement related to computer work. Position requires occasional evening and weekend availability for program events and travel. Prepared by Shari Oosting September 2026