Associate Director of Church Relations

PLNU is a Christian liberal arts university in the evangelical, Wesleyan tradition, offering quality undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. We provide higher education in a vibrant Christian environment where minds are engaged and challenged, character is modeled and formed, and service is an expression of faith. PLNU is an institution that is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of God's kingdom. We therefore encourage applications from culturally diverse candidates.

Benefits:

We are pleased to offer attractive benefits and resources. This includes benefits such as health, dental, tuition benefits for employees and dependents, competitive retirement matching, vacation and sick time, and 15 paid holidays per year. In addition, we have many opportunities to engage with our community including staff chapel and a robust wellness program.

Job Summary:

The Associate Director for Church Relations cultivates and sustains strategic relationships between PLNU/CPL and pastors, congregations, and denominational leaders across the San Diego region. Working in close partnership with and under the strategic direction of the CPL Director, this role operationalizes the Director's vision-building partnerships, expanding student vocational pathways, promoting Wesleyan-Holiness formation, and translating CPL strategy into actionable, church-facing initiatives.

Salary:
Pay range $70,304 - $81,407
Actual salary offered is determined by the candidate's experience, education, skills, and other factors, including internal equity and university funding resources.

Job Status:
Full time

Job Description:

Responsibilities

Relationship Building & Networking (supports Director's Church Relations & Denominational Collaboration)

• Develop and deepen relationships with San Diego pastors, church leaders, district superintendents, and denominational contacts to foster collaborative partnerships.
• Represent CPL in the broader church community; invite churches to engage with campus programs, retreats, workshops, and community events.
• Serve as a relational bridge between PLNU and local congregations to encourage sustained, mutual partnership.

Strategic Collaboration & Program Integration (implements Director's Strategic Vision & Program Oversight)

• Translate CPL strategic priorities and multi-year plan into concrete outreach and partnership plans that align with PLNU's mission and OnePLNU priorities.
• Coordinate logistics and local partnerships for CPL programs (workshops, retreats, learning cohorts, coaching initiatives), ensuring theological alignment with Wesleyan-Holiness commitments and responsiveness to contemporary ministry needs.
• Provide operational support for program delivery and assist in program evaluation and iterative improvement.

Student Engagement & Vocational Pathways (advances Director's Student Vocational Pathways goals)

• Develop and maintain pipelines placing students in internships, field education, mentoring relationships, and ministry placements with healthy congregations.
• Collaborate with the School of Theology & Christian Ministry (SOTCM), Spiritual Life & Formation, faculty, and student services to support students discerning vocational ministry.
• Track student placements and outcomes; report findings and recommend improvements to the Director.

Denominational Engagement & Event Coordination (supports Director's denominational liaison role)

• Serve as CPL's primary operational contact for district assemblies, district leadership retreats, and denominational gatherings; coordinate travel, registration, and logistics for CPL staff and students.
• Attend denominational events to strengthen district relationships, promote CPL initiatives, and gather strategic insights for follow-up by the Director.
• Liaise with denominational leaders to facilitate collaborative initiatives and sustained engagement.

Partnership Development & Resource Collaboration (supports Director's Partnership Development & Resource Stewardship)

• Collaborate with University Advancement, campus partners (Wesleyan Center, Spiritual Life), and community organizations to promote collaborative initiatives and resource-sharing.
• Provide timely constituent feedback and partnership intelligence to support fundraising, donor engagement, and grant opportunities advanced by the Director.

Implementation, Representation & Institutional Integration (advances Director's Institutional Integration & Theological Witness)

• Serve as a credible, relational representative of PLNU and the CPL, embodying the university's Wesleyan-Holiness heritage and mission.
• Facilitate church-campus dialogues, forums, and events that integrate theological reflection with practical ministry concerns and cultural awareness.
• Participate in CPL and university events that promote the center's mission and foster the Christian community.

Qualifications & Attributes

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's in theology, ministry, leadership, or related field preferred.
• Experience in church relations, denominational engagement, ministry placements, or community partnership development.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and written/verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic plans into operational actions and sustained partnerships.
• Familiarity with the San Diego church landscape and denominational structures; experience with the Church of the Nazarene preferred.
• Event planning and logistics experience for church and denominational gatherings.
• Commitment to PLNU's Wesleyan-Holiness tradition, Christian higher education mission, and collaborative work with CPL leadership.
• Openness to professional growth and internal advancement within PLNU.
• Evidence of Christian commitment and active church involvement. In addition, staff agree to live in agreement with PLNU's Community Life Covenant.
• The job offer is contingent on the successful completion of a background check. PLNU will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local 'Fair Chance' laws.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with students or in higher-education ministry contexts.
• Track record of building sustainable church-university partnerships and measurable placement outcomes.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Travel approximately 33% of the time (local and regional travel to churches, district assemblies, retreats, and denominational events).
• Significant sedentary periods; use of computer equipment; ability to read documents and communicate effectively in person and by phone.
• Ability to stand, stoop, push, pull, and lift up to 10 lbs occasionally.

Reporting & Collaboration

• Reports to the Director of the Center for Pastoral Leadership and works in regular consultation with the Director to ensure tactical efforts map to CPL's multi-year strategy.
• Collaborates closely with: Dean, School of Theology & Christian Ministry; Director of the Wesleyan Center; VP for Spiritual Life & Formation; VP for Mission & Calling; VP for University Advancement; district superintendents and church leaders.

Impact Metrics (tracked with Director)

• Number and quality of active church partnerships and student placement sites.
• Student placement outcomes and vocational pipeline growth.
• Church engagement and attendance in CPL programs.
• Feedback from pastors/district leaders informing program improvements.