"Director of Formation/Assistant Professor"

Job Details

Overview

The University of Saint Mary of the Lake (USML)/Mundelein Seminary founded in 1844, is the major seminary and graduate school of theology for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Mundelein Seminary is one of the largest priesthood preparation programs in the United States having graduated over 4,000 students since 1926 and serving over thirty (30) dioceses in the United States and abroad.

In addition to the formation of priests, USML also has the School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization (SPLE). SPLE currently has four major areas:

• Graduate Degree Programs
  • Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
  • Master of Theological Studies (MTS),
  • Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS),
  • Master of Arts in Liturgical Studies (MALS)
  • Post Master Certificate in Pastoral Leadership
  • Certificate in the Ministry of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises
• Deacon Formation Programs
• Parish Ministry Programs - non-degree programs to prepare lay people for ministry and evangelization in both English and Spanish.
• Online short courses

University Mission Statement

To Form a Church that consecrates the world to God, according to the heart of Christ through the Holy Spirit.

University Vision Statement

To form priests, deacons, and the Laity for parish leadership, ministry, and evangelization – adhering to timeless Truth while adapting to constant change.

Summary

The Director of Formation/Assistant Professor (Director/Assistant Professor) will report to the Dean of the School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization (SPLE) with oversight responsibility over a Part-time assistant. As a member of the School’s faculty, the Director/Assistant Professor will offer a vision and plan for the spiritual, pastoral, intellectual, and human dimensions of our student formation. They will organize/facilitate select formation events, teach 1-2 courses per year, and assist with advising, curriculum development, assessment, and other aspects of our degree and non-degree programs. The Director/Assistant Professor is also responsible for all aspects of the Lilly-funded Thriving Congregations grant and will seek other grant opportunities. Responsibilities will include research, writing grant proposals, planning, budget, coordination with the Archdiocese of Chicago (AOC), implementation, fostering or maintaining positive relationships and reporting to Fund providers (i.e., Lilly Thriving Congregation).

For our consideration kindly submit with your application a cover letter, CV or resume, and a list of three (3) to five (5) professional references. Deadline to submit applications is May 8, 2026.

Core Functions

• Requires a highly conscious person who can positively relate to individuals at all levels.
• Demonstrates “safety for all persons and quality of product/experience” leadership.
• Remain vigilant always; report suspicious person’s activities or events to supervision and security.
• Possess a philosophy that is consistent with the Mission, Vision, and Values of the University organization.
• Must always treat all matters with the highest confidentiality.
• Supports the mission and vision of the university.

Essential Job Functions

• Offer a vision and plan for the spiritual, pastoral, intellectual, and human dimensions of SPLE student formation (all formation activities will be created with the following in mind: connections with coursework; connections between SPLE programs where appropriate; connections between SPLE and Seminary where appropriate; and connections with diocesan parish needs).
• Collaborate with the Dean, Faculty, and Program Leads to create and coordinate a calendar of formation events that aligns with SPLE coursework and the School’s overall mission and vision.
• Collaborate with the Dean, Faculty, and Program Leads to develop goals, student learning outcomes, and assessments for formation activities in all SPLE programs.
• Present at and/or facilitate select formation events, in cooperation with Program Leads and other Faculty.
• Responsible for oversight of the part-time Lilly Grant assistant.
• Responsible for all aspects of the Lilly Thriving Congregations Grant through the end of the grant period (December 2028) and extend the life of the grant beyond 2028, through additional formation program revisions and continued connections with AOC.
• Help to integrate grant findings into SPLE program review.
• Actively research and identify other grant opportunities that align with USML/SPLE objectives, prepare and submit comprehensive and compelling grant applications/proposals, monitor and manage grant income and expenditures ensuring compliance with grant conditions, maintain, prepare, and submit timely and accurate records/reports related to grants (including a database of grant information, submissions, and status reports), maintain positive relations with fund providers, stay abreast on changes in grant regulations and policies, and provide guidance and advice on grant-related matters to the leadership team.
• Teach 1-2 academic courses per year as needed, in consultation with the Dean.
• Assist with graduate programs, particularly the DMin program, and advise graduate students, in consultation with the Graduate Program Coordinator and Dean.

Education and Experience – An equivalent combination of education, training & experience will be considered.

• Must have a PHD or DMin from an accredited University in Catholic Theology, with preferred specialization in Pastoral Theology, Liturgical Theology, Christian Spirituality, Practical Theology, or a related field (ABD considered).
• Experience in ministry, preferred.
• Experienced and effective in writing and managing all aspects of grants, required.
• Experience working in higher education, religious institutions, preferred.
• Well versed in the interpretation, application and compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and other applicable rules, regulations and laws pertaining to education, preferred.
• Experience and effective with collaborative leadership, working across functional areas and teams.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills (ability to enthusiastically communicate USML/SPLE mission/vision, values, programs, and educational philosophy), tactful, courteous with students, faculty, employees, constituents, all.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency working with Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Shared drive), required.
• University Learning Management (LMS) Systems, preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish, Polish, Vietnamese, or other languages representative of the Archdiocese of Chicago), preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities which may be representative, but not all-inclusive of those associated with this position.

• Leadership, strategic, collaborative.
• Ability to plan, organize, multi-task, and implement.
• Work well under pressure and meet established goals and deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills, understanding of statistics, ability to analyze and interpret data and information.
• Attention to detail.
• Good judgement, problem solving, and ability to make decisions independently.
• Flexible, ability to adjust to changes, priorities, or objectives.
• Skilled in budget development and management.
• Understanding distance learning and technology.
• Requires minimal supervision, works well independently and is self-directed/motivated.
• Sales and marketing skills may prove beneficial.

Work Environment – Environmental conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• General office conditions, university conditions.
• Exposed to weather conditions outside, occasionally.
• Genuinely support and work with others in a Catholic environment.
• The person must be sensitive to organizational needs, employee goodwill, and the mission, of the Catholic Church.
• A commitment to the belief that all people have the right to dignity, respect, opportunity, and full community inclusion.
• Possess a philosophy that is consistent with the Mission, Vision, and Values of the USML.