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 Gods 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 addition we have many opportunities to engage with our community including staff chapel and a robust wellness program.

Job Summary:

Job Status:

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Job Description:

Responsibilities

Relationship Building & Networking (supports Directors 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 Directors Strategic Vision & Program Oversight)

• Translate CPL strategic priorities and multi-year plan into concrete outreach and partnership plans that align with PLNUs mission and OnePLNU priorities.

• Coordinate logistics and local partnerships for CPL programs (workshops retreats learning cohorts coaching initiatives) ensuring theological alignment with WesleyanHoliness 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 Directors 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 Directors denominational liaison role)

• Serve as CPLs 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 Directors 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 Directors Institutional Integration & Theological Witness)

• Serve as a credible relational representative of PLNU and the CPL embodying the universitys WesleyanHoliness heritage and mission.

• Facilitate churchcampus dialogues forums and events that integrate theological reflection with practical ministry concerns and cultural awareness.

• Participate in CPL and university events that promote the centers mission and foster the Christian community.

Qualifications & Attributes

• Bachelors degree required; Masters 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 PLNUs WesleyanHoliness 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 addition staff agree to live in agreement with PLNUs 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 churchuniversity 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 CPLs 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.

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At PLNU we believe in pursuing calling together. Deep and meaningful relationships between students faculty and staff is vital in nurturing our shared community and expressing Gods love. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates to join us in empowering our students to reach their greatest personal spiritual and professional potential.

Point Loma Nazarene University does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin sex age disability or status as a veteran in any of its policies practices or procedures.