Director of Partnerships and External Relations for Seminary

Department: Seminary
Reports To: Dean School of Graduate and Professional Studies
Status:Non-Exempt Part-Time (Grant-funded position)

This role serves as a key external-facing leader for the Seminary focused on building strong lasting relationships with churches ministry leaders and professional and accrediting partners. The position plays an important part in strengthening the Seminarys presence within the broader ecclesial community.

The Director of Partnerships and External Relations provides theological insight into programs curriculum and academic offerings helping ensure alignment with doctrinal standards and the needs of partner churches and organizations. This includes identifying areas where programs can better serve the evolving needs of ministry contexts.

A central part of this role is fostering trust collaboration and positive engagement between the Seminary and external partners. The Director also supports bridge-building efforts that strengthen church relationships and expand awareness of Seminary programs.

In addition this position contributes indirectly to student recruitment by developing meaningful connections that naturally increase interest in Seminary offerings. The work is highly relational requiring thoughtful communication and a strong understanding of church and ministry environments.

The Director of Partnerships and External Relations works collaboratively within a team dedicated to creating a supportive mission-driven experience for students and partners alike.

• Represent the seminary and FPU in various ecclesiastical spaces including but not limited to Mennonite Brethren and other local regional and national church groups denominations and ministry organizations.
• Represent the seminary and FPU at community religious and non-religious events throughout the greater central San Joaquin area (e.g. pastors clusters local gatherings prayer meetings etc.).
• Represent the seminary with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and attend ATS conferences if requested.
• Represent the seminary at conferences and events in various locations nationally and internationally as appropriate including USMB MCC and others if requested.
• Represent the seminary with donors and potential donors when a theological voice is called for particularly as requested by FPU Advancement staff.
• Teach a minimum of one seminary course per academic year in an adjunct load contract if requested.
• Attend seminary faculty and department meetings as requested by the Seminary Chair.
• Attend University meetings as needed when requested by FPU Administration.
• Seek to stay current with trends in North American church and ministry contexts particularly on a popular and mass level and not merely in the academy.
• Advise the Seminary Chair and faculty on prudent policies and programmatic decisions as they may impact on the larger church and outside relationships.
• Meet with the Seminary Department Chair on a regular basis to assess needs and set priorities for assigned tasks.
• Demonstrate a commitment to serving and inspiring students and colleagues in a context of a Christian University integrating your Christian faith into your role and responsibilities.
• Embrace themission vision and values of Fresno Pacific University affirm theFPU Faith Expectations and support the ideals and practices articulated in The Fresno Pacific Idea
• Uphold and advance Fresno Pacific Universitys commitment to Christ-centered higher education holistic student development and serving diverse communities.
• Complete tasks timely with work that is comprehensive complete and accurate
• Communicates clearly listens attentively and seeks to understand others
• Collaborates productively with colleagues of varying skillset
• Other job duties as assigned

• A doctoral degree in theology or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Masters degree in theology or related field minimum required.
• Good social skills relationship-building skills and the capacity to understand alternate points of view required.
• Faculty teaching experience and student engagement skills necessary.
• Able to complete confidential tasks.
• Must be a self-starter able to work productively independently and take initiative.

• Travel within the community to meet religious and community partners in various settings. Travel to national and international conferences via air or vehicle.
• Public contact position requiring professional apparel personal hygiene and grooming.
• Indoors in a normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise dust fumes vibrations and temperature changes at least eighty percent (80%) of the time.
• Frequent computer use at a workstation up to eight hours per day.
• Frequently work at a fast pace with unscheduled interruptions.
• Drive personal or University vehicles to appointments.

• This position typically functions indoors in an office or religious environment with light to moderate noise associated with business office equipment. Attend outdoor events as indicated. Standing at events may be required.
• The position involves travel for meetings and events.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position 60% of the time be able to move about inside the office to access file cabinets/office machinery etc. operate a computer and keyboard and other office productivity machinery such as calculators/copy machines/printers. The employee is occasionally required to position self to reach items on the floor and in high cabinetry.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Employee must be able to communicate with others to exchange information including both over the telephone and in-person communication with callers and community members and read a computer screen and paper documents.
• Reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities will be provided in accordance with law.

$43.00 per hour is the wage for this role with an expected schedule of 15-20 hours per week and reflects what Fresno Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on qualifications experience and internal addition to compensation Fresno Pacific University offers a competitive benefits

package.

Reserving its rights as a religious institution Fresno Pacific University is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin ethnicity sex age or disability or other classes protected by applicable law. Committed to excellence and actively supportive of cultural diversity FPU invites individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability you should contact FPUs Human Resources Department at . As a religious institution the University will administer the equal opportunity employment policy consistent with the Fresno Pacific University statement of faith the FPU Idea and the Universitys governance by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.