The Director of Congregational Education and Outreach provides leadership over the organization’s engagement with varied congregants and faith leaders with a special emphasis on efforts to address political and/or cultural polarization within congregations and their communities. In this role the director serves as the chief lead on Sojourners Congregations from Polarization to Unity (CPU) project, plays an integral role in building and strengthening relationships across churches, and provides other external and representational engagement on behalf of the organization. Sojourners is open to fully remote candidates for this position with two annual trips to Washington, D.C., required.
Responsibilities:
- Cultivate and build relationships with faith leaders, churches, and congregants across the country. Sojourners is an ecumenical organization and is committed to serving the wide array of congregations and denominations present in the U.S. church.
- Lead the development, execution, promotion, and evaluation of Sojourners’ Congregations from Polarization to Unity (CPU) project, including but not limited to:
- Identify and convene virtual focus groups of congregants and faith leaders to help inform program development.
- Develop content and curriculum materials for a virtual Learning Hub that incorporates best practices for digital education. This includes managing the software delivery system and the production of interactive materials.
- Develop and staff community of support for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) faith leaders which incorporates renewal and spiritual care.
- Identify and cultivate congregants and faith leaders to engage in the virtual learning community to share knowledge and experience utilizing the CPU and other resources.
- Lead CPU evaluation activities. Design assessment tools to determine the effectiveness of the CPU resources and learning group.
- In collaboration with the Sojourners’ Mobilizing and Marketing Teams, supervise the communications and outreach plan, including speaking opportunities to engage congregants and faith leaders.
- Monitor program budget and spending.
- Monitor program benchmarks and outcomes to adjust strategies, as needed.
- oReport program updates and progress to Sojourners Board of Directors, funders, and other key stakeholders.
- Supervise the Manager of Congregational Education and Outreach.
- Represent Sojourners and the CPU project at faith-based conferences, churches, and other venues.
- Promote effective and clear internal communication in collaboration with Sojourners mobilizing and cross-organization teams.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in education, communications, or related field.
- A minimum of five years’ experience in education administration, digital learning, and/or program development and administration. Experience working with church networks or denominations is a plus.
- Ability to create multifaceted set of educational programs from the ground-up.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; high level of diplomacy and tact.
- Strong ability to interact with the public and high-level individuals and work collaboratively with diverse constituencies.
- Proven organizational skills, with strong ability to set priorities, manage multiple projects, work independently, and demonstrate initiative.
- Highly organized and accurate, with attention to detail.
- Experience working with BIPOC leaders and developing resources to support their unique needs.
- Preference for experience in digital learning/digital community management.
- Experience and/or background in democracy building, polarization, or conflict resolution is a plus.
Please send a cover letter, resume, and three professional reference contacts to jobs@sojo.net with the subject line Director of Congregational Education and Outreach. The application process involves an initial phone interview, a virtual interview, and for final candidates a third interview that will require reviewing reading materials prior and a real-time simulation exercise directly connected to the project. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Sojourners is an equal opportunity employer that continually seeks to diversify its staff and create an inclusive and equitable culture.
Starting annual salary for this position is $75,000-80,000, depending on experience. Excellent benefits package includes fully paid health insurance, 20 days’ paid vacation, 12 days’ paid sick leave, 12 paid holidays, 401(k) plan with employer match, and a positive, faith-based work environment.