Director, Center Spiritual and Campus Chaplain

Join our community and experience Emerson College! The Director, Center for Spiritual Life and Campus Chaplain reports to the Assistant Vice President of Student Experience and will oversee the staffing, programming, and vision for the college’s Center for Spiritual Life (CSL). The Director will also serve as the college’s Chaplain, providing support and guidance for students and groups involved in religious activities, faith traditions, and personal spiritual growth.

• Provide long-term planning and leadership for the Center for Spiritual Life, ensuring alignment with divisional and institutional priorities.
• Oversee all Center operations, including staffing, programming, communications, and management of the Center’s office suite and prayer and meditation rooms.
• Hire, supervise, and support part-time affiliated chaplains and student workers engaged in spiritual life programming and care.
• Develop and administer the departmental budget, ensuring responsible fiscal management and compliance with College financial guidelines.
• Serve as the administrator for the CSL, approving expense reports, managing communications, coordinating staff meetings and room reservations, and managing supplies and inventory for the CSL office suite.
• Oversee special funds, including donor-supported accounts, ensuring compliance with College policy and donor intent.

• Serve as the college’s Chaplain, leading community gatherings, services, and vigils in times of celebration, grief, crisis, and transition.
• Provide individual and small group spiritual counsel and support to students, faculty, and staff.
• Deliver invocations, reflections, and benedictions at college-wide gatherings—including Commencement, New Student Orientations, Alumni Weekend, and Family & Friends Weekend.
• Advocate for inclusion on campus, focusing on religious literacy, interfaith cooperation, and dialogue across differences.
• Oversee programming and events for a spiritually diverse audience to increase wellness, community building, interfaith conversation, and meaning-making on campus.
• Create and communicate the College’s multi-faith calendar of religious and spiritual observances.
• Serve as an advisor and resource on religious accommodation requests.

• Provide resources for students seeking engagement, connection, or guidance in navigating campus life and belonging.
• Advise student leaders in religious and spiritual life student organizations, coordinating leadership retreats, regular meetings, and development opportunities.
• Support students and communities impacted by national or international events and serve as a confidential resource for pastoral support and referrals.

• Collaborate with Office of Equal Opportunity, Student Care and Support, Community Standards, and Healing and Advocacy Center.
• Engage with Cultural Engagement Center, Student Engagement and Leadership, Student Transitions and Family Programs, Admissions, International Student Affairs, Student Accessibility Services, Housing and Residential Education, Wellness Center, Athletics, and other College offices to advance student engagement and belonging.
• Represent the Division of Student Affairs on committees, task forces, and projects that promote spiritual life, cultural connection, student engagement, and institutional inclusion.
• Partner with Boston-area organizations and spiritual leaders to create opportunities for cultural and faith-based exploration, education, and creative exchange beyond campus.

• Participate actively in and support major divisional and institutional programs and events.
• Perform evening and weekend participation for campus events and student engagement activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Master’s Degree in Divinity, Theology, Religious Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7‑10 years of experience in spiritual leadership roles, including administrative and pastoral/spiritual care, preferably in higher education.
• Demonstrated experience managing and…