Program Director of VIA Journeys

Job Title: Program Director of VIA Journeys

Reporting Relationship: Executive Director of Strategic Innovations

Unit: Wesley Seminary

Department: Wesley Seminary

Campus

Location:

NGM Building, Marion, IN

The Program Director of VIA Journeys is responsible for launching, piloting, and operationalizing VIA Journeys as a flagship initiative within the Academic & Ministry Strategic Innovations (AMSI) unit.
This role exists to ensure that strategy becomes reality. The Program Director brings entrepreneurial leadership, technical fluency, and execution discipline to move VIA Journeys from concept to functioning pilots, platforms, and participant experiences.
The Program Director is empowered by the Executive Director of AMSI to focus fully on delivery, experimentation, and learning, while operating within clear strategic guardrails.

• VIA Journeys Launch & Execution
  • Lead the end-to-end launch of VIA Journeys, including pilots, operational workflows, and participant experiences
  • Translate strategic direction into executable plans, timelines, milestones, and deliverables
  • Ensure VIA Journeys progresses from idea to active implementation with momentum and clarity
• Entrepreneurial & Pilot Leadership
  • Operate with an entrepreneurial mindset—testing assumptions, learning rapidly, and iterating responsibly
  • Design and manage pilots that validate participant value, operational feasibility, and program design
  • Build repeatable processes that support early scaling while preserving quality and trust
• Technical Fluency & Platform Coordination
  • Serve as the primary program lead coordinating technical and platform-related work
  • Partner with internal and external technical teams to translate program needs into platform requirements
  • Support integration with Lantern and other Seminary systems, ensuring usability, reliability, and data integrity
• Partner & Participant Engagement
  • Coordinate pilot partners, churches, advisors, and ministry leaders
  • Build feedback loops with pastors and participants to inform continuous improvement
  • Ensure participant experience reflects pastoral sensitivity and theological integrity
• Learning, Metrics & Reporting
  • Define and track operational, learning, and pilot metrics
  • Provide clear updates, dashboards, and insights to the Executive Director and Seminary leadership
  • Ensure lessons learned inform future decisions and phases

According to Indiana Wesleyan University employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.

• Master's degree or other advanced degree strongly preferred

• According to Indiana Wesleyan University’s employment policy, all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement
• Ten or more (10+) years of demonstrated experience launching, scaling, and leading programs, products, platforms, or strategic initiatives from concept through execution
• Experience managing and influencing diverse stakeholders, including approximately 30 external partners, while building strong, collaborative relationships
• Experience working within ministry organizations, churches, or higher education environments is required; experience spanning both sectors is strongly preferred

• Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, build from zero to launch, and drive measurable outcomes
• Exceptional project and program management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex cross-functional initiatives
• Strong technical fluency, with the ability to work effectively alongside developers, digital platforms, data systems, and AI-enabled technologies
• Familiarity with digital learning platforms, SaaS business models, AI integrations, or ecosystem-based initiatives is strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across executive leadership, external partners, and cross-functional teams to execute strategic priorities
• Strong alignment with the organization's Christian mission, including agreement with the Statement of Faith and Community Life expectations
• The…