Program Director

Position Overview

The Program Director of VIA Journeys is responsible for launching, piloting, and operationalizing VIA Journeys as a flagship initiative within the Strategic Innovations (SI) unit. This role exists to ensure that strategy becomes reality.

Duties and Responsibilities

• 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
• Cook up 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
• Supervisory Responsibility
• Supervise any part-time or full-time personnel assigned to the VIA Journeys initiative

Requirements

• Master's degree or other advanced degree strongly preferred
• 10+ years of demonstrated experience launching, scaling, and leading programs, products, platforms, or strategic initiatives from concept through execution
• 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
• Experience managing and influencing diverse stakeholders, including approximately 30 external partners, while building strong, collaborative relationships
• Strong technical fluency, with the ability to work effectively alongside developers, digital platforms, data systems, and AI-enabled technologies
• Experience leading technology initiatives in partnership with technical experts is required
• Familiarity with digital learning platforms, SaaS business models, AI integrations, or ecosystem-based initiatives is strongly preferred
• Entrepreneurial, startup, or innovation-focused experience, with a demonstrated ability to build and scale new initiatives
• Experience working within ministry organizations, churches, or higher education environments is required; experience spanning both sectors 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