Executive Director of Academic & Ministry Strategic Innovations
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Job no: 494830
Work type: Administrative (Full Time)
Location: Marion, IN
Categories: Other, Executive
Job Title: Executive Director of Academic & Ministry Strategic Innovations
Reporting Relationship: Executive Vice President of Wesley Seminary
Unit: Wesley Seminary
Department: Seminary Administration
Campus Location: Wesley Seminary - Marion, IN
Summary of Position: The Executive Director of Strategic Innovations (SI) provides senior strategic leadership for Wesley Seminary’s innovation portfolio, ensuring that complex initiatives—such as VIA Journeys—are theologically grounded, well-governed, institutionally aligned, and positioned for long-term impact. This role exists to hold the “whole” of innovation: vision, discernment, governance, sequencing, and sustainability. By separating strategic stewardship from day-to-day execution, the Executive Director ensures that initiatives move forward with clarity and integrity—without overloading a single leader or allowing innovation to drift from the Seminary’s mission.
Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Portfolio Stewardship
Provide strategic leadership for the SI portfolio, ensuring initiatives are mission-aligned, theologically sound, and appropriately sequenced
Determine which ideas advance to pilots, which initiatives scale, and which pause or conclude—protecting the Seminary from initiative overload
Ensure VIA Journeys and future initiatives align with institutional priorities, grant commitments, and long-term sustainability
Governance, Discernment & Guardrails
Establish and steward governance frameworks that clarify decision rights, ethical boundaries, and accountability
Provide theological and institutional oversight for innovation involving digital platforms, technology, or emerging tools
Ensure innovation proceeds at a pace that balances learning, trust, and impact
VIA Journeys Strategic Oversight
Serve as a senior Seminary leader responsible for the strategic alignment of VIA Journeys
Partner with external consultants, funders, and ecosystem leaders to ensure coherence and credibility
Use insights from pilots, research, and evaluation to inform future phases and decisions
Institutional & Ecosystem Alignment
Collaborate with Seminary leadership, faculty, Marketing, Advancement, and external partners to integrate innovation across the institution
Represent Wesley Seminary in high-level ministry, academic, and innovation contexts
Team Leadership
Provide leadership and direction to SI staff, including the Program Director and operational roles
Create clarity between strategic leadership and execution, enabling staff to operate with focus and accountability
Supervisory Responsibility
Supervises any part-time or full-time SI personnel
Qualifications: 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.
Education
Master’s degree required (doctorate preferred) in theology, ministry, leadership, education, or related field
Experience
Five to ten (5-10) years of significant leadership and entrepreneurial experience in the church, higher education, or a start-up business is preferred
Required Skills
Demonstrated senior leadership experience overseeing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives
Proven ability to lead through discernment, governance, and strategic clarity rather than direct control
Strong systems thinking and institutional judgment
Experience in stewarding grants, partnerships, or innovation portfolios
Experience working at the intersection of academia, ministry, and organizational innovation
Ability to guide emerging initiatives from early concept through commercialization and sustainability without mission drift
IWU Kingdom Diversity Statement
IWU, in covenant with God's reconciling work and in accordance with the Biblical principles of our historic Wesleyan tradition, commits to build a community that reflects Kingdom diversity. We will foster an intentional environment for living, teaching and learning, which exhibits honor, respect, and dignity. Acknowledging visible or invisible differences, our community authentically values each member's earthly and eternal worth. We refute ignorance and isolation and embrace deliberate and courageous engagement that exhibits Christ's commandment to love all humankind.
LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER
As a religious educational institution operating under the auspices of The Wesleyan Church, Indiana Wesleyan University is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees on the basis of religion (42 U.S.C., Sections 2000e-1 and 2000e-2).
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.
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Advertised: 09 Feb 2026 US Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 15 Mar 2026 US Eastern Daylight Time
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