Executive Director for the Center for Spiritual Formation

The Fuller Center for Spiritual Formation (see https://spiritualformation.fuller.edu/ ) empowers pastors, leaders, church networks, and organizations to experience maturity in Christ through integrative and relational spiritual formation in their context. It is part of the Leadership Formation Division (LFD) at Fuller Seminary, which provides research-based resources and training to those who want to learn from Fuller, but are not pursuing a degree. LFD is home to other Centers and Institutes, such as the Fuller Youth Institute, Max De Pree Center for Leadership, and Thrive Center for Human Development.

The Center was founded in 2016, and has well-established resource efforts through Fuller Formation Groups (a year-long, cohort-style formation experience that includes retreats, weekly engagements, and hosted conversations, which have served 2,500 people to date), a nine-month Certificate in Spiritual Formation (on FULLER Equip, Fuller’s online non-degreed training platform for Christian leaders), in-person speaking and facilitation, and other resources designed to support leaders who want to grow in their own spiritual formation as they lead others. In concert with Fuller’s graduate programs, FSF offers modalities of formation to meet leaders where they are, and with the time they have, to help them take a next step in their growth.

While the Fuller Center for Spiritual Formation is in its eighth year of existence, we sense the current size and impact is only scratching the surface of its potential. Fuller Theological Seminary has a rich history of focus on spiritual formation, including a network of thousands of alumni in the US and around the world who are passionate about the topic. We seek a movement-minded, network-building, catalytic leader who is attentive to the Holy Spirit’s leading. This leader will have demonstrated experience and embodied understanding in the area of spiritual formation, strong interest and skills in research and resource creation, as well as the ability to build and rally a team and other key stakeholders (e.g., other ministry partners and donors) around these topics.

• Vision and Strategy
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    Clarify and communicate a collaborative vision for the overall mission and purpose of the Fuller Center for Spiritual Formation, consistent with the needs of leaders and practitioners in the US and around the world, as well as LFD and the overall seminary’s mission and goals.
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    Collaboratively develop, implement, and maintain a strategy for aligning FSF people, programs, and partnerships toward the vision and goals.
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    Maintain and demonstrate a commitment to theological and ethnic diversity.
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    Strategize and lead efforts to develop high-impact, income-generating products and services.


• Team Oversight and Leadership
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    Provide overall supervision for FSF staff, including formal and informal evaluation of staff performance.
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    Oversee the budget and reporting for all programs.
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    Enhance a healthy team culture that reflects the realities of a remote team.


• Research and Resource Creation
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    Identify the most pressing needs for research around spiritual formation, then oversee and participate in conducting research on those topics (with particular attention to diverse and underserved communities).
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    Oversee the translation of research-based content into practical resources and training experiences. Author or contribute to those resources, providing thought leadership, as needed.
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    Facilitate in-person and digital training experiences and speaking, including limited travel.


• Fund Development
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    Guide fund development activities for the Center, in partnership with Fuller’s Development Office. Maintain contact and relationships with key donors, as well as identify new donors.
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    Take primary responsibility for grant applications.


• Partnerships and External Representation
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    Cultivate and build strategic relationships with practitioners, thought leaders, organizations, scholars, collaborators, and other key and emerging voices in the field of spiritual formation.
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    Represent the Center through speaking at partner events.
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    Convene gatherings to educate and equip practitioners and organizational partners on relevant research and resources in spiritual formation.
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    Identify and expand business opportunities through new and existing partnerships.


• Internal Relationship Development
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    Represent and advocate for the Center for Spiritual Formation in the Leadership Formation Division and Fuller Seminary more broadly, building reciprocal relationships and identifying areas of collaboration and synergy.
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    Understand areas of Fuller faculty expertise and involve aligned faculty in Center projects.
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    Identify pathways to support Fuller students, as well as equip students to partner with the Center for Spiritual Formation after graduation.

• Doctoral degree in theology or a related field


• 7-10 years’ experience in a church, higher education, or non-profit ministry setting with demonstrated expertise and success in staff and administrative leadership


• Commitment to and demonstration of a well-practiced and embodied spiritual formation in their own life and in leading others


• Familiarity with ecumenical church landscape and mission organizations including a commitment to diverse and underserved communities. Understanding of and comfort with western and non-western formation traditions


• Experience in leading formational practices with large and small groups


• Visionary and strategic thinker, able to cast a mission that is focused and attainable


• Skilled team-builder with ability to work collaboratively


• Strong networking and interpersonal skills, especially within spiritual formation communities


• Demonstrated experience in securing gifts from donors and foundations


• Expert-level understanding of spiritual formation needs in the United States


• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, and cross-cultural communication skills required, with a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively to a diverse community


• Ability to represent Fuller with theological robustness, relational savvy, and strategic foresight


• This position can either be based on Fuller’s Pasadena campus or work remotely from any location in the U.S.

• Must be willing to abide by Fuller's
  Community Standards


• Must be willing to sign Fuller's Statement of Faith


• This position is available for remote work within the United States. Subject to payroll state approval by Fuller Theological Seminary

• Salary range the seminary expects to pay: $105,000 - $120,000 annually USD