Assistant Director, Center for Spiritual and Religious Life

Position Summary:
The Assistant University Chaplain and Assistant Director of Religious Life is part of the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life in the Belonging and Communities cluster at Vanderbilt University and is a key contributor to the administrative, programmatic, and pastoral responsibilities of the office. This position contributes to the programmatic and pastoral work of the office by focusing on spiritual/faith formation, diversity, multicultural learning, and inclusive excellence. Reporting directly to the Director and Senior Associate Chaplain of the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, the Assistant University Chaplain and Assistant Director of Religious Life will build collaborative partnerships with groups and offices at Vanderbilt and advocacy and service organizations beyond campus in order to advance spirituality, diversity, multicultural learning, and inclusive excellence.

About the Work Unit:
The Center for Spiritual and Religious Life leads spiritual and religious formation opportunities for students and other Vanderbilt community members; encourages the ongoing development of interfaith literacy and dialogue; promotes reflection on ethical questions and issues of values and purpose; and prepares students to lead in a religiously pluralistic world.

About Student Affairs:
Student Affairs serves a central role in student learning and development at Vanderbilt, advancing the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service. Student Affairs at Vanderbilt cultivates vibrant, inclusive communities that foster a student’s sense of belonging and wellbeing through collaborative partnerships, transformative learning experiences, and an accessible and holistic network of resources. We value connection, belonging, compassion, development, and innovation. Our staff are committed to continued growth in knowledge, awareness, skills, and experience engaging with these priorities in a higher education environment.

 

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Administration and Management

• Serve as a liaison to historically underrepresented religious and spiritual communities at Vanderbilt, including by collaborating with student and alumni groups that support various cultural, racial, spiritual and ethnic identities.
• Cultivate partnerships with local social impact organizations that support underserved religious and spiritual communities, fostering opportunities for collaboration, engagement, and mutual learning.
• Supervise undergraduate student workers and/or Divinity School interns, providing clear performance expectations, effective feedback, and development opportunities.
• Supervise financial management of student organization accounts and work with the Director to set department budget and management of expenses.
• Help provide vision, leadership and oversight for religious life at Vanderbilt.
• Help in the creation, development, and implementation of the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life strategic plan.
• Work on collaborative programing with campus partners, especially other offices in Communities and Belonging
• Represent CSRL on university committees.

Programmatic and Pastoral Functioning

• Support religious and non-religious members of the Vanderbilt campus by demonstrating openness to faith claims from all traditions.
• Ensure that all religious organizations and their professional representatives comply with the University’s policy on Solicitation and Religious Activities, as well as the University’s policy on nondiscrimination.
• Promote and support efforts that increase interfaith dialogue and encourage multi-faith encounters through purposeful programming.
• Provide pastoral counseling including response during times of crisis and critical need.
• Be available for one-to-one pastoral care, group reflection exercises, group bereavement support (in conjunction with GriefNet and the chaplains), and discussions on religious discernment and spiritual formation.
• Develop and manage spiritual retreats, community meditations, and/or prayer services.
• Design and implement an Interfaith Chaplain Assistants Program to support religious literacy, interfaith engagement, and student leadership development across diverse spiritual and cultural traditions.
• Develop and lead national and international student pilgrimages that explore the intersections of culture, spirituality, and religion, fostering experiential learning and intercultural understanding.
• Maintain membership with at least one national professional campus chaplaincy organization.
• Foster and maintain relationships with various religious communities throughout the city of Nashville and, when possible, engage in co