To apply for any of the positions listed on this page, please send a cover letter and resume to utsjobs@uts.columbia.edu and please indicate the specific job title in the subject line.
Union Theological Seminary is an Equal Opportunity Employer and acts in accordance with applicable laws in all of our hiring and employment practices. Union considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, ability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor under federal, state, or local law.
Questions?
Please contact Chief Human Resources Officer, Diana Torres-Petrilli | (212) 678-8011
Current Job Openings
Vice President for Administration and Secretary to the Board
Position Summary:
The Vice President for Administration and Secretary to the Board works directly with the President to effectively pursue the President’s agenda and manage the operations of the Executive Office.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Oversee the Executive Office
- Supervise the administrative staff in the Executive Office.
- Support the President in carrying out the mission and vision of the
- Drive the agendas for Executive Team and PAT Team
- Serve as an advisor to the
- Ongoing engagement of Student Senate Co-Chairs with President, Academic Dean and Dean of
- Work closely with the Office of Communications and Marketing, in conjunction with the
- Work closely with the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, in conjunction with the
- Work closely with the Senior Strategic Advisor to the President and hold regular check in meetings.
- Participate in President’s weekly meetings with VP for Finance and Operations
- Board Secretary
- Supervise organization of Board Meetings, Board Dinners, Drafting of Board Minutes and Board Packet.
- Convene Board Committee Meetings
- Trusteeship
- Recruitment – Board diversity/candidate pipeline
- Executive
- Strategic Planning
- Development
- Communications
- Organize and attend weekly meetings with the President, Chair and Vice Chair
General:
The Union Theological Seminary community is diverse not only in race, age, gender, and sexuality, but also in geography, background, perspective, denomination, and even faith traditions.
It is set in the urban environment of New York City, which is a microcosm of the world, a place where the local and the global intersect.
It enjoys cooperative relations with other academic, cultural and church institutions in the Morningside Heights/Harlem neighborhood, as well as in the greater New York area and elsewhere.
Union Theological Seminary, an equal opportunity employer, seeks a racially diverse, broadly representative faculty, staff, and student body that is sensitive to cross-cultural issues.
Director of Online and Distributive Learning
Position Summary:
Union Theological Seminary is currently developing online and hybrid educational pathways for new and existing programs and seeks a Director of Online and Distributive Learning with the experience needed to build our capacity for and our implementation of our emerging global programming. This includes helping to craft the vision for what is possible at Union and then leading and coordinating the wide range of activities related to the creation, design and delivery of that vision. The Director will report to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean and will both lead and work collaboratively with UTS faculty and staff in all aspects of vision-creation, design and implementation of this endeavor.
Initially, the Director will undertake the process of assessing Union’s online learning and technological needs and make recommendations about technologies, software, and applications for Union’s online learning environment. The Director will also need to be flexible enough to shift features of job description as programs develop and needs shift. This is a new area for Union, and we are eager to learn and to be led, and we are ready to adapt and change our understanding of this position as the work and direction of the office unfolds.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Lead the development and implementation of new on-line educational programs
- Facilitates application of the best principles of online/hybrid teaching in all courses of instruction
- Organize initiatives for online and hybrid programs and identify emerging trends in online/hybrid learning for both degree and non-degree education
- Provides/oversees ongoing support and training for faculty in online pedagogy and use of technology.
- Provides/oversees ongoing support and training for students in use of learning technology
- Coordinates with all the academic offices, faculty, admissions, communications and marketing in creating strategies and goals related to increasing enrollment and retention numbers
- Collaborates with communications and marketing to effectively promote new programs on multi-media platforms
- Applies highest standards for online/hybrid course design and delivery of a coordinated suite of learning management systems, (currently Moodle, Google Classroom, and Zoom).
- Helps identify and manage a variety of accessibility issues related to student need in an online/hybrid environment, working closely with Office of Student Affairs
- Partners with technology staff to support community-wide use of online applications
- Work to provide faculty and students smooth, intuitive, streamlined application processes
- Work to support instructors through the planning, development, assessment, and application phases of delivering online coursework
- Explores new technological concepts and techniques that may benefit instruction
- Builds cohorts of additional instructors through recruitment initiatives
- Maintains a working knowledge of best practices and appropriate regulations related to online learning
- Other duties as requested
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Has entrepreneurial skill and experience in (and excitement about!) developing new learning programs
- Business acumen; ability to assess market demand and evaluate the risk and return of potential new programs
- Has strong leadership and administrative skills, especially in building relationships with internal and externalconstituents
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Commitment to best practices and ongoing improvement in online/hybrid instructional design
- Experienced in interactive web-based design for educational coursework
- Strong project management skills, including the ability to prioritize work and meet
- Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills with a customer service orientation
- Expert knowledge of widely-used hardware, software applications, resources, and technologies
- Demonstrated ability to initiate, manage, and complete projects
Required Qualifications:
— Minimum of five years of experience working in instructional design and distance education at the level of higher education
— Master’s degree from an appropriately accredited college or university with significant experience in online education, student services, adult learning or related field is desirable, but not required.
— Graduate certificate in designing learning experiences preferred
— Experience developing and implementing on-line educational programs
— Knowledge in Instructional design, e-learning, media development, and training in multiple formats
— Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
— Ability to thrive in a small, community-orientated, highly esteemed, professional school environment
— Flexibility needed to try out new initiatives, and if they are not successful, change course and shift strategy.
Major and Planned Giving Officer
Position Summary:
The Major and Planned Giving Officer is a lead relationship and fund management position at Union Theological Seminary (“Union”) responsible for the planning, implementation, and execution of a strategy to attract major, planned, and legacy donors to partner with Union to fulfill their philanthropic and financial goals.
This position reports to the VP Development and Alumni/ae Relations and will work closely with the VP to expand Union’s relationships with current and prospective donors and professional advisors, educating them about Union philanthropic opportunities and charitable giving options
They will work to move current and prospective donors through the donor cycle including identifying, qualifying, engaging, evaluating, soliciting, recognizing and stewarding current and future major donors, planned giving prospects, and legacy donors.
Ideal Candidate:
Union is seeking a professional who is energized by being a critical member of a dynamic team helping to increase philanthropy at Union. The successful candidate must have the following:
- Deep commitment to philanthropy and higher education
- Proven fundraising success and 5 – 7 years of major gift and planned giving experience demonstrating initiative, self-motivation, and follow-through
- Technical and administrative self-sufficiency and high attention to detail are required to maintain a moves management system (Raisers Edge) for identified donor prospects
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
- Exceptional verbal and written communications skills
- Ability and willingness to manage multiple tasks and priorities
- Congenial personality, sense of humor, self-aware, flexible, resourceful, emotionally intelligent, confident, self-motivated, and results-oriented
Candidates with professional affiliations and CFP, CAP, and/or CFRE certifications preferred
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
- Respond to inquiries from prospects, donor representatives and professional advisors regarding major, planned, and legacy gifts.
- Work collaboratively with Union’s communication team to develop new print and online materials about charitable giving options for prospective donors and professional advisors
- Conduct professional advisor and donor research; and draft and prepare fund agreements
- Maintain a high level of expertise regarding state and federal taxes, gift and estate giving methods and the legal aspects of charitable giving
- Provide Professional Advisors Services- Solicit and schedule meetings with professional advisors to educate them about Union. This will include individual meetings, as well as small and large group meetings and presentations (they can be in person or virtual)
- Promptly and accurately respond to professional advisor requests for information about Union services and charitable giving options
- Identify new professional advisors and track contacts with advisors and client referrals Employ an effective major donor prospect management system, assuming a portfolio of prospects for cultivation and engagement with a goal of encouraging new charitable funds, the development and stewardship of legacy gifts, and support of Union and our initiatives
- Develop and implement the organizational strategy for donor, fund holder and professional advisor education and engagement in partnership with the President, EVP, and VP Development and Alumni/ae Relations
- In collaboration with the President, EVP and the VP of Finance, serve as primary contact with legal counsel on issues related to unusual or complex gifts. Update the gift acceptance policies as needed.
- Participate in recognition events for current donors and fund holders, professional advisors, and legacy donors.
- Help design and participate in targeted prospective donor and professional advisor educational programs.
- Participate in the creation of annual development department plans, goals and strategies.
- Attend staff meetings and serve on internal committees as appropriate.
- Contribute to Union publications and marketing materials by providing data, reports, content and proofreading as needed. Contribute to communications content, when appropriate, including impact reports, press releases, blog posts, op-eds, and letters to the editor.
- Represent Union at meetings and events which may occur during or outside of normal work hours.
- Participate in all aspects of the gift cycle – initiate contacts with potential leadership and major gift donors, develop appropriate cultivation strategies, move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward fund creation, and maintain stewardship contact with donors.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteer leadership, and professional advisors (attorneys, wealth advisors, accountants, and trust officers) to cultivate and expand current giving by planned gift donors.
- Oversee process of establishing new funds by assisting donors in selecting philanthropic interests that complement and enhance donors’ goals.
- Support the giving interests and practices of our donors and fund holders, creating rewarding experiences and high impact results.
- Plan, implement, and evaluate donor cultivation and stewardship events such as small gatherings, luncheons, cocktail events, and educational opportunities to build partnerships with donors.
- Maintain a broad understanding of Union Theological Seminary and use this knowledge to maintain relationships with current, new, and prospective donors and fund holders.
- Other duties as assigned.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
Enrollment Coordinator, Admissions and Financial Aid
Position Summary:
Reporting directly to the Vice President for Admissions and Financial Aid, the Enrollment Coordinator, Admissions and Financial Aid participates in the day-to-day operations of Union Theological Seminary’s admissions and financial aid office, which processes inquiries from prospective students to the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Master of Sacred Theology and doctoral programs for a nationally recognized theology program with an enrollment of approximately 250 students. Responsibilities include fielding general admissions and financial inquiries from prospective and current students, following up with incomplete admission and financial aid applications, entering enrollment and financial aid data into the college’s student information system, providing administrative support to the admissions, financial aid and enrollment process, and helping maintain records.
This position will be full time.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
Admissions Operations
- Provide student-centered, excellent customer service, welcoming students, faculty, and staff in person and through telephone and email
- Respond to daily mail, e-mail, telephone, and in-person requests from prospective students. Provide prospective students with guidance on completing admission, financial aid, and other related enrollment paperwork by assessing needs and asking appropriate questions.
- Receive enrollment documents submitted by students (applications, transcripts, test scores, financial aid supporting documents, etc.) in the student information system, evaluate for completion and forward to counterparts in the Registrar’s or Academic Office as needed.
- Communicate with all applicants that have started the application process about application components, timelines, and procedures and update them on what components we have received.
- Manage process to upload enrolled student data into the student information system and generate university identification numbers for all incoming students in a timely manner
- Prepare complete admissions applications for distribution to faculty admissions committee members.
Financial Aid Operations
- In conjunction with the Director of Financial Aid and Business Operations, process institutional scholarships, service positions, work study positions, teaching positions, awards, and stipends through PowerFAIDS for approximately 250 enrolled students.
- Collect, review, correct, and verify financial aid information. Research and resolve related problems. Track and maintain all financial aid records, including student loan promissory notes
- Advise current and prospective students on the financial aid process and matters concerning the cost of attending and available resources (application, eligibility, programs, etc.)
- Maintain a strong working knowledge of Federal and State financial aid programs, polices, and regulations
Administrative Support
- Provide general administrative support to the Vice President of Admissions and Financial Aid
- Assist with day-to-day administration and the school’s admissions or financial aid office.
Other responsibilities
- Maintain confidentiality of student records by following FERPA regulations, carefully monitoring student records at the workstation for security, and properly store all student records
- Maintain sensitivity, understanding and respect for a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, religious, and ethnic backgrounds
- When needed, participate in campus visitation programs, new student orientations, campus retention programs, and commencement events
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree required. Two years of experience required. Demonstrated accuracy in handling detailed work required. Demonstrated superior customer service and interpersonal skills and excellent written and oral communication skills required. Strong organizational skills required. Must demonstrate strong computer skills. Experience with PowerFAIDS preferred; experience with Salesforce EnrollmentRx and Blackbaud preferred. Excellent proofreading/editing skills required. Must be able to work under pressure on concurrent projects with frequent interruptions and minimal supervision.
Submission of a cover letter with a current resume is required.
Hiring Policy:
Union Theological Seminary, an equal opportunity employer, seeks a racially diverse, broadly representative faculty, staff, and student body that is sensitive to cross-cultural issues. The Union Theological Seminary community is diverse not only in race, age, gender, and sexuality, but also in geography, background, perspective, denomination, and even faith traditions. Union is set in the urban environment of New York City, which is a microcosm of the world, a place where the local and the global intersect. The seminary enjoys cooperative relations with other academic, cultural and church institutions in the Morningside Heights/Harlem neighborhood, as well as in the greater New York area and elsewhere.