Project Director: Ecumenical Shared Min. Training

Project Director: Ecumenical Shared Ministries Training Program

Job Description: Project Director, Ecumenical Shared Ministries Training Program
Institution: Atlantic School of Theology (AST) on behalf of the ESMTP Collaboration Advisory Group
Reports To: Academic Dean
Supported by: The ESMTP Advisory Group
Salary Range: $77,000 - $82,2000/year to start
Position type: Five-year, full-time position. In person in Halifax and/or remote. Significant travel within Canada and the United States will be required. Working hours will include evening and weekend work.
Benefits: Extended health and dental benefits, pension, flexible working arrangements and extended vacation are included in the benefits package.
Start Date: July 1, 2026 negotiable

Are you someone who comes alive at the intersection of ministry, education, and ecumenical collaboration? Are you energized by building something new? This role will give you the opportunity to shape a national program from the ground up.

The successful applicant is a leader who thrives in relationship‑building across denominations and regions, who is curious about the evolving landscape of the church, and who sees ecumenical shared ministry as a hopeful, practical response to that change. They enjoy weaving together academic rigour, administrative coordination, and theological imagination, and they value working with partners who bring different traditions, cultures, and perspectives.

Above all, they find purpose in strengthening the church’s capacity for collaborative, context‑responsive ministry and are motivated by the chance to guide a project that could shape leadership formation across Canada for years to come.

The Ecumenical Shared Ministries Training Program is a new initiative of Atlantic School of Theology (Halifax) in collaboration with the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism (Saskatoon), St John’s College (Winnipeg), Saint Paul University (Ottawa), Henry Budd College for Ministry (he Pas, M.B.), and the Canadian Council of Churches. The five-year project will include consultations with ESM practitioners, the creation of three streams of curriculum for ESM leadership training (for students, for professional development, and for judicatory leaders), and at least one year-long cohort taking part in the program as a pilot.

The Project Director is a full-time position for five years, with responsibilities in administration and teaching (subject to qualifications).

The Project Director will be an enthusiastic leader, knowledgeable of the current context of the Christian church in Canada and, more broadly, North America. The Director will be comfortable working ecumenically in academic and ecclesiastical contexts with adult learners of various ages and a variety of life experiences and educational backgrounds.

Responsibilities

The position fulfills two critical functions: 1) direction of Ecumenical Shared Ministries Training Program and 2) teaching and research responsibilities, contributing to the overall work of the university and conditional upon qualifications.

The Director will be responsible for all the arrangements for this new program, including but not limited to the following:

Working with an Advisory Group to support the work of Ecumenical Shared Ministries Training Program, including the terms of reference and the scope and sequence of work to be explored and programs to be offered.
Establishing the administrative office and hiring an administrator and contract staff (regional director, curriculum developer)
Developing the branding and modes of communication (email, website, etc.). Exploration of the possibility of micro-credentials.
Working with existing programs, faculty, and staff of AST and the collaborators to gather existing resources and develop the new programs.
Establishing and strengthening relations with collaborators (including their faculty and staff as appropriate) and judicatories of participating denominations, both national and regional.
Initiate, plan, and implement programming including the selection and contracting of instructors at various institutions as well as planning educational events directly.
Overseeing the learning environment, providing opportunities for feedback and evaluation of programs.
Managing the budget of the project, working with the financial staff of AST.
Liaison with the Pathways Program of the Lilly Endowment Inc. foundation, including the preparation of annual reports.

Qualifications

Given the academic responsibilities of this position, the person will have appropriate degree(s) and professional experience. Given the administrative responsibilities, particular skills in planning, budget development, human resources, and the utilization of a variety of technologies for use in educational planning, delivery and administration are needed. The person must have the ability to take initiative, manage time and multiple tasks effectively, and work creatively and collegially with others in an ecumenical context in the development and coordination of programming. The Director will have qualifications, as described, but not limited to, the following:

Experience in pastoral leadership and in ecumenical contexts, in a Christian community, or a similar leadership position.
Understanding of critical issues facing the church and ministry today.
Understanding and appreciation of the need for and the diverse vocational contexts of learners (lay and ordained, paid and non-stipendiary).
Experience in leadership theory and practice, theological reflection, mentoring, and reflective practice.
Ability to provide leadership in an increasingly multidenominational and intercultural context.
Commitment to the work of theological integration.
Commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action pertaining to theological education.
Knowledgeable of the Christian church in the Atlantic Region, Canada and North America.
Membership in one of the member churches of the Canadian Council of Churches.
Graduate education commensurate with the expectations of working in an academic and ecclesial context.
Application Deadline: May 22, 2026
Applications and all communication about this posting should be sent to president@astheology.ns.ca