Director of the Wesley Foundation at The College of William & Mary

Director of the Wesley Foundation at The College of William & Mary

Reports to: The Director of Lay Leadership Development of the Virginia Annual Conference of the UMC

Hours: 12 months, 40 hours/week, exempt

The duties of the Wesley Foundation Director include 

• Strategic leadership of the overall ministry with students at William & Mary, working with the Board of Directors and student leaders to ensure a meaningful ministry that fulfills the Virginia Annual Conference’s campus ministry values: welcome and inclusion; service, including works of mercy and works of justice; discipleship, including helping students connect with opportunities for worship; and leadership development, including vocational discernment.     

The current program includes Sunday night program (dinner and large group), weekly worship and communion, a student-led small group, fall and spring break service-driven events/trips, and occasional fellowship and local outreach activities. Additionally, the Director partners with the Office/House Manager to provide mentoring and oversight for the Wesley Residential Community. 

The director is empowered to work with the Board of Directors and the Student Leadership Team to adapt programming to the current needs, calling, and gifts of students involved in the ministry. 

• Provide pastoral care and support for students.
• Develop, equip, and partner with the Student Leadership Team to program and implement the full scope of the ministry, including a summer and winter planning retreat, as well as weekly meetings during the semester.
• Work with the Board of Directors to increase board membership and the board’s involvement in supporting the ministry.
• Collaborate with the Office Manager/House Manager and property representative from the Board of Directors to address routine and unforeseen maintenance or repairs related to the ministry building and residence.
• Partner with the Wesley Development Team to enhance fundraising efforts and cultivate deeper relationships with alumni/ae.
• Partner with local churches, particularly United Methodist Churches, in the area to give them an avenue for ministry with college students. 
• Supervision of staff hired by the Wesley Foundation, including the Office Manager/House Manager.
• Serve as a liaison and bridge builder between the Wesley Foundation and the faculty, staff, and students of William & Mary. The school requires the Director to serve on Campus Ministers United (CMU) in covenant with interfaith and ecumenical partners. Attendance at monthly CMU meetings is expected in addition to monthly meetings of the Student Affairs Division.
• Ensure proper reporting to the Virginia Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministries, and fulfill all requirements of a campus minister as required by the BHECM’s Campus Ministry Handbook. 
• Serve on District or Conference boards or committees as requested to streamline campus ministry representation. This may include pulpit supply requests. 

Qualifications:

• Strong organizational and human relations skills
• Training and skills in planning and leading Bible studies, small groups, worship, missions and service opportunities
• A strong calling to work with college-aged students
• Strong knowledge of United Methodist theology, polity, doctrine, and values
• Adaptability
• Ability to establish and maintain clear boundaries while also seeking opportunities to encourage shared ministry between Wesley and local church partners 
• Experience leading in youth or young adult ministry or campus ministry settings, preferred
• Has gifts in team building, community organizing, relationship building both with students and partner organizations and churches
• has experience with organizational leadership, strategic planning, and fundraising 
• has experience leading and supporting staff
• is knowledgeable about developing alumni relationships
• has experience working within The United Methodist connection, including Conference and General Church organizations
• is equipped to provide pastoral care, counseling, and spiritual direction to individuals
• has experience with online ministry and creating social media platforms and engagement including Facebook, Instagram and website design
• An M.Div. (Master of Divinity) degree and clergy status in the UMC preferred.  

Salary and Benefits:

This is a full-time, exempt ministry position. Salary commensurate with experience and (if applicable) clergy status in the United Methodist Church. For UMC clergy, this ministry serves as a full-time appointment with full clergy benefits (housing allowance, health insurance, retirement contribution). With respect to this position, United Methodist clergy applicants are ultimately accountable to the appointment authority of the bishop. The hiring process will be subject to the appointment process. For laity, the benefits package will include retirement contributions and support for health insurance coverage, as provided for lay employees of the Virginia Annual Conference. 

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume, including the names, email addresses, and phone numbers for three references, using this link. Please contact Janet Henke (janhenke@cox.net) for more information.