About this opportunity
Indiana Wesleyan University lists this Dean of the Faculty - Wesley Seminary opportunity in northern, Kentucky. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
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Dean of the Faculty - Wesley Seminary
Job no:
Work type: Administrative (Full Time)
Location: Marion, IN
Categories: Administrative/Professional
Job Title: Dean of the Faculty - Wesley Seminary
Reporting Relationship: Executive Vice President of Wesley Seminary
Unit: Wesley Seminary
Department: Seminary Administration-Wesley Seminary
The Dean of the Faculty serves as the chief academic and faculty leader of Wesley Seminary, providing vision, leadership, and oversight for academic quality, faculty development, curriculum, and program innovation. The Dean partners closely with the EVP, the Chief Academic Officer (CAO), and the Director of Academic Services to ensure that the Seminary’s academic programs are missionally grounded, academically rigorous, innovative, and responsive to the needs of the global Church and Christian community, with special emphasis on the Wesleyan denomination and the broader Wesleyan-Arminian tradition. This role is primarily academic and strategic, with a focus on people, programs, and educational excellence. The Dean shares responsibility for academic innovation, institutional representation, and academic partnerships while collaborating cross-functionally to support the Seminary’s broader mission and strategic priorities.
Duties and Responsibilities
Faculty Leadership and DevelopmentProvide leadership for a healthy, collaborative, and mission-centered faculty culture
Oversee faculty recruitment, hiring, mentoring, evaluation, promotion, and annual reviews
Encourage faculty growth in teaching excellence, scholarship, and professional development
Support faculty spiritual formation and missional engagement
Lead faculty meetings and facilitate shared governance processes
Collaborate with recruitment leadership to utilize faculty at strategic points in the recruitment process
Academic Quality and Curriculum OversightProvide oversight for curriculum development, review, and continuous improvement
Ensure academic programs meet graduate theological education standards and reflect Wesley Seminary’s mission and theological commitments
Lead program assessment processes in collaboration with the faculty and Academic Services
Support innovative teaching practices and pedagogical excellence
Program Innovation and DevelopmentIn coordination with the CAO and in partnership with the EVP, identify, design, and launch new academic programs, credentials, and delivery models to drive enrollment growth and meet the ministry's evolving needs
Encourage faculty participation in program innovation and emerging ministry needs
Provide academic leadership in shaping proposals for new programs and program modifications
Academic Strategy and PlanningServe as a key contributor to Seminary-wide academic strategy and long-term planning
Advise the EVP on academic trends, faculty capacity, and strategic opportunities
Participate in decisions and activities related to program growth, consolidation, or closure
Institutional RepresentationRepresent Wesley Seminary in denominational, church, and selected external academic contexts where academic leadership and faculty voice are essential and can contribute to enrollment
Serve as an ambassador for the Seminary’s academic vision and mission in collaboration with the EVP, CAO, and the VP of Enrollment
Academic PartnershipsAssist in cultivating and sustaining academic partnerships with seminaries, universities, churches, and ministry organizations
Provide academic oversight and faculty engagement for partnership initiatives
Collaborate with executive leadership to ensure partnerships are academically sound and missionally aligned
Cross-Functional CollaborationWork closely with the Director of Academic Services to ensure strong alignment between academic vision and academic operations
Collaborate with Admissions, Advancement, Learning Innovation, IT, and University partners to support student success, enrollment growth, and program sustainability
Serve as a bridge between faculty and administrative teams, ensuring effective communication and integration of academic priorities
Accreditation Support (Academic Leadership Role)In collaboration with the CAO (responsible for accreditation execution and reporting), provide academic leadership and faculty oversight for accreditation processes (ATS, HLC, and related bodies)
Review and validate academic components of accreditation reports
Prepare faculty for accreditation visits and evaluations
Teaching and ScholarshipTeach in areas of expertise as appropriate (typically limited to 1–2 courses annually)
Maintain scholarly engagement consistent with faculty rank and Seminary expectations
Other ResponsibilitiesFulfill additional academic leadership responsibilities as assigned by the EVP, consistent with the scope and purpose of the role
Supervisory ResponsibilityProvide leadership and supervision to any part-time or full-time:Faculty
Assistant Dean
Academic Program Directors
Faculty Administrative Assistant
Qualifications: According to Indiana Wesleyan University employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.
Education
Terminal degree (Ph.D., Th.D., Ed.D., D.Min., or equivalent) in theology, ministry, religious studies, or a closely related field
Experience
Demonstrated excellence in teaching at the graduate level
Academic leadership experience (e.g., Program Director, Department Chair, Associate Dean, or equivalent)
Experience in curriculum development and program assessment
Familiarity with ATS standards and theological education accreditation
Required Skills
Deep Christian faith aligned with the mission and values of Wesley Seminary and The Wesleyan Church
Collaborative, relational, and servant-hearted leadership style
Strong communication and organizational skills
Commitment to Kingdom diversity, global Christianity, and accessible theological education
Visionary and innovative mindset balanced with academic rigor and integrity
IWU Kingdom Diversity Statement
IWU, in covenant with God's reconciling work and in accordance with the Biblical principles of our historic Wesleyan tradition, commits to build a community that reflects Kingdom diversity. We will foster an intentional environment for living, teaching and learning, which exhibits honor, respect, and dignity. Acknowledging visible or invisible differences, our community authentically values each member's earthly and eternal worth. We refute ignorance and isolation and embrace deliberate and courageous engagement that exhibits Christ's commandment to love all humankind.
LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER
As a religious educational institution operating under the auspices of The Wesleyan Church, Indiana Wesleyan University is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees on the basis of religion (42 U.S.C., Sections 2000e-1 and 2000e-2).
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.
Advertised: 31 Jan 2026 US Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 20 Sep 2026 US Eastern Daylight Time
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Who can apply
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