Executive Director of Black Church Leadership

Denver Seminary; Colorado; On-site; USD 80,554 - 104,311; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Denver Seminary is seeking an Executive Director of Black Church Leadership to guide strategic programming and partnerships across multiple campuses. The role will strengthen ties with historically Black and multi-ethnic congregations and lead initiatives that connect non‑degree training with graduate education.

The position requires a terminal or master’s degree, strong leadership, and a track record in ministry partnerships.

Qualifications

• Committed personal relationship with Jesus Christ required and a lifestyle consistent with the Seminary’s Community Values and Behavioral Commitments.
• Agreement with Denver Seminary’s full Statement of Faith and Statement on Human Sexuality.
• Exceptional communication and problem-solving skills, including interpersonal skills, public speaking, writing, small group facilitation, active listening and conflict resolution.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic educational resources and programming reflecting Denver Seminary’s evangelical beliefs and mission.
• Regular presence in Black Church and multi-ethnic congregational communities for partnership development and institutional representation.
• Quarterly travel (at a minimum) to Washington, D.C. for on-site leadership, relationship cultivation, and program coordination.
• Create reciprocal partnerships with Black Church and multi-ethnic church communities and grow the Lay Ministry certificate program.
• Work with ESS to expand Lay Ministry Program matriculation into graduate degree programs.
• Supervise the Washington D.C. Campus director and coordinate efforts with the Lay Ministry Program to matriculate graduates into degree programs.
• Direct the budget for Black Church Initiatives with focus on program development, partnerships, and student support.
• Recruit, hire, and support adjunct faculty for Black Church programming.

Skills

Public speaking

Communication

Leadership

Conflict resolution

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s degree

Terminal degree

Job description

Job Title: Executive Director of Black Church Leadership

Reports To: Provost

Location: Hybrid

Pay: $80,554.00 – $104,311.00

About Denver Seminary

Denver Seminary is a multidenominational graduate school committed to preparing men and women to engage the needs of the world with the redemptive power of the gospel and the life‑changing truth of Scripture. Through rigorous educational programs and a mentoring‑focused community, the Seminary challenges students to grow spiritually, intellectually, and professionally, equipping them to lead God’s people in accomplishing His mission in the world.

General Statement of Job Function

The Executive Director of Black Church Leadership serves as a visionary steward and relational catalyst, called to fortify the leadership of historically Black and multi‑ethnic congregations by bridging the gap between traditional theological education and the lived experience of the Black Church. Rooted in Denver Seminary’s core commitments, this role honors the resilience and spiritual legacy of these faith communities by establishing seamless, spirit‑led pathways for leaders to transition from non‑degree training to graduate‑level excellence. By collaborating across Advancement and Enrollment offices, the Executive Director ensures that “faithful gospel ministry” is not just an academic goal, but a lived reality of reconciliation and empowerment that equips a new generation to flourish in their divine calling for the glory of God. The reporting relationship to the VPAA/Academic Dean considers significant work with and input from the leadership of the Advancement and Enrollment and Student Success (ESS) offices.

Essential Functions

• Develop strategic educational resources and programming reflecting Denver Seminary’s evangelical beliefs and mission
• Regular presence in Black Church and multi‑ethnic congregational communities for partnership development and institutional representation
• Quarterly travel (at a minimum) to Washington, D.C. for on‑site leadership, relationship cultivation, and program coordination.
• Create reciprocal partnerships where Denver Seminary both contributes to and learns from Black Church and multi‑ethnic church communities. Foundational to these partnerships is the growth and enhancement of the Denver Seminary Lay Ministry certificate program
• Work with the leadership of ESS to create pathways for expanding the number of students in the Lay Ministry Program to matriculate into graduate degree programs
• Supervise the Washington D.C. Campus director and Community Liaison or other D.C. staff to coordinate efforts of that campus with the Lay Ministry Program to encourage and empower Lay Ministry graduates to matriculate into degree programs with the D.C. campus.
• Direct the budget for Black Church Initiatives with strategic focus on program development, partnerships, and student support.
• Recruit, hire, and support adjunct faculty to serve in Black Church programming.
• Develop partnerships, negotiate agreements, and represent the Christian beliefs and mission of the seminary in the Black Church.
• Initiate and shape institutional policies that affect students and partnerships related to the Black Church.
• Work with the Advancement department in developing scholarship support and financial pathways that honor the financial realities facing students called to Black Church or multi‑ethnic congregation ministry.
• Oversee the Urban Track of the Lilly Pathways grant.
  • Based on research that identified the unique needs, opportunities, challenges, and best practices for providing contextually appropriate theological education to Black Churches, implement the design for graduate credit‑based theological education proposals that will respond to the learnings of the research phase with appropriate content, delivery modalities, faculty selection, and price structures.
  • Lead the implementation and assessment of all new theological education initiatives for Black Churches with a view toward refinement and sustainability of those programs.
  • Nurture relationships with the partners cultivated in the grant. Through this, cultivate a network of scholar‑practitioners who bring Black Church wisdom and experience into Denver Seminary’s teaching community.
• Other duties as assigned and as required by nature of the position

Education/Training

• Terminal degree preferred
• Master’s degree required and a minimum of 3 years ministry leadership experience in a multicultural or Black Church setting. Ordination preferred.
• Demonstrated success building theological education partnerships in Black Church contexts. Familiarity with Denver Seminary’s mission and culture preferred but not required.

Qualifications

• Committed personal relationship with Jesus Christ required and a lifestyle consistent with the Seminary’s Community Values and Behavioral Commitments.
• Agreement with Denver Seminary’s full Statement of Faith and Statement on Human Sexuality.
• Exceptional communication and problem‑solving skills, including interpersonal skills, public speaking, writing, small group facilitation, active listening and conflict resolution, as this position will involve public presentations and meeting with groups and individuals in a broad range of both internal and external constituencies.
• Strong leadership and collaborative skills and an in‑depth perspective on organizational change to move a strategic agenda through the seminary community and create a team approach to cultural change.
• A highly self‑motivated individual who can work with minimal direct supervision.
• Able to work with a wide variety of people and personalities and respond gracefully and professionally in high‑pressure situations.
• All employees will cooperate with internal investigations (such as Title IX or workplace issues) and with any legal proceedings (administrative, licensing, or court). Employees with administrative responsibilities may additional responsibilities for leadership and active participation with any legal proceedings involving the Seminary.

Denver Seminary’s Charter centers on resurrection hope as the foundation for forming faithful, courageous, intelligent leaders. The Executive Director of Black Church Leadership Initiatives embodies this commitment by partnering with communities that have sustained resurrection hope through challenge. This role ensures that Denver Seminary learns from, contributes to, and faithfully serves the formation of leaders for Black Church and multi‑ethnic congregations—not as constituency outreach but as essential expression of our institutional Charter, mission, core commitments, and theology, particularly our commitment to Global Concern and God’s heart for the redemption of all peoples

Denver Seminary prepares men and women to engage the needs of the world with the redemptive power of the gospel and the life‑changing truth of Scripture. Through our educational programs and mentoring process, the Seminary challenges students to grow spiritually, intellectually, and professionally in order to lead God’s people in the accomplishment of His mission in the world. The Executive Director of Black Church Leadership Initiatives supports this mission by achieving the following outcomes.

Outcomes

• Measurable increase in student enrollment in Denver Seminary graduate programs by students intentionally headed for ministry Black Church or multi‑ethnic congregational settings
• Development of partnership agreements with Black Church denominations, networks, and institutions
• Successful matriculation of Lay Ministry Certificate students into degree programs
• Demonstrable culture improvements in faculty development participation, curricular integration, and student satisfaction measures
• Collaborative identification of appropriate learning outcomes, curricular plans, delivery modalities, student support structures, and assessment processes for new or redesigned degree programs.

Typical Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Normal office working conditions, including computer usage, may require occasional standing, walking, long periods of sitting, climbing stairs, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Equal Opportunity & Faith Commitment

Denver Seminary is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence in all areas of ministry and operations. As a faith‑based institution, Denver Seminary exercises its legal rights to prefer candidates who affirm and support our Statement of Faith and Community Values, consistent with applicable religious exemptions under federal law.

Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Applicants who require accommodation during the application process should contact Human Resources.

Note: Employment is contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in the United States and successful completion of a background check.

Location: Please note that this is a Colorado-based role with a hybrid structure, consisting of three days on‑site and two days working remotely.

Submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your interest in the role and alignment with Denver Seminary’s mission to [e-mail].

Application Deadline: Friday, April 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time (MT).

Applications received after the deadline may not be considered.