Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean

Saint Paul School of Theology; Leawood (KS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean at Saint Paul School of Theology in Leawood, Kansas, leads the seminary's academic mission across Kansas, Oklahoma, and online programs. This Chief Academic Officer reports to the President and guides faculty, curriculum, policy, assessment, and accreditation with a Wesleyan, faith-centered focus.

Ideal candidates have integrative leadership in on-campus and online settings, demonstrate collaboration with faculty and staff, advance curricular

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in a theological discipline preferred.
• Proven record of leadership in academic settings.
• Experience with governance, accreditation, and curriculum planning.
• Commitment to Wesleyan theology and social holiness.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and administrative leadership for the academic mission.
• Oversee curriculum, policy, assessment, and accreditation.
• Lead faculty development and shared governance across campuses.
• Align academic priorities with enrollment and finances.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Academic governance

Curriculum development

Faculty collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Budget management

Accreditation compliance

Student success focus

Wesleyan commitment

Education

Ph.D. in theological discipline

Tools

Academic administration software

Job description

Campus Locations: Leawood, Kansas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Job Overview and Summary

The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean serves as the Chief Academic Officer of Saint Paul School of Theology and provides strategic and administrative leadership for the Seminary's academic mission across its Kansas and Oklahoma locations and online learning environments. Reporting to the President and serving on the senior leadership team, the VPAAD provides leadership across faculty, curriculum, academic policy, assessment, accreditation, academic planning, and educational quality.

Working collaboratively with the faculty and through established structures of shared governance, the VPAAD advances an academically rigorous, contextually responsive, and distinctly Wesleyan vision for theological education. The VPAAD also works collaboratively with the President and other institutional leaders to align academic priorities with enrollment, financial resources, institutional strategy, and the evolving needs of the Church and communities SPST serves.

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• A record of strong integrative leadership in on-campus and online environments, preferably in a seminary context.
• Demonstrated experience with community-building and communication that support interpersonal relationships.
• Practiced leadership through collaboration, consultation, and shared problem-solving with respect for the expertise of faculty and staff, including building partnerships with staff to address intersecting responsibilities.
• An articulate understanding of academic excellence and student success as institution-wide responsibilities.
• Evidence of strategic, innovative curricular leadership addressing and responding to the changing contexts of the Church and world.
• A vibrant Christian faith and commitment to personal and social holiness.
• Active participation in a denomination or congregation within the Wesleyan movement; denominational connection to The United Methodist Church preferred.
• Experience with pastoral and spiritual mentoring; preference for ecclesial leadership experience.
• Proven ability to adapt to innovative technological resources used for administration and teaching/learning in higher education; preferred experience with multi-campus, hybrid, and online educational modalities.
• Record of excellence in classroom teaching, productive scholarship (evidenced by research and publications), and a passion for academic leadership.
• Commitment to social justice and demonstrated experience promoting a variety of cultural and theological perspectives in the pursuit of theological education.
• Strong attention to detail and proven ability to facilitate committee work, create and implement policies, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with accreditation standards and compliance requirements.

Education

The qualified candidate will possess a doctoral degree, Ph.D. or equivalent in a theological discipline preferred.

Office Location

The VPAAD will be located at the Saint Paul campus in Leawood, KS (part of the Kansas City metropolitan area).

Compensation

Comparable to other freestanding seminaries with similar student enrollments and endowments.

Additional Information

• Student Handbook 20026-2027: https://simplebooklet.com/august6deanapproved20262027#page=1
• Strategic Plan: https://www.spst.edu/strategic-planning/

Saint Paul is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military service, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.