Executive Director, Institute of Pastoral Studies

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process / until the position is filled. For best consideration, please apply by January 19, 2026.

Candidates should submit a current Curriculum Vitae and a letter of interest to www.careers.luc.edu. They also should provide the names and email addresses of three individuals prepared to speak to their professional qualifications for this position. References will not be contacted immediately but may be consulted at subsequent points in the review process.

Inquiries, nominations, and referrals should be submitted via email to:

Fr. Michael Rozier, SJ, PhD

Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives

Office of the Provost

Loyola University Chicago

Email: mrozier@luc.edu

As a Jesuit, Catholic institution of higher education, we seek candidates who will contribute to our strategic plan to deliver a Transformative Education in the Jesuit tradition. To learn more about Loyola University Chicago’s mission, candidates should consult our website at www.luc.edu/mission/. For information about the university’s focus on transformative education, they should consult our website at www.luc.edu/transformativeed.

 Position Details 

Job Title  | Executive Director, Institute of Pastoral Studies
Position Title  | Executive Director, Institute of Pastoral Studies
Position Number  |
Job Category  | University Faculty
Job Type  | Full-Time
FLSA Status  | Exempt
Campus  | Chicago-Water Tower Campus
Location Code  | INSTITUTE OF PASTORAL STUDIES (03200A)
Department Name  | INSTITUTE FOR PASTORAL STUDIES
Is this split and/or fully grant funded?  | No
Duties and Responsibilities  | Salary Range: $135,000 – $160,000
Benefits Information: https://www.luc.edu/hr/benefits/

Loyola University Chicago (Loyola) invites applications for the position of Executive Director of the Institute of Pastoral Studies (IPS). We seek an innovative leader who can guide a specialized academic unit and dedicated team through a period of strategic positioning and growth in the coming years. The preferred candidate will have experience leading and innovating in academic program administration and be truly excellent at relationship-building.

The Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola has, since its founding in 1964, played a pivotal role in shaping lay and ordained leadership for the Church, rooted in the Jesuit tradition of academic excellence and the faith that does justice. Emerging in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, IPS began as a summer program responding to the Church’s call for broader lay engagement and pastoral renewal. Over six decades, it has grown into a self-standing academic unit reporting directly to the Provost, with a history marked by theological rigor, pastoral innovation, and deep responsiveness to the changing realities of the Church and world. Loyola now seeks an innovative, collaborative, and mission-driven leader to serve as the next Executive Director of IPS.

Loyola enrolls more than 17,300 students, including over 12,400 undergraduates, and offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and 80 undergraduate minors, as well as more than 200 graduate and professional degree programs and certificates across its three campuses in the Chicago area (Lake Shore, Water Tower, and Health Sciences) and one campus in Rome (Loyola’s Rome Center).

The Executive Director will join the University at an exciting time and will have an opportunity to make an immediate and significant impact on the future. President Mark C. Reed, EdD, MBA, joined in October 2022 and Provost Douglas W. Woods, PhD, joined Loyola in 2024. In 2025, Loyola attained the highest research classification, Research 1 (R1), highlighting significant strides in the university’s research capacity and launched a new strategic plan, For the Greater Good (https://www.luc.edu/strategicplan/).

The Executive Director will join a dynamic and highly motivated team dedicated to serving the Loyola community. To help lead IPS into a new era of growth and impact, the next Executive Director will address the following opportunities and challenges: Finding creative solutions for enrollment challenges, particularly those tailored for graduate-level residential, online, and hybrid pastoral studies programs Creating a culture of meaningful connection between students, faculty, and staff, with special attention to a context where in-person and online teaching and learning co-exist Helping grow Loyola’s profile by effectively leveraging the strong relationships IPS has with the local and international Church Effectively advocating for IPS’s role within LUC’s educational, scholarly, and service missions Appreciating and enhancing the distinct elements of IPS’s mission, while maintaining a cohesive identify across the Institute Recruiting and supporting a group of faculty with a diverse set of skills and interests

Loyola’s strategic plan, For the Greater Good, provides the framework for the evolution of Loyola to a more research-intensive institution with a focus on transdisciplinary approaches to complex and urgent social problems.The plan is centered on four pillars:1. Deliver on the promise of a Jesuit education2. Elevate our reputation and external impact through research and engagement3. Deepen our Jesuit, Catholic culture4. Strengthen our institutional capacity for future growth

Leadership and MissionThe Executive Director will join Loyola at an exciting time under the leadership of President Mark C. Reed, EdD, MBA, who joined in October 2022. Dr. Reed’s career has focused on strengthening the institutions he has served, particularly in the areas of expanded academic programs, academic excellence and impactful research, strategic partnerships, university finances and endowment, student formation, and advancement of the Jesuit, Catholic mission. Provost Douglas W. Woods, PhD, joined Loyola in 2024 and is a strong advocate for an integrated educational experience that provides students with a foundational liberal arts and sciences core curriculum, complemented by knowledge and skills developed across a range of disciplines to prepare students for successful careers and lives.

The University has always been guided by its identity as Chicago’s Jesuit, Catholic institution of higher learning. Faculty, staff, students, and community hold great pride in pushing the mission forward by committing to the characteristics of Jesuit Higher Education, including leadership and public commitment to mission; the academic excellence; the pursuit of faith, justice, and reconciliation; promoting a welcoming campus culture; service to church; relationship to the Society of Jesus; and institutional integrity. More information on the mission integration can be found here: https://www.luc.edu/mission/.

About the Institute of Pastoral StudiesSince its founding in 1964, the Institute of Pastoral Studies (IPS) at Loyola University Chicago has played a pivotal role in shaping lay and ordained leadership for the Church, rooted in the Jesuit tradition of academic excellence and faith that does justice. Emerging in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, IPS began as a summer program responding to the Church’s call for broader lay engagement and pastoral renewal. Over six decades, it has evolved into a vibrant, self-standing academic unit reporting directly to the Provost – one marked by theological rigor, pastoral innovation, and responsiveness to the changing realities of the Church and the world. It remains a valuable part of Loyola’s academic portfolio and a unique academic unit within US Jesuit universities.

Today, IPS offers a wide range of mission-driven graduate programs in pastoral studies, counseling, spirituality, and social justice, alongside robust efforts in continuing education. These programs combine academic formation with spiritual, pastoral, and human development, including the MA in Pastoral Counseling, MA in Pastoral Studies (with multiple concentrations), MA in Christian Spirituality, MA in Social Justice, and the Master of Divinity, as well as certificates and dual-degree options in partnership with other Loyola schools. With many offerings available online or in hybrid formats, IPS serves a geographically diverse and professionally varied student body – faithful, curious, and committed individuals who become leaders in local, national, and international pastoral settings.

At the heart of IPS is a devoted community of faculty and staff who believe deeply in preparing the next generation of pastoral leaders through applied, contextual scholarship and mentorship rooted in Ignatian values. Their teaching and research cultivate pastoral imagination, spiritual depth, and intellectual excellence in an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and attentive to the gifts each person brings to this important work.

Through strong ecclesial and ecumenical relationships, IPS sustains considerable global outreach and engagement, advancing the Church’s mission through initiatives such as the Parish Leadership and Management programs, the Ignatian Wisdom Fellowship for adult vocational discernment, and the Miguel Pro, S.J. Pastoral Protagonism Initiative, which empowers Hispanic/Latinx ministry. The Institute also maintains a robust spiritual formation program that ensures graduates are not only professionally equipped but personally grounded and missionally inspired.

A unique part of Loyola University Chicago’s academic portfolio, IPS stands as both a site of missional activation and a place where questions of ultimate concern are engaged with intellectual honesty and spiritual depth. Its graduates serve across dioceses, parishes, nonprofits, and educational institutions, extending Loyola’s Jesuit mission in the life of the Church and a range of pastoral settings. For a prospective Executive Director, IPS represents a distinctive opportunity to lead an established yet evolving institution at the intersection of academic formation, spiritual leadership, and social transformation—one poised to expand its reach, deepen its partnerships, and continue forming pastoral leaders for a world in need of healing and hope.

Role of the Executive DirectorThe Executive Director will help uplift and define the next era of the Institute of Pastoral Studies and will address key strategic and operational priorities. To be successful in this role, the Executive Director will: Be mission-centered servant leader Collaborate with resourceful and committed faculty and staff to promote outstanding teaching, formation, scholarship and public engagement Creatively build relationships with members of Loyola’s council of Executive Directors and Provost leadership team Bring or build a reputation for leadership that enhances IPS’s role within the Archdiocese of Chicago, the US Church, the global Church, and IPS’s many ecumenical partners Identify and leverage alternative sources of revenue, including philanthropy and extramural grants Promote the financial health of the Institute by effectively manage resources Advance a strategic plan for IPS that builds upon the university’s strategic plan, with particular contributions to strengthening Loyola’s Jesuit, Catholic culture and delivering on the promise of a Jesuit education
Key Opportunities and Challenges for the Executive DirectorFinding creative solutions for enrollment challenges, particularly those tailored for graduate-level residential, online, and hybrid pastoral studies programsThe Executive Director will bring imagination and strategic vision to address enrollment dynamics in graduate theological education. IPS serves diverse learners—professionals discerning vocation, ministers deepening formation, and students seeking meaning in complex times. The opportunity lies in designing flexible, mission-driven pathways that meet contemporary learners where they are—through innovative online, hybrid, and residential programs. The next Executive Director will embrace data-informed decision-making while remaining grounded in Jesuit values, ensuring that recruitment and retention strategies reflect both academic rigor and the transformative character of pastoral formation.

Creating a culture of meaningful connection between students, faculty, and staff, with special attention to a context where in-person and online teaching and learning co-existIn a learning environment that blends in-person and online experiences, the Executive Director will cultivate a community rooted in authentic encounter and shared mission. IPS thrives when students, faculty, and staff feel supported and spiritually nourished. The Executive Director will champion initiatives that foster belonging and collaboration across platforms, ensuring that formation and community life remain hallmarks of the IPS experience. Grounded in Ignatian pedagogy, this work calls for creativity and empathy: building bridges across distance and difference to sustain a vibrant, inclusive culture of connection and shared purpose.

Helping grow Loyola’s profile by effectively leveraging the strong relationships IPS has with the local and international Church
IPS has longstanding relationships with local parishes, dioceses, and international Church networks. The next Executive Director will nurture these bonds while envisioning new partnerships that amplify Loyola’s global Jesuit mission. This role invites a leader who can translate the richness of Catholic intellectual and pastoral tradition into meaningful engagement with the Church, ecumenical partners, and society. By connecting IPS’s academic strengths with real-world pastoral needs, the Executive Director can help position Loyola as a leader in theological and ministerial formation – one that listens deeply, responds boldly to contemporary realities, and models faith seeking justice in action.

Effectively advocating for IPS’s role within LUC’s educational, scholarly, and service missionsAs a key academic leader, the Executive Director will articulate the distinctive contributions of pastoral studies within Loyola’s educational, scholarly, and service commitments. The opportunity lies in positioning IPS as a vital collaborator across the many thriving disciplines at Loyola – from social work to business to education and health sciences. The Executive Director will engage IPS’s natural institutional partners, including the theology department, the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage, and the division of Mission Integration, ensuring IPS’s voice helps shape the university’s unique response to a world in need. Together, IPS and its partners can effectively witness to the transformative power of Jesuit education and the enduring relevance of ministry and spirituality.

Appreciating and enhancing the distinct elements of IPS’s mission, while maintaining a cohesive identity across the InstituteThe Institute of Pastoral Studies has a deeply rooted mission and a history of responding to the signs of the times. The Executive Director will sustain this legacy by helping the community discern how best to live it in today’s context. This means embracing the diversity of IPS’s programs and people while offering a focused mission and a cohesive sense of identity and purpose. The Executive Director will provide the community with a sense of how IPS’s professional graduate programs, continuing education, scholarship, and service come together so that the sum is greater than its many excellent parts. Even more, this vision will reflect IPS’s unique Jesuit, Catholic contribution to the field of pastoral studies and prepare transformative leadership for today’s world.

Recruiting and supporting a group of faculty with a diverse set of skills and interestsFaculty are the lifeblood of IPS’s teaching and formation mission. The Executive Director will lead efforts to attract, develop, and retain scholars and practitioners who bring intellectual excellence, pastoral sensitivity, and a commitment to justice and inclusion. This opportunity involves cultivating a collegial environment that values interdisciplinary collaboration, pedagogical innovation, and spiritual depth. The next Executive Director will champion professional development and support for faculty at every stage, ensuring they are equipped to inspire students, advance scholarship, and embody the Ignatian ideal of forming persons for and with others.

Qualifications  | The Executive Director will have a doctorate and a record of excellence in administrative as well as recognition in scholarship, teaching, and/or pastoral care.Specific qualifications include: Ability to offer a vision for the future of IPS and to effectively lead a team to realize that vision; Familiarity with and love for Ignatian spirituality and the Jesuit mission of the faith that does justice, dialogue with cultures, and being ministers of reconciliation; Successful record as an academic leader and evidence of innovation in support of curricular development, instructional design, pedagogy, and scholarship across diverse disciplines; Experience with leading an academic unit through professional accreditation and interacting effectively with accrediting bodies; Proven effectiveness in ensuring a diverse student body is recruited, retained, and placed in post-graduation destinations of choice; Recognition for excellence of contributions to ecclesial, ministerial, and/or academic circles; A disposition that reflects the values of IPS, including creative, kind, open-minded, and hopeful; Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; Proven effectiveness in building relationships with benefactors and raising external funds to support unit priorities; Evidence of developing effective collaborations and relationships across campus constituencies, as well as with community partners and key stakeholders that extend beyond the campus community; Experience working with external stakeholders such as alumni, donors, Church leaders, and community partners Demonstrated experience effectively building budgets, managing resources, and generating new resources, including fundraising; and An adept and collaborative manager, who is able to prioritize, delegate, and motivate as well as support faculty and staff in ongoing professional development opportunities

Physical Demands  | None
Working Conditions  | None
Minimum Education and/or Work Experience  | The Executive Director will have a doctorate and a record of excellence in administrative as well as recognition in scholarship, teaching, and/or pastoral care.Specific qualifications include: Ability to offer a vision for the future of IPS and to effectively lead a team to realize that vision; Familiarity with and love for Ignatian spirituality and the Jesuit mission of the faith that does justice, dialogue with cultures, and being ministers of reconciliation; Successful record as an academic leader and evidence of innovation in support of curricular development, instructional design, pedagogy, and scholarship across diverse disciplines; Experience with leading an academic unit through professional accreditation and interacting effectively with accrediting bodies; Proven effectiveness in ensuring a diverse student body is recruited, retained, and placed in post-graduation destinations of choice; Recognition for excellence of contributions to ecclesial, ministerial, and/or academic circles; A disposition that reflects the values of IPS, including creative, kind, open-minded, and hopeful; Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; Proven effectiveness in building relationships with benefactors and raising external funds to support unit priorities; Evidence of developing effective collaborations and relationships across campus constituencies, as well as with community partners and key stakeholders that extend beyond the campus community; Experience working with external stakeholders such as alumni, donors, Church leaders, and community partners Demonstrated experience effectively building budgets, managing resources, and generating new resources, including fundraising; and An adept and collaborative manager, who is able to prioritize, delegate, and motivate as well as support faculty and staff in ongoing professional development opportunities
Open Date  | 11/20/2025
Close Date  |
Salary Range  | $135,000 - $160,000

Additional Salary Information  | This salary range is for a 12-month academic appointment. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on a range of factors including, but not limited to, the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree; training; field or discipline; budget availability; internal equity; and external market pay for comparable jobs. Salaries higher than the published maximums may be offered in limited circumstances.
Special Instructions to Applicants  | Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process / until the position is filled. For best consideration, please apply by January 19, 2026.
Candidates should submit a current Curriculum Vitae and a letter of interest to www.careers.luc.edu. They also should provide the names and email addresses of three individuals prepared to speak to their professional qualifications for this position. References will not be contacted immediately but may be consulted at subsequent points in the review process.Inquiries, nominations, and referrals should be submitted via email to:Fr. Michael Rozier, SJ, PhDVice Provost for Strategic InitiativesOffice of the ProvostLoyola University ChicagoEmail: mrozier@luc.edu

As a Jesuit, Catholic institution of higher education, we seek candidates who will contribute to our strategic plan to deliver a Transformative Education in the Jesuit tradition. To learn more about Loyola University Chicago’s mission, candidates should consult our website at www.luc.edu/mission/. For information about the university’s focus on transformative education, they should consult our website at www.luc.edu/transformativeed.

About Loyola University Chicago  | Founded in 1870, Loyola University Chicago is one of the nation’s largest Jesuit, Catholic universities, recognized for its academic excellence, commitment to community engagement, and leadership in sustainability. A Carnegie R1 research institution, Loyola leverages its status as one of an elite group of universities with the highest level of research activity to advance knowledge that serves communities and creates global impact. With 15 schools, colleges, and institutes—including Business, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences—Loyola operates three primary campuses in the greater Chicago area and one in Rome, Italy, that provide students a transformative, globally connected learning experience. Consistently ranked among the nation’s top universities by U.S. News & World Report, Loyola is a STARS Gold-rated institution that is ranked as one of the country’s most sustainable campuses by The Princeton Review and has earned distinctions from AmeriCorps and the Carnegie Foundation for its longstanding record of service and community engagement. Guided by its Jesuit mission and commitment to caring for the whole person, Loyola educates ethical leaders who think critically, act with purpose, and strive to create a more just and sustainable world.

Loyola University Chicago strives to be an employer of choice by offering its staff and faculty a wide array of affordable, comprehensive, and competitive benefits. To view our benefits in detail, click here.

Loyola adheres to all applicable federal, state, and/or local civil rights laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in private institutions of higher education. Please see the University’s Nondiscrimination Policy.
Quick Link for Posting  | https://www.careers.luc.edu/postings/34230
Job Number  | 8102216
Organizational Location  | PROVOST

Posting Details

 Posting Detail 

Number of Vacancies  | 1
Desired Start Date  | 07/01/2026
Position End Date  |
Open Until Filled  | Yes

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