The Vice President of Religion is responsible for leadership of all worship, faith/ethics-based programming, ecumenical interfaith communication, and mediation of same in the international, national, regional, local and Chautauqua communities. Reporting to the Senior Vice President & Chief Program Officer, this incumbent serves as a member of the President’s executive staff and participates in Institution-wide strategic planning in service to a broad new vision of deep external engagement and thought leadership. The Vice President of Religion oversees the creation of a robust religion program during Chautauqua’s summer assembly season and is the architect of a new year-round set of programs and partnerships to ensure Chautauqua’s religion pillar is a differentiator of the Chautauqua brand.
The Department of Religion, through the leadership and direction of the Department of Program, collaborates on the strategic delivery of the Institution’s vision and mission as aligned through our core pillars in the Arts, Education, Religion, and Recreation. The Department of Religion provides a wide variety of worship services and programs to community residents and patrons that express Christian heritage and an interfaith commitment in spirit and practice.
About Your Work
Strategic Thinking and Planning
- Under the leadership and direction of the Senior Vice President of Program, and with the regular dialogue and input of the executive staff, set the strategic plans and objectives for the Department of Religion, and translate the same into action aligned with the 150 Forward Strategic Plan.
- Establish a course for revitalizing Religion as a core pillar of the Chautauqua experience and establishing a long-range plan to grow the department as a key differentiator of the Chautauqua brand.
- Oversee Department elements of the Institution’s strategic vision with an emphasis on interfaith engagement, optimizing the summer assembly season, and growing out Chautauqua’s year-round presence in the Religion space.
- Provide strategic, operational, and change leadership for staff (or ‘talent’) to deliver on the goals and objectives of the Institution and the Department of Religion. In partnership with Human Resources, ensure engagement and development of talent and manage performance/succession. Direct reports include Director of Religion, Senior Chaplin (overseeing the Director of Music and Worship/Organist), Administrative Assistant, Department of Religion, and select talent performing work on a seasonal basis.
- Cultivate strategic partnerships with organizations that share Chautauqua’s values and commitment to interfaith engagement in the world.
- Participate in the cross-cutting strategic imperative for mobilization of technology to use web-based solutions, such as media, social, or other innovations to promote the work of and extend the reach of the Department of Religion.
- Expand off-season programming in line with Chautauqua’s strategic plan.
Religion Programming
- Oversee the work of the Director of Religion and the Senior Pastor in constructing a robust summer assembly season of religion programming in concert with the overall Program team. This includes Chautauqua’s signature Interfaith Lecture Series, its Chaplain of the Week program, and affiliated religion programming.
- Lead the construction of weekly themes in religion that mirror/complement the morning lecture series.
- Oversee/administer all other faith and spiritual programming including memorial services and other religious celebrations through the work of the Senior Chaplain.
- Manage relationships and facilitate denominational religious programming.
- Serve as point person for any new denominational houses that are currently not represented at Chautauqua and foster organizing efforts for this and or other interfaith gathering spaces.
- Oversee and perform targeted outreach to local and national faith communities, as well as educational and social action organizations, seeking to be invited to lead and participate in worship, present programs and serve on panels exploring religious, spiritual, and ethical issues.
Other Responsibilities
- Network with and travel as directed/needed to maintain a meaningful dialogue with Chautauqua donors, Board members, and religious or opinion
- Create and Chair a new volunteer advisory group, the President’s Advisory Council on Faith in Society.
- Together with the Office of Advancement, explore and execute funding opportunities to benefit the Department and Chautauqua
- Support the knitting together of differing viewpoints through arts, education, religion, and recreation.
- Pursue continuing education and learning, especially in helping persons of all faiths and none satisfy the natural curiosity to understand while seeking Truth.
Experience
- Demonstrated education, practice, and competency in the religion space, including delivering and/or fostering faith and ethics-based programming for diverse audiences through interfaith dialogue and engagement is required.
- Proven experience in professional networking at a national or global level for strategic, mission, or philanthropic endeavors is required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- A life-long learner in philosophy and theology who is eager to maintain experience in knowledge in religion and its basic principles, values, ethics, customs, practices, and its impact on human culture.
- Active listening and effective communication to place careful attention on dialogue and develop understanding, make decisions or share information with broad audiences, and engage diverse communities on complex topics.
- Logic and reasoning to understand complex challenges, extract relevant information, apply that information to effective solutions, and recommend strategies.
- Emotional intelligence and social perceptiveness to understand people and communities, gauge reactions, create shared dialogue, influence behaviors, and build or foster relationships.
- Thought leader of IDEA with genuine respect and appreciation for all people and all faiths (or none).
- Ability to apply management principles for leadership in executing strategic and operational objectives, budget and resource planning, management of projects and teams, coordination of people and resources, and short/long-term development of talent.
- Independent (and dependable) leader focused on work that builds a foundation of process and procedure, accomplishes routine responsibilities, plans for the future, and meets goals – with the flexibility to manage a full schedule and adapt easily to change.
Total Rewards for Our Talent
Chautauqua Institution’s competitive compensation and a benefits suite that includes health insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield, flexible spend (or health savings) account options, dental and vision insurance, complimentary life insurance, wellness incentives, and fitness options, an employee assistance program, and supplemental life insurance and long-term disability options. The Institution supports planning for retirement through a discretionary employer pension contribution, which has recently been (10%) of gross compensation following a designated service period.
Discovering Your Chautauqua Experience
There are countless ways that our talent will engage with our mission, vision, and diverse communities, and you are invited to immerse yourself in our programming as a gateway to this experience. Employees will receive a traditional Chautauqua gate pass, free of cost, which provides access to many of our programs at the Amphitheater. In addition to a traditional gate pass, employees and their families will receive full access to our current and historical programs online at CHQ Assembly.
Join our talent community online at http://chq.org/employment/.
Our Commitment to IDEA
Chautauqua Institution values Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) as a priority in our strategic plan, 150 Forward. One of our five core values is “The dignity and contributions of all people.” We are committed to creating conditions in which everyone feels that they can engage as full and valued participants in the Chautauqua experience. The Institution is an equal opportunity employer committed to equitable and inclusive hiring practices and applicants will not be discriminated against based on any status protected under federal, state, or local law. We especially welcome applications from those who can demonstrate experience, engagement, and professional expertise in IDEA.
Vaccination for COVID-19
Chautauqua Institution has adopted a mandatory vaccination policy to safeguard the health of our employees, patrons, and our shared community from COVID-19. By applying for employment, candidates acknowledge that they will comply with Chautauqua Institution’s Mandatory Vaccination Policy requiring all employees to provide proof of full vaccination immediately upon hire or be approved for a medical or religious accommodation and before physically starting work.