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Atlantic School of Theology (AST) is an ecumenical, publicly funded, university of theology and Christian ministry in Nova Scotia. It was founded in 1971 by the ecumenical work of three institutions: the Divinity Faculty of King’s College (Anglican Church of Canada), Holy Heart Theological Institute (The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Halifax), and Pine Hill Divinity Hall (United Church of Canada). Since its inception, AST has been known for successful, creative, innovative educational modalities. AST is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and offers Master of Divinity and Master of Arts (Theology and Religious Studies) degrees. The Master of Arts (Theology and Religious Studies) degree is offered through the university’s affiliation with Saint Mary’s University (Halifax), and diploma programs and continuing education offerings are also offered through AST.
It is within this context that AST welcomes applications and nominations for the appointment of its President commencing summer 2023.
Reporting to the Board of Governors, the President serves as Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic School of Theology, as Secretary to the Board of Governors, and as Chair of the AST Senate. The President provides the day-to-day leadership of the organization, including the administration, personnel leadership including recruitment and promotion, public and government relations, financial oversight, facilities management, and engagement with church partners. The President also provides oversight of the many policies required for the collaborative operation of AST, as they relate to strategic institutional goals, academic programs, research, public service and communication, financing, enrollment, and the maintenance of the physical plant. The President will implement and administer AST’s Strategic Plan and its annual budget to support of all of AST’s current and future activities. Engaging in revenue generating activities is also an important part of the portfolio, and the President will contribute to the expanded depth, breadth, and reach of AST’s capital and endowment funding. The President will ensure open and consultative communications with the Board of Governors, staff, faculty, students, alumni/ae, and representatives of AST’s church partners, and with the various levels of government including municipal, provincial, federal agencies, and First Nations. The President will also maintain an ongoing dialogue with the relevant academic and theological accreditation bodies, with church partners who promote AST among their constituents and congregations, and with active participation of the spiritual life of the AST community.
As the ideal candidate, you are a creative, supportive and compassionate leader who has a depth of leadership experience, ideally from a similarly complex post secondary organization. Your skills include strong financial and budgetary acumen, organizational change, and familiarity with both the higher education and ecclesial contexts. You are an excellent relationship builder with successful experience developing and implementing collaborative relationships within diverse cultural, ethnic, gender, educational, and social environments. You are comfortable acting as the spokesperson for an organization, and ideally have had success fundraising and with donor and/or alumni engagement activities. Candidates should hold a terminal degree in theology or a related field (PhD, ThD, DTheol), or a professional terminal degree (DMin) with academic experience. You practice an active and robust personal spiritual life and take part in worship and practice. Experience and/or familiarity with AST’s founding institutions is desirable.
To learn more about this impactful leadership opportunity with AST, please submit a curriculum vitae along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and/or Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca).
Atlantic School of Theology welcomes and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and persons of all sexual orientations and/or gender identities. AST also abides by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act, which prohibits actions that discriminate against people based on a protected characteristic in combination with a prohibited area: https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/know-your-rights/individuals
All qualified candidates are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
AST and Griffith Group are committed to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) should you require any accommodation to participate in this posting, recruitment, selection and/or assessment processes.