Job Summary:
Reporting to the Dean of the Divinity School, The Program Director provides academic leadership and
day-to-day administrative oversight for the EdD in Artificial Intelligence and Moral Agency, SUDS's
first doctoral-level offering. This person sets the academic vision for the program in partnership with the
Dean, ensures the curriculum (theological ethics foundations in Year 1, AI applications and human
agency in Year 2, research methods and colloquy in Year 3, and dissertation research in Year 4) is
delivered with rigor, and personally teaches, advises, and chairs dissertations within a cohort model
designed for bi-vocational adult learners.
Because this is a launch-phase program, the Director will also help build the infrastructure, faculty
bench, and external partnerships (e.g., with AI-ethics centers and technical institutions) that the degree
will depend on for the next several admissions cycles.
Essential Job Functions:
- Provide overall academic leadership for the EdD program, including curriculum oversight,
learning outcomes, and program review in coordination with the Dean and institutional
accreditation requirements.
- Recruit, mentor, and evaluate full-time and adjunct faculty teaching in the program; build a
roster of instructors with combined strength in theological ethics and AI literacy.
- Teach assigned doctoral seminars and chair or serve on dissertation committees.
- Oversee admissions review for the program in partnership with the Admissions Office, applying
the program's criteria (graduate theological degree, five years of bi-vocational leadership
experience, GPA/equivalency standards).
- Coordinate the three-year residency sequence and annual cohort colloquy, including scheduling,
faculty assignments, and student progress tracking toward the 45-credit (36 coursework plus 9
dissertation) requirement.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective students, partner institutions, and
accreditation bodies regarding the EdD program.
- Develop and manage the program budget, including faculty contracts, library/AI-tool licensing,
and conference or professional-development support for faculty and students.
- Build and maintain relationships with AI-ethics research centers, technology partners, and
continuing-education providers (e.g., for faculty AI-ethics certification) to keep curriculum
current.
- Represent the program at conferences, denominational meetings, and academic associations
relevant to theological education and AI ethics.
- Other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
FT Faculty, PT-Adjunct Faculty
Minimum Job Qualifications
Required
- Earned doctorate (PhD, ThD, EdD, or DMin) in theology, religious studies, Christian ethics, or a
closely related field.
- A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in theological or graduate
higher education, including teaching at the graduate level.
- Demonstrated experience advising, mentoring, or chairing graduate-level research or
dissertations.
- Working knowledge of core AI ethics concepts and frameworks (e.g., algorithmic fairness, bias
and discrimination, accountability and transparency standards such as the NIST AI Risk
Management Framework) sufficient to guide curriculum and faculty hiring, or a documented
plan to acquire this through certificate study.
- Demonstrated understanding of, and respect for, bi-vocational and pastoral ministry contexts and
the needs of adult professional learners.
- Strong organizational, budgetary, and personnel-management skills appropriate to launching and
sustaining a new doctoral program.
Preferred
- Professional experience outside a formal religious setting (e.g., healthcare, education, criminal
justice, technology, public policy, or nonprofit leadership) that informs an applied,
interdisciplinary approach to AI ethics.
- Record of scholarly publication or conference presentation in theological ethics, AI ethics, or a
related interdisciplinary field (e.g., in venues such as Journal of Religion and Health, AI and
Ethics, Journal of Moral Theology, or at conferences such as AIES or FAccT).
- Completed certificate, fellowship, or coursework in AI ethics or related technology policy from a
recognized institution.
- Ordination, commissioning, or comparable standing within a faith community.
- Experience with online or hybrid doctoral program delivery and learning-management systems.
- Experience building external partnerships with research centers, denominational bodies, or
industry organizations.
Other Competencies (skills, abilities, behavior)
Must have a philosophy that is consistent with the Mission, Vision and Core Values of the
organization. Vision, commitment, and experience in achieving goals and pursuing excellence is
critical: ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic and demanding
environment. Must have strong verbal and written communication and organizational skills; proven
ability to manage multiple complex assignments with sensitivity to deadlines, priorities, and
changing circumstances; demonstrated professional work ethic and positive, problem-solving
attitude. Must be able to read, write and speak fluently in English.
Physical Demands
Ability to sit or stand for up to 8 hours/day. Some lifting (up to 25 pounds occasionally), bending, and
carrying. The employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and to use hands and fingers to handle or
feel.
Required
-
Demonstrated understanding of, and respect for, bi-vocational and pastoral ministry contexts and the needs of adult professional learners.
- Demonstrated experience advising, mentoring, or chairing graduate-level research or dissertations.
Required
-
PHD or better in Theology or related field
Preferred
-
Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them
-
Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
-
Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
Preferred
-
Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization
Equal Opportunity Employer
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