FOUNDATION
Shady Grove United Methodist Church is seeking an energetic, relational, creative, and spiritually mature leader to serve as our Director of Student Ministries and Communications. This position brings together two vital areas of ministry: cultivating a vibrant, faith-forming community for youth and their families and helping the entire congregation connect, engage, and share the story of what God is doing through Shady Grove. The Director will be passionate about helping young people and their families connect with the church, grow in their faith, and serve God and other people in life-giving ways while also guiding the church’s overall communications strategy. The ideal candidate will enjoy building meaningful relationships, developing engaging ministry experiences, and using clear, creative communication to help people discover opportunities to belong, become, and bless.
This is a full-time (40 hours per week), salaried position. The Director of Student Ministries and Communications will be present for 9:30am and 11:00am Worship on Sunday mornings, weekly staff meetings, and regular programs, events, and trips with students and adults from the congregation.
SUPERVISION
The Director of Student Ministries and Communications will provide leadership as part of a ministry team committed to Shady Grove’s mission of Belonging, Becoming, and Blessing. Supervision will be provided by the Lead Pastor and Staff-Parish Relations committee. All members of the Shady Grove UMC ministry team participate in a 90-day introductory review with the Lead Pastor to celebrate successes, establish goals, and identify areas for continued growth. Following this time, performance evaluations will be conducted annually.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Commitment to the faith and teachings of The United Methodist Church
- Leadership experience in youth ministry, student discipleship, education, or a related field
- Strong organizational and administrative skills
- Strong communication skills
- Proficiency with written and electronic methods of communication, including social media
- Ability to self-initiate projects, work well with others, and maintain confidentiality
- Demonstrated ability to recruit, develop, and empower volunteers
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent ministry experience required
- Flexibility, compassion, and kindness
RESPONSIBILITIES
Student Ministries Leadership
- Create a safe environment for young people to explore their faith and discover God’s love.
- Cultivate a culture of Christian discipleship through worship, Bible study, prayer, service, fellowship, and mentoring relationships.
- Coordinate weekly youth group gatherings and special events for youth.
- Coordinate and lead mission experiences throughout the year, including annual summer mission trips.
- Recruit and equip adult volunteers for ministry with students.
- Create leadership development opportunities for students and adult volunteers.
- Build meaningful relationships with parents and caregivers, partnering with them in students’ spiritual formation.
- Serve as an advocate for youth at Shady Grove and in the community.
- Ensure compliance with Shady Grove’s Safe Sanctuaries policy at all times.
Church-Wide Communications Leadership
- Develop and implement a coordinated communications strategy that advances Shady Grove’s mission and helps members, guests, and the wider community connect with the life of the church.
- Develop and implement an engaging social media presence that reflects the life and mission of the church
- Coordinate print and digital communications, including email newsletters, announcements, and promotional materials.
- Maintain the church website and ensure that information is current, welcoming, accurate, and easy to navigate.
- Create graphics, photography, and video content to celebrate ministry and invite participation.
- Partner with pastors, staff members, ministry leaders, and volunteers to identify communications needs, gather content, and promote opportunities effectively.
- Use communications data and audience feedback, when available, to strengthen engagement and improve the effectiveness of church communications.
BENEFITS
- Salary Range: $50,000-$55,000, commensurate with experience
- Health Care: Virginia Conference Health Plan
- Vacation: 3 weeks per year
- Paid Holidays
- Eligibility for retirement plan, including matching contributions
- Continuing Education
APPLICATIONS
People with a deep love of Jesus and a passion for ministry with students and families are invited to apply for this position. Interested candidates should submit the following documents to [email protected]:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- 3 References
Pay: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
