Assistant Director of Academic and Vocational Advising

Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of Academic and Vocational Advising provides leadership for student formation, guidance, and academic advising at Brite Divinity School, with particular focus on the Pathways Initiative, including Calling (entry) and Sending (completion) processes. This role serves as a primary source of student accompaniment, providing relational and logistical support to ensure students are oriented, connected, informed, and well‑supported throughout their academic and vocational journeys.

Duties & Essential Job Functions:

Academic Advising and Student Navigation
1. Meets individually with students to offer guidance on academic planning, degree requirements, vocational exploration, resource navigation, and integration into Brite’s community. Provides advising support for orientation and post-graduation transitions.
2. Serves as a central point of contact for questions related to academic and vocational formation and programming, offering support as students navigate requirements, expectations, and discernment processes.
3. Collaborates with Academic Affairs, Admissions, and the Department of Student Success to ensure clear communication and coordinated student support.
4. Maintains clear, accurate advising notes and records in accordance with institutional policies and accreditation standards.

Pathways Programming and Support
5. In partnership with the Director of Vocational Discernment, supports Calling (entry) and Sending (completion) processes through ongoing communication and accompaniment with incoming and completing students.
6. Assists in the design and delivery of vocational discernment workshops, retreats, and Pathways related programming.
7. Contributes student-centered insights to Pathways assessment, reporting, and ongoing improvement efforts.
8. Provides first tier advising triage for Chaplaincy CBE students, routing program or competency-specific inquiries to the Director of CBE or Academic Affairs as appropriate.
9. Assists with logistical coordination for Sending related coaching cohorts serving graduates from both traditional and CBE pathways.
10. Shares observations and feedback related to student experiences to inform program evaluation and enhance support across all pathways.

Student Engagement and Cross-Functional Collaboration
11. Supports recruitment and discernment focused responsibilities connected to the Calling (entry) process, including communication with prospective students and participation in related programming.
12. Serves as a liaison to Denominational Directors at Brite and work alongside the Director of Supervised Ministry to maintain connections with local congregations and community partners.
13. Collaborates with Admissions and Marketing to ensure accurate, consistent, and mission aligned messaging regarding both traditional and CBE pathways.
14. Provides regular feedback to leadership on student needs, barriers, trends, and opportunities for strengthening formation programming and institutional processes.

Program Evaluation and Additional Duties
15. Tracks advising interactions and student engagement, contributing to evaluative benchmarks and continuous improvement initiatives.
16. Contributes qualitative and quantitative data to Pathways reports and broader institutional assessment processes.
17. Collects, tracks, and maintains job placement and vocational outcome data for graduates and alumni/ae at one‑year and three‑year intervals.
18. Participates in ongoing professional development related to academic advising, vocational formation, student support, and CBE methodologies.
19. Represents Brite at internal and external events related to student success.
20. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

• Master’s degree in theology or related field (such as Divinity, Religious Education, or Ministry)
• 3+ years of professional experience in planning and implementing educational programs, including direct experience with educational assessment (tracking student outcomes, program evaluation, and benchmarking).
• Prior work in a theological institution working with divinity students.

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Education or experience in academic advising and vocational coaching
• Experience in career transition, job placement, or “sending” processes within faith communities or non-profits.

Required Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training:

• None

Preferred Licensure, Certification, and/or Specialized Training:

• Familiarity with Competency-Based Education (CBE) models

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of presentations and interpersonal relationship techniques.
• Knowledge of congregational, chaplaincy and agency settings and theological education.
• Knowledge of planning, implementing, and evaluating events for laity and clergy.
• Knowledge of current biblical and theological scholarship.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in some or all components of Microsoft Office.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage details of projects.
• Ability to establish priorities and manage multiple projects at once.
• Ability to learn new technologies such as PeopleSoft, PageUp, and Concur.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and community members.

TCU Core Competencies:

University Core Competencies definitions may be found on the Human Resources website and in the staff performance management system.

Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations):

• Visual acuity to read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
• Able to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects and equipment up to 10 lbs.

Work Environment:

• Work is indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours.
• This role is an on campus, in-person position.
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.

Employment Values Statement:

Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community, and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.