Abilene Christian University

Dean of the Graduate School of Theology

Abilene Christian University • $100K — $120K *
Abilene, TX 79605In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Terminal degree in Bible, Theology, Ministry, or Christian Education.
  • Proven scholarly excellence with effective leadership in higher education.
  • Experience in academic administration, including budgeting and strategic planning.
  • Knowledge of current trends in theological education and church engagement.
  • Active member of a Church of Christ congregation.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and review the academic vision and strategic plan with faculty.
  • Lead curriculum and maintain academic standards.
  • Oversee the development of residential and online programs.
  • Ensure programs are responsive to student and church needs.
  • Manage and support faculty and staff, promoting their professional development.
  • Coordinate recruitment and admissions efforts to enhance student success.
  • Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and lead continuous improvement.

Benefits

  • Collaborative and transparent partnership with university leadership.
  • Opportunities for ongoing professional development internally and externally.
  • Access to various academic and administrative software training.
  • Engagement with alumni, donors, and external constituencies.
Full Job Description
Applications will be accepted through September 17, 2026.

Click here to view the Search Prospectus

Basic Responsibilities
  • Academic Leadership & Strategic Direction
  • Faculty, Staff & Student Success
  • Accreditation, Assessment & Continuous Improvement
  • Financial & Operational Stewardship
  • University Representation & Executive Partnership


Essential Duties

Academic Leadership & Strategic Direction
  • Develop and regularly review the GST's academic vision and strategic plan with faculty and the CBS dean.
  • Lead curriculum, academic programs, and academic standards.
  • Guide the development and innovation of residential and online programs.
  • Ensure programs are rigorous, distinctive, and responsive to students, churches, and ministry organizations.
  • Maintain strong faculty qualifications and student learning outcomes.
  • Collaborate across the university to advance GST priorities and opportunities.


Faculty, Staff & Student Success

  • Supervise, support, develop, and evaluate GST faculty and staff.
  • Recruit and retain mission-aligned faculty and staff in collaboration with appropriate university partners.
  • Promote excellence in faculty teaching, scholarship, and professional development.
  • Oversee student affairs and support students' academic, spiritual, and vocational formation.
  • Strengthen advising, mentoring, student services, scholarships, persistence, and completion.
  • Foster a supportive community that promotes student belonging, development, and preparation for service.
  • Lead and coordinate recruitment, admissions, and enrollment efforts to support GST programs and students.


Accreditation, Assessment & Continuous Improvement
  • Ensure compliance with ATS and SACSCOC accreditation standards and reporting requirements.
  • Oversee assessment of curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student learning outcomes.
  • Use assessment and accreditation findings to support continuous improvement.


Financial & Operational Stewardship
  • Coordinate the GST budget in partnership with the CBS dean, chief executive officer of the GST, and university leadership
  • Manage the deployment of GST academic and operating resources.
  • Identify and address annual funding and resource needs.


University Representation & Executive Partnership

  • Represent the GST in university governance, accreditation, advisory, and external academic networks.
  • Support development efforts related to GST academic programs, research, grants, and external partnerships.
  • Maintain a collaborative and transparent partnership with the CBS dean and other university leadership.
  • Engage alumni, donors, and external constituencies where appropriate to advance GST priorities.


Professional Development Requirements

  • Skills
    • Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
    • Strong interpersonal and collaborative leadership style.
    • Technological proficiency with academic and administrative software
    • Ability to manage complexity, make data-informed decisions, and model servant leadership.


  • Training Required
    • Workday
    • Adobe Sign and Docusign
    • Slate
    • Salesforce
    • Ongoing professional development internally and externally to the university


Qualifications

Required
  • Terminal degree in relevant discipline (Bible, Theology, Ministry, Christian Education, etc.)
  • Record of scholarly excellence and effective higher education leadership.
  • Demonstrated experience in academic administration, including budgeting, personnel and strategic planning
  • Understanding of current trends in theological education, ministry preparation and church engagement
  • ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. The position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and be an active, faithful member of a congregation of the Churches of Christ.


Preferred
  • Experience leading graduate theological or ministry programs.
  • Track record of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in curriculum design.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain high energy.
  • Flexibility for travel, extended hours and weekend engagements as needed.
  • Capacity to work on-site regularly and represent ACU in various professional and congregational settings.

About Abilene Christian University

Abilene Christian University (ACU) is a private Christian university in Abilene, Texas. It was founded in 1906 as Childers Classical Institute. ACU is affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs, including professional programs in business, law, and theology. The university has a student population of approximately 5,000.
Learn more about Abilene Christian University
Size
1,000 employees
Industry
Education, Government & Non-Profit
* Ladders Estimates

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