Director of Doctor of Ministry Program

Position Description The Director of the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Program provides leadership for the vision, growth, administration, and academic quality of Talbot School of Theology’s DMin program. As an administrative faculty member, the Director is responsible for advancing Talbot’s mission by strengthening the program’s contribution to the preparation of Christian leaders for faithful and effective ministry. The Director oversees program operations, faculty and student support, curriculum development, accreditation and assessment processes, and budget management. A central responsibility of the position is the strategic expansion of the DMin program through the development of new initiatives, academic tracks, partnerships, and delivery models that increase enrollment, broaden the program’s reach, and enhance the student experience while maintaining academic excellence. Candidates must be willing to relocate in order to work in residence at Talbot’s campus in La Mirada, CA or Phoenix, AZ. Alignment with Theological Positions The person who fills this position must be someone who personally agrees with Biola’s Articles of Faith, Statement of Biblical Principles, and Eschatology Teaching Position. As such, this person may not speak against or act in a manner inconsistent with these positions during the course of their employment at Biola. Department Talbot School of Theology Educational Requirements Earned doctoral degree in theology, ministry, leadership, practical theology, or a related field; PhD or equivalent research doctorate preferred. Work Requirements Exempt (01), full-time - 40 hours per week, 12 months per year This position is based in La Mirada, CA or Phoenix, AZ. Availability for occasional evening or weekend work, as needed. Ability to travel as needed to support student recruitment, partnership development, and program initiatives. Essential Duties Strategic Leadership and Program Growth Provide overall leadership and direction for the DMin program, ensuring alignment with the mission and strategic priorities of Talbot School of Theology and Biola University. Develop and implement a multi-year strategy for significant program growth, including enrollment expansion, new program offerings, and increased market visibility. Assess ministry and higher education trends to identify opportunities for new DMin tracks, concentrations, and strategic partnerships. Lead efforts to strengthen recruitment and retention, working collaboratively with admissions, marketing, and school leadership. Evaluate and adapt the current cohort model to support growth objectives while providing greater flexibility for students. Oversee the development and implementation of marketing and promotional initiatives for the DMin program and its various tracks. Academic Leadership and Faculty Oversight Supervise the academic quality and effectiveness of the DMin program and its tracks. Serve as a dissertation supervisor/first reader for doctoral projects. Provide academic and professional advisement to DMin students. Recruit, evaluate, and oversee the hiring of track leaders, adjunct faculty, and doctoral project readers. Monitor faculty teaching assignments, course enrollments, and instructional effectiveness. Review and assess faculty teaching evaluations and implement appropriate follow-up and support. Convene and lead program and track-specific faculty meetings. Establish expectations and guidelines for doctoral project readers, including standards related to student progress and time-to-completion. Other duties as assigned. Accreditation, Assessment, and Curriculum Development Lead ongoing assessment and evaluation of the DMin program, curriculum, and academic tracks. Develop and assess new and existing courses to ensure the achievement of program learning outcomes and institutional goals. Evaluate program effectiveness through assessment data and other measures of student and program success. Prepare reports and documentation for school leadership, university administration, and accrediting agencies. Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and university policies related to doctoral education. Budget and Resource Management Manage the DMin program budget and oversee routine monthly and quarterly financial reporting. Develop annual budgets that support the strategic priorities and growth objectives of the program. Create multi-year financial plans that align resources with enrollment growth and program development goals. Exercise responsible stewardship of program resources while pursuing opportunities for sustainable expansion. Required Qualifications Earned doctoral degree in theology, ministry, leadership, practical theology, or a related field; PhD or equivalent research doctorate preferred. Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in theological education, academic administration, ministry leadership, or a related leadership role, preferably within higher education. Significant leadership and administrative experience in higher education, ministry, or nonprofit environments. Demonstrated leadership experience, including oversight of academic programs, faculty, adjunct instructors, or ministry teams. Commitment to the mission of Biola University and the integration of faith and learning. Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the mission of Talbot School of Theology. Evidence of a mature Christian faith and lifestyle consistent with Biola’s standards of conduct. Active involvement in a local church. Demonstrated success in strategic planning, program development, student recruitment, enrollment growth, and organizational growth. Ability to recruit, develop, supervise, and evaluate track leaders, adjunct faculty, doctoral project readers, and other program personnel. Experience supervising dissertations, doctoral projects, graduate research, or other terminal-degree capstone work. Experience providing academic advising, mentoring, and professional development to graduate and do