Ai and Faith Program Director

Objective: Lead and administer MLC's AI and Faith initiatives through The Shine Project: A Practical and Prophetic Approach to AI and Faith, designing and implementing programs that equip young people, the ministry leaders who serve them, and their congregations to engage artificial intelligence with theological depth and faithful imagination.

Supervision: AI and Faith Program Director reports to the Sr. Director of Next Gen Grants and Research and works with all MLC staff to accomplish the MLC mission.

Responsibilities:

1. Program Design and Grant Administration
   • Lead the implementation of The Shine Project, overseeing grant activities, program timelines, budgets, and deliverables in alignment with the grant's objectives and commitments.
   • Design, coordinate, and facilitate AI and Faith learning experiences, including practitioner cohorts, young people's summits, judicatory leadership gatherings, webinars, workshops, practitioner cohorts, and other educational events.
   • Partner with the Sr. Director of Next Gen Grants and Research, collaborating across MLC departments to coordinate research-informed curriculum development, public learning opportunities, and educational resources.
   • Manage grant activity budgets, monitor program expenditures, maintain project timelines, and coordinate with administrative staff to ensure effective program operations.
2. AI and Faith Leadership
   • Serve as MLC's primary resident voice and organizational resource on AI and faith, staying current on developments in artificial intelligence, theology, ethics, technology safety, and youth and young adult spiritual formation.
   • Facilitate the development of and communicate a practical, theologically grounded approach to AI that equips ministry leaders and congregations to navigate the opportunities, challenges, and ethical complexities of emerging technologies.
   • Advocate and make space for the meaningful participation of young people in theological reflection and conversations about the ethical use of artificial intelligence within their communities.
3. Relational Networking and Recruitment
   • Build and sustain strategic relationships with youth ministers, college ministers, young people, congregations, judicatories, camps and conference centers, scholars, and organizations working at the intersection of AI and faith.
   • Develop and implement recruitment strategies for AI and Faith practitioner cohorts, summits, workshops, educational events, and other grant-funded initiatives.
   • Develop partnerships with denominational leaders, ministry networks, educational institutions, and other organizations to expand the reach and impact of The Shine Project.
   • Represent and promote MLC and its AI and Faith initiatives at conferences, denominational gatherings, ministry events, and other professional networking opportunities.
   • Collaborate with MLC's Sales and Marketing team to promote programs, communicate opportunities, and engage prospective participants and partners.
   • Cultivate ongoing relationships with MLC educational program alumni and ministry partners to encourage continued engagement, resource utilization, and the long-term sustainability of AI and Faith initiatives.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of ministry experience with youth and/or young adults in a church or non-profit setting
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field
• Master’s degree in theology or related field (preferred)
• Genuine interest in and theological engagement with questions of AI, technology, and what it means to be human
• Demonstrated experience designing and administering programs, with strong organizational and project management skills
• Experience teaching and training ministry leaders
• Track record of collaborating across teams to meet shared goals
• Demonstrated relational network and networking capabilities
• Experience supervising staff or volunteers
• Proven strong verbal and written persuasive communication skills

Expectations:

• Gifts and passion for developing others
• Passion for the mission of MLC and alignment with our core values and statement of faith
• Commitment to a culture of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• Commitment to collaborative teamwork in a remote working environment
• Ability to gather in person with other staff members for strategic planning and relationship building at least twice a year.
• Regular travel will be required for hosting events, cohort gatherings, recruiting, and teaching

Location: MLC is a remote working environment with our operational office in Brentwood, Tennessee. We have staff located across the country.

Grant-funded position: This position is funded by a Lilly Endowment, Inc. grant through December 31, 2031.

• Flexible schedule
• Remote work
• Paid Vacation, and personal, professional development days. Employees who work 40 hours a week are eligible for 15 vacation days a year, 12 personal days per year, and up to 10 days per year for professional development activities
• Holidays include New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day & Thanksgiving Friday, and December 24 through January 1 every year (a generous winter holiday)
• Replenishment plan eligibility for soul care after 6 months of employment
• Health insurance options
• 2% cash benefit retirement contribution
• Remote worker stipend for remote employees
• Staff growth and development opportunities

Native or bilingual English proficiency (written and spoken)