Director of the Rachel Lord Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

Posting Details

Title

Director of the Rachel Lord Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

Posting Number

S01497JP

Department

Inclusion and Diversity in Student Affairs

Job Summary

The Director of the Rachel Lord Center provides spiritual guidance and care to students navigating life's biggest questions whether religious in nature or related to purpose, belonging, and meaning making. The Director does this in a variety of ways. In addition to building relationships with individual students, the Director advises religiously affiliated student organizations and implements programming that brings the campus community together in discussion, contemplation and religious exploration.

While this position is predominantly student-serving, the Director is also seen as a leader across campus positioned specifically to support the campus during times of crisis, conflict and grief. In addition, the Director will be responsible for delivering invocations at college-wide events such as commencement and convocation ceremonies, trustee meetings, among others. This role does not represent any one specific religious tradition but instead works as a resource to connect students with local clergy, religious communities, and student club advisors. As such, the Director must possess the knowledge, capacity and enthusiasm to work intentionally with individuals from a wide variety of religious backgrounds. This work should encourage interfaith learning and understanding.

This position supervises the part-time College Rabbi, Muslim Life Advisor, and Jewish Life Advisor and functions as the main point of contact for religious & spiritual club advisors. The Director also serves as a general resource to other campus partners and departments regarding questions of religious accommodations and the practice of religion on campus.

The Director also serves as a non-reporting (confidential) Title IX and Title VI resource on campus and will handle private and confidential information on a regular basis.

The hiring range for this position is expected to be: $77,000 – $87,000.

BENEFITS AND PERKS

• A variety of health insurance plans (Medical, Vision, Dental)
• Generous Retirement Plan – 401(a) and 403(b)
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per calendar year, 12 days of personal/sick time
• Paid Holidays and Special Days Off:
• Paid Parental Leave (Available after one year of service)
• Household access to many of the College's facilities including the gym and pool
• Free fitness and wellness classes
• And more:

Education/Skills Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in a related field required. A Master's degree in theology, divinity, equivalent discipline, and/or to candidates who have received ordination or religious credentialing preferred.

• Applicants must be able to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Ability to lead a department, including developing and implementing policies and procedures that support student well-being and institutional objectives.
• Must be collaborative, well organized, solution-oriented, and exercise sound judgment.
• Adept at working with students, faculty, staff, and community-based religious leaders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation abilities.

Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents

• A minimum of 4-7 years related experience required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the world's major religions, religious studies, and diverse spiritual practices.
• Familiarity with student development theory and the field of student affairs, with practical experience supporting student growth.
• Proven ability to provide confidential pastoral care and emotional support to students from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience in designing, planning, and executing inclusive and impactful student programming aligned with departmental goals.
• Experience serving as the primary point of contact for religious accommodations, ensuring compliance and support for student needs.
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with local clergy, faith leaders, and religious organizations to enhance campus engagement.
• Experience managing departmental budgets, including planning, tracking, and reporting expenditures.
• Supervisory experience overseeing a team of religious life advisors and student workers, including program coordination and leadership development.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this posting to be considered for hire.

Standard Work Days and Hours

This is a full-time position working 40 hours/48 weeks per year, (0.92 FTE). This is an exempt level position that requires the time commitment to complete the essential duties of the position. Standard administrative hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Evening and weekend work frequently required when the College is in session.

We regret that Bowdoin College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.

Employment at Bowdoin College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of applicable background checks including but not limited to: criminal records, educational verifications, driving records (when job-related), and/or credit history (when job related).

About Bowdoin

Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.

We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College's multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.

Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin's reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.

Bowdoin's campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.

Shift

Employment Category

Full Time Year Round

FTE

0.92

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Pay Type

Salaried

Background Check Package Requirements

Faculty/Administrative

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?

No

Is a pre-placement physical required for this position?

No

Posting Date

11/04/2025

Applications Accepted Until

Open Until Filled

No

Type of Posting

Internal/External

Special Instructions to Applicants

If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.

EEO Information

Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.