Special Assistant for Mission Initiatives

The Special Assistant for Mission Initiatives is critical to Creighton University’s strategic and mission-aligned efforts to move formation in the University’s Jesuit, Catholic mission and Ignatian identity from pockets to pervasive.

The Special Assistant for Mission Initiatives serves as a strategic integrator and catalyst for advancing Creighton University’s Jesuit, Catholic mission, helping to move mission formation from pockets to pervasive. Reporting to and collaborating strongly with the Vice President for Mission & Ministry, this role leads the design, implementation, and continuous discernment of university-wide mission initiatives that foster a shared sense of purpose, belonging, and formation among students, faculty, and staff. Central to this work is the development of an annual mission-aligned theme and the stewardship of Mission Week and Founders Week as anchor moments of communal reflection, celebration, and integration—ensuring these efforts move beyond events to become formative, year-long touchpoints that animate the university’s mission in daily life.

In close collaboration with campus partners, the Special Assistant advances a coherent and developmental approach to formation. The role partners deeply with the Director of Faculty & Staff Mission Engagement to design and sustain a comprehensive formation pathway for faculty and staff, addressing both breadth and depth while responding to identified gaps. Simultaneously, the position strengthens student Ignatian leadership formation by collaborating with student-facing offices within and outside of the Division of Mission & Ministry.

This position requires a mission-driven leader with deep knowledge of Ignatian spirituality, Jesuit education, and Catholic intellectual and social traditions, coupled with demonstrated strength in collaboration, program design, and organizational leadership. The Special Assistant brings an educator’s acumen, pastoral sensitivity and strategic strength. As a trusted partner to the Vice President for Mission and Ministry, the role contributes to divisional leadership, represents Mission and Ministry across the university, and supports the advancement of key strategic priorities through thoughtful planning, assessment, and innovation—helping to ensure that Creighton’s mission is not only articulated, but fully lived and continually renewed across the institution.

This is a 10-month position (August-May).

Essential Functions:

• Lead University-wide mission initiatives, including the discernment and integration of an annual mission-aligned theme, stewardship of yearly Mission and Founders Weeks, and the creation and implementation of additional tripartite (i.e. inclusive of students, faculty and staff) mission formation opportunities.
• Support faculty and staff formation in Creighton’s Jesuit, Catholic mission and Ignatian identity, serving as a primary collaborator with the Director of Faculty & Staff Mission Engagement in creating and sustaining a developmental pathway for faculty and staff mission formation, including the development of offerings that address evident gaps. Assume primary responsibility for some faculty and staff mission formation programs, as agreed upon with the Director of Mission Engagement.
• Enhance student Ignatian leader formation by 1) partnering with the directors of Campus Ministry and the Schlegel Cetner for Service and Justice (and the departments’ teams) to create, impement, adapt and assess a common core for divisional student leaders’ Ignatian leadership formation and 2) supporting requests and seizing opportunities to collaborate with student-serving departments to better integrate Ignatian formation into student leadership formation and accompaniment.
• Provide division support and representation through participating in regular meetings with the Vice President for Mission and Ministry, engaging in divisional leadership and professional staff meetings, representing Mission and Ministry in working groups and committees, and assisting with special projects and other duties as requested.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Divinity, Theology, Ministry, Education or related discipline
• Five years of progressive leadership experience, including strong evidence of relational, organizational, and planning skills
• Demonstrated experience in providing effective intellectually, spiritually, and experientially formative opportunities for adults of diverse ages and backgrounds
• Demonstrated record of working collaboratively to establish and successfully animate a shared vision
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Experience working in a Jesuit apostolate (strongly preferred)
• Proven experience of robust collaboration with university stakeholders, including but not limited to faculty, staff, administrators and students

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Substantial understanding of the Society of Jesus, Ignatian Spirituality and Pedagogy, Catholic Intellectual and Social Traditions, and the contemporary mission of Jesuit, Catholic higher education
• Proven ability to develop and implement curriculum and to communicate concepts in ways that makes them both accessible and personal for individuals
• Strong pastoral and administrative sensibilities
• Ability and commitment to take initiative, think creatively, act innovatively, and work both independently and collaboratively
• Skill with fostering relationships and community grounded in invitation and marked by a commitment to equity and inclusion
• Facility with technology, computers, MSOffice, etc.
• Understanding of program assessment and evaluation
• Availability for periodic night and weekend commitments and occasional travel

Creighton University is committed to providing a safe and non-discriminatory educational and employment environment. The University admits qualified students, hires qualified employees and accepts patients for treatment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or other status protected by law. Its education and employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other programs and activities, are administered without unlawful discrimination. Creighton complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Applicants with disabilities needing reasonable accommodations to complete the application or hiring process should contact Human Resources at HR@creighton.edu. Creighton University seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to the University's mission and values.