The Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church is seeking a full-time Associate Director of Missional Excellence / Cohort Manager. This position will focus on managing Cohorts related to our Compelling Preaching Initiative and overseeing Clergy Wellness in our Conference.

The Associate Director of Missional Excellence / Cohort Manager is part of the team that leads the leadership, congregational development, and missional engagement ministries of the Upper New York Area of the United Methodist Church (UNY), so that leaders, congregations, and communities are flourishing. The Associate Director of Missional Excellence discovers, develops, deploys, and evaluates strategies, resources, programs, and initiatives for Missional Excellence in support of the UNY mission, vision, playbook, and missional goals and objectives. 

It is anticipated the portfolio for this position will focus on the management of Cohorts related to our Compelling Preaching Initiative and oversee Clergy Wellness in our Conference.

Key Functions related to Cohort Manager

• Attends and/or supervises yearlong Cohorts through Zoom gatherings, regional events, and travel abroad experiences
• Defines and approves curriculum for Cohorts with Grant Manager 
• Trains and identifies additional Cohort Facilitators 
• Coordinates recruitment and retention of preachers 
• Key Spiritual Gifts: Organization and Hospitality

In collaboration with the Missional Excellence Leadership Team (MET):

• Champion and lead the assigned area(s) of the Missional Excellence Framework in consultation with the Director of Missional Excellence.
• Discover, develop, deploy, and evaluate:

1. Spiritual vitality, leadership and congregational development, and missional engagement strategies, resources, and initiatives.
2. Strategies, resources, and initiatives to strengthen BIPOC leaders and ethnic and multi-ethnic congregations.
3. Strategies, resources, and initiatives to increase cultural competence and eradicate racism at all levels in UNY, in consultation with CCORR and GCORR.
4. Emerging ministries’ strategies, resources, programs, and initiatives so that UNY initiates new faith communities, fresh expressions, and experiments with other re-generative and collaborative ministry models. 
5. Regional resourcing teams to multiply the reach and impact of resourcing strategies and missional goals

• Coach assigned clergy and congregational leaders as they develop and implement a ministry plan to grow in their leadership and increase congregational health and impact. 
• Resource District Superintendents in response to discerned needs for districts and regions. 
• In collaboration with the extended cabinet, evaluate all missional excellence strategies, resources, programs, and initiatives to ensure they effectively equip leaders and congregations to live the gospel, be God’s love with our neighbors in all places, and for transformational ministry. 

Other Organizational Responsibilities

• Participation in UNY Conference Staff gatherings, events, and trainings.
• Provide support for critical events in the life of the Annual Conference per the UNY Missional Playbook.
• Develop a working relationship with Leadership & Congregational Development offices by participating in their national and jurisdictional networks.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Missional Excellence.

Core Competencies

• Organization and Hospitality
• Christ-centered and Christ-like
• Committed to continuously growing in intercultural competence.
• Build and maintain relationships rooted in honesty, integrity, and honor confidentiality.
• Work collaboratively to produce innovative solutions.
• Communicate clearly and accurately, in writing and orally, with unifying messages that motivate action.
• Inspire and influence people to achieve challenging goals and positive results.
• Manage the performance of team members, setting clear and measurable goals.
• Understand complex systems and organizations and lead people through change, disruption, and difference.
• Attend to details and deadlines.
• Willingness and ability to support the vision, mission, and core values of the United Methodist Church and the Upper New York Annual Conference
• Extensive knowledge of the structure and polity of The United Methodist Church

Qualifications

Experience and Background:

• Proven leadership experience in a local church setting.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred. However, candidates with an Associate's degree or no degree but with significant relevant experience will also be considered.
• Management experience in supervising a diverse team.
• Experience in leading and managing change.
• Experience in curriculum development.
• Experience in leading and managing complex projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Moderate/advanced knowledge of MS Office 365 Suite

Travel: A valid NYS driver's license and reliable transportation is required. The position requires evening and weekend responsibilities, extensive travel within UNY, and some travel internationally. The position is hybrid with residence in New York State and regular presence at the UNY Conference Center as determined in conversation with the Director of Missional Excellence.