Program Coordinator

Program Coordinator

   Full Time |  Ithaca, NY

Who We Are:

Chesterton House is an independent Christian study center founded nearly 25 years ago. We are strategically located next to Cornell University and an affiliated chaplaincy within Cornell United Religious Work. Chesterton House provides Cornell students with a comprehensive Christian college experience in a beautiful two-acre residential campus with a vibrant common life. Designated an Oasis of Excellence in Higher Education by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, CH is a recognized leader as an innovative campus ministry model. CH programming focuses on an intensive living-learning experience in an intentional Christian community combined with extensive academic and intellectual programs both on and off Cornell's main campus. Our high-intensity programming calendar reaches 5000+ attendees / year. CH programming focuses on the integration of faith and learning, moral formation and community building, and academic / intellectual development of the Christian mind, effectively functioning as a small Christian college. CH aims to facilitate the discovery of the intellectual riches of the historic Christian faith, thereby empowering more faithful Christian living for students, staff, faculty, and alumni of Cornell University.
 

About The Role: Program Coordinator

The Program Coordinator is an intensive team-oriented position that assists in program planning and leads a team through the execution of our residential and campus programming. This crucial position sits within our core operations team which executes our extensive programming calendar and reports directly to the Operations Director. Responsibilities in this role include:

• Overseeing the majority of our regular programming (up to 7 recurring events/week) from coordinating logistics and planning to execution with a supporting team. 
• Maintaining relationships with other campus ministries, churches, student organizations, and outside groups at Cornell and in the broader Ithaca community.
• Offering hands-on facilities and administrative support for Chesterton House's residential ministry and multifaceted academic year programming
• Participating in our Spiritual Formation program as a one-on-one mentor for students in our residential community and managing our student leaders. 
• Acting as a liaison between student leaders and senior CH leaders. 
• Serving within a delegated pastoral care system dealing with complex inter / intra personal pastoral issues, community conflicts, etc.
• Serving as an active part in our fellows program as we guide one-year fellows through a year of hands-on ministry equipping and developing them with professional, theological, pastoral, and vocational experience.

This position requires a dynamic leadership skill set, balancing operational execution, team coordination and mentorship, and live event facilitation. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable overseeing event logistics, guiding a team of junior staff, and serving as a coordinator during live events. With a servant leadership mindset, they will lead in a professional, compassionate, and team-oriented manner, ensuring smooth operations in both behind-the-scenes planning and live execution.
 

Who We are Looking for: The Ideal Candidate

Ideal candidates would have prior campus ministry / church experience. Candidates must have a dynamic and hospitable presence and should be eager to connect relationally with people in group and individual settings. They will also be supportive of the overall mission of Chesterton House to introduce students to the historic Christian intellectual tradition. This position is highly team-oriented, demanding high communication with the staff team. This position should project a warm hospitable presence as an ambassador for the ministry.  

Candidates must embrace the religious mission of Chesterton House, including our Statements of Belief and Practice, and evidence a clear understanding of, and commitment to, excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service as well as the integration of Christian faith into their work. Candidates must exemplify a humility and teachability to learn methodologies outside their specialty, and curiosity and intellectual breadth in advancing the mind and heart of the whole church, not merely within their specific disciplines.
 

Starting Date, Location, and Hours:

Role to start summer of 2025. 

Work will be completed on our campus, on Cornell’s campus, around the community, and sometimes remotely. This position regularly involves weekend and irregular hours.
 

Required Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Bachelor’s degree required. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the willingness to communicate well with staff of varying levels.
• Digital fluency across various technology platforms.
• A team player who can adapt to changing needs, communicate regularly, meet deadlines, be punctual and reliable. Is able to take initiative and work independently. 
• Agreement with Chesterton House statement of faith and conduct.
• Ability to work together across a wide variety of Christian denominational and doctrinal differences.
• A robust personal faith walk, demonstrated through private spiritual disciplines and active involvement in a local orthodox and confessional Christian church.

Desirable Qualifications: 

• Prior campus ministry experience
• Graduate work in biblical studies, theology, or religion
• Mentorship experience.
• Leadership experience.
• Some familiarity with intentional Christian community and the Christian intellectual tradition.

Job Title:

Program Coordinator

Pay Rate:

Chesterton House offers a competitive salary of $50K-$60K, commensurate with experience; overtime exempt. Benefits include health, dental, life, and 403b retirement. Relocation assistance available.