Director of Operations

Job Description

OVERVIEW
The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity invites qualified candidates to apply for a Director of Operations in the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity.

THE SAINT PAUL SEMINARY
Vision (Why we exist): We envision Church leaders on fire with the Holy Spirit, equipping the faithful to transform the world in Jesus Christ.

Mission (What we do): We provide integrated, Catholic formation for those called to serve as priests, deacons, or lay leaders in their local Church.

Core Values (How we operate):
• Foster Christ-centered growth
We cultivate growth in Jesus Christ of each member of our community, rooting all we do in His love, example and teachings.
• Engage in personal accompaniment
We walk alongside and assist each person to become aware of, understand, and respond to God's grace.
• Thrive through use of our gifts
We celebrate the natural gifts God has already given to each individual and seek a deeper outpouring of the Holy Spirit and His gifts.

The successful candidate will have enthusiasm for and a commitment to our vision, mission and core values.

The successful candidate will also be an active, practicing Catholic in full communion with the Catholic Church, with a demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Church and full assent to all magisterial teaching.

Hiring will be contingent upon the successful completion of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis' "E3" Requirements of Safe Environment Training (see https://safe-environment.archspm.org/essential-3/), including manifesting a commitment to follow the Archdiocesan Code of Conduct for Church Personnel.

JOB SUMMARY
Lead comprehensive operations strategy for The Saint Paul Seminary, directing facilities management, campus operations, dining services, and technology infrastructure to advance institutional mission, ensure operational excellence, and enable effective ministry formation. Serve as strategic operations advisor to Seminary leadership, driving innovation, optimizing resources, and cultivating high-performing teams that deliver exceptional stakeholder service and support the seminary's vision of forming Church leaders on fire with the Holy Spirit.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Strategic Facilities and Infrastructure Leadership
• Lead comprehensive facilities strategy for The Saint Paul Seminary campus, ensuring physical infrastructure aligns with institutional mission, enrollment projections, and long-range strategic priorities.
• Develop and execute the Seminary's Master Facilities Plan, advancing capital projects that enhance operational excellence, student experience, and institutional sustainability.
• Drive strategic vendor partnerships and enterprise-level facilities contracts, optimizing quality, cost-effectiveness, and service delivery across all seminary properties including administration building, chapel, priest and seminarian residence, and propaedeutic house campus.
• Establish facilities governance frameworks, including multi-year capital planning, lifecycle asset management, risk mitigation strategies, and deferred maintenance prioritization aligned with institutional financial capacity.
• Build and lead the operations team, developing talent capabilities in facilities management, project execution, and stakeholder engagement.
• Serve as primary liaison with University of St. Thomas facilities management department, coordinating affiliated services for the seminary campus.

Campus Operations and Experience
• Architect and advance the Seminary's campus operations framework, ensuring seamless, mission-aligned experiences for students, faculty, visitors, and stakeholders.
• Lead cross-functional operations strategy encompassing hospitality, access management, event execution, parking, and campus services-establishing standards of excellence that reflect institutional values.
• Partner strategically with University of St. Thomas departments (Physical Plant, Public Safety, Auxiliary Services, ITS) to leverage enterprise resources, drive operational efficiencies, and ensure cohesive service delivery.
• Develop institutional protocols for campus events, security, and access that balance hospitality with safety, optimize resource utilization, and enhance stakeholder satisfaction.
• Champion continuous improvement in campus operations through data-driven assessment, stakeholder feedback, and implementation of operational best practices.

Dining Services and Hospitality Services Leadership
• Direct comprehensive dining services strategy across three Seminary facilities, creating exceptional hospitality experiences that foster community, support formation, and reflect institutional values.
• Lead and develop the dining services team, cultivating service excellence, professional growth, and mission-aligned hospitality practices.
• Establish financial frameworks for dining operations, including budget development, cost optimization, quality assurance, and strategic resource allocation that ensures fiscal sustainability while enhancing service delivery.
• Drive innovation in dining programs, evaluating service models, vendor partnerships, and operational approaches to elevate quality, flexibility, and value.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and operational excellence across all food service operations.

Information Technology
• Lead technology strategy for Seminary operations in partnership with University ITS, ensuring digital infrastructure supports institutional mission, operational effectiveness, and user experience.
• Serve as strategic technology advisor to Seminary leadership, translating institutional priorities into technology requirements and advocating for Seminary needs within enterprise IT planning.
• Drive digital transformation initiatives, evaluating systems, identifying strategic technology investments, and implementing solutions that enhance operational efficiency, data-informed decision-making, and stakeholder service.
• Establish IT governance practices for seminary technology resources, ensuring security, compliance, scalability, and alignment with University standards.

Executive Leadership and Institutional Strategy
• Serve as strategic advisor to the Rector/Vice President and Seminary Corporation Board on all operational matters, providing data-driven insights, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations.
• Lead operational components of institutional strategic planning, translating strategic priorities into operational capabilities and resource requirements.
• Partner with seminary leadership in developing policies, assessing organizational effectiveness, and advancing initiatives that strengthen institutional capacity and mission delivery.
• Represent operations perspective on executive leadership team, contributing to enterprise-wide decision-making, fiscal planning, and organizational development.
• Champion organizational excellence, identifying opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and enhanced stakeholder service across seminary operations.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, or a related field
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management, project management, or food service management

Preferred Qualifications
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Facilities Management, Organizational Leadership, or related field
• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CFM, FMP, PMP)
• Demonstrated success leading strategic operations in higher education, seminary, religious, or mission-driven organizations

An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities may be substituted.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All interested candidates must apply online at https://staffemployment-stthomas.icims.com/jobs/9155/director-of-operations/job.
Follow the instructions to complete an online application which includes creating or updating an applicant profile, uploading a resume, and completing a job specific application.

About the Employer

The Saint Paul Seminary forms over 1,000 future priests, deacons and lay leaders each year. These men and women go on to serve as pastors, Church leaders and witnesses in their families and workplaces -- so Catholic communities can thrive.