Director of the Van Lunen Center
Location: Grand Rapids Campus · Type: Full time · Posted:
2026-06-10 · Reference: R-4812
Job Description: Director of the Van Lunen Center
Position Title: Director, Van Lunen Center for Executive Management in
Christian Schools:
Institution: Calvin University (in partnership with the Van Lunen
Foundation)
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan (or as negotiated)
Appointment Type: Full Time (minimum 1.0 FTE), year-round, with or
without faculty status
Reports To: Calvin University (with primary accountability to the Dean
for the School of Education and the Van Lunen Center Governing Board)
Position Summary
The Van Lunen Center seeks a visionary, collaborative, and administratively
skilled Christian leader to serve as its Director. The Director serves as the
principal officer of the Center, providing strategic leadership, operational
management, and external representation for all Center programs.
The Director will initiate, manage, and promote the Center's work while
maintaining strong partnerships with Christian schools, their supporting
networks, and Calvin University. This role combines high-level program
leadership, board liaison responsibilities, grant development, and financial
stewardship.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Program Management
Initiating, managing and promoting the overall work of the Van Lunen
Center and its programs.
Advancing the Van Lunen Center strategic plan in cooperation with the Van
Lunen Center Board.
Remaining current to trends, opportunities, and challenges pertinent to
Christian school executive leadership.
Recruiting, hiring, and supporting exceptional faculty members current in
their field
Providing full administrative responsibility for the Center and its staff.
Organizing, operating, and continuously evaluating the Van Lunen Fellows
Program, including:
Determining program objectives, content, schedule, and required resources.
Selecting, orienting, training, and evaluating the Fellows and Ascending Leaders faculty team.
Leading the selection process for each cohort.
Determining and arranging financial assistance for Fellows as needed.
Assessing and reporting on program outcomes.
2. Governance & Board Liaison
Serving as the chief liaison between the Center and its Governing Board.
In consultation with the Board Chair, preparing meeting agendas and
supporting materials.
Recommending program plans, budgets, and grant fund allocations to the
Board.
Implementing all policies, plans, and budgets adopted by the Governing
Board.
Providing regular reports on the Center's activities, outcomes, and impact
to the Board.
3. External Representation & Partnerships
Representing the Van Lunen Center in its partnerships with Christian
schools and their supporting networks.
Convening advisory bodies as needed and as approved by the Governing
Board.
4. Resource Development & Financial Accountability
Securing funds from donor groups and grants that support leadership and
management development
Managing all grants and external funding sources received in support of
Center programs.
Serving as the budget officer for the Center and maintain accountability
to Calvin University for all Center activities and finances.
Providing regular financial reports to the Van Lunen Foundation (the
principal financial supporter of the Center).
5. Reporting
Preparing and submitting an annual report to the Governing Board for
review, followed by submission to the School of Education Dean.
Providing a summary of the annual report to the Calvin University Board of
Trustees and Faculty Senate.
Qualifications & Requirements
Required:
Deep commitment to the mission of Christian schooling and the development
of effective school leaders.
Demonstrated leadership experience in Christian education, preferably in
school administration or leadership development.
Informed regarding executive trends, opportunities, and challenges
pertinent to Christian school executive leadership.
Strong administrative, organizational, and program management skills.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building
abilities.
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with boards, faculty, donors,
and partner organizations.
Experience with fundraising is highly desirable.
Eligibility for faculty status at Calvin University (terminal degree
preferred; candidates must meet Calvin University faculty
qualifications).
Status & Compensation
The Director will hold or be eligible for faculty status and compensation
will be commensurate with existing faculty scale.
If director does not hold faculty status, compensation will be based on
Director rank within Calvin University's R
The Director serves as an ex officio (non-voting) member of the
Governing Board but may not serve as Board Chairperson.
FAITH and EDUCATIONAL COMMITMENT
1. Commitment to the educational mission of Calvin as a Christian liberal
arts University affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church.
2. A commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith,
learning, and student development.
DIVERSITY COMMITMENT
Demonstrated awareness and commitment to effectively establishing
relationships and positive communication across multiple dimensions of
diversity including, but not limited to, race, gender, physical limitations,
class, or religious perspectives.
