Job Description

Reports to: Academy President

Effective: August 2025

Woodward Academy is Atlanta at its very best. We intentionally bring together students from diverse

backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, creating a richer learning community and exceptional academic

opportunities. Our students and graduates are caring and compassionate global citizens who are a microcosm

of what the world should be.

The Academy is hiring for the position of Chaplain and Chair of Religious Studies to start in the 2025-2026 academic year. The Chaplain is an integral part of the Woodward community and supported by the Pauline and R.L. Brand Jr. '35 Chair of Religious Studies endowment. We are seeking candidates with an interfaith understanding who are enthusiastic about mentoring, leading and working alongside students to support their spiritual formation. 

The Chaplain must possess the highest level of integrity and discretion, strong organizational skills, and the ability to multitask and prioritize. The person in this position should be an energetic self-starter and possess exceptional interpersonal skills with relational intelligence and competency in pastoral care. This is a twelve month, exempt position with full benefits.

Essential Dues:

Support the spiritual growth of all students, with a deep respect for diversity and varied faith traditions

Provide pastoral care to the entire Woodward community

In coordination with the school counselors, provide age appropriate pastoral counseling to individual

students across all five schools

Connect with students across all five schools through community meetings, assemblies, and classroom visits.

Contribute to implementing service learning opportunities for students and faculty

Attend faculty meetings, school functions and events

Contribute to interfaith understanding throughout the Academy

Teach World Religions classes in the Upper School with a focus on empathy and religious literacy

Possibly coach or supervise an afternoon activity

Serve as an advisor in the Upper School

Work with the Upper School Interfaith Council and religious/cultural affinity student clubs (e.g. Jewish Student Union, Islamic Awareness Club, FCA, Catholic Identity Club, South Asian Affinity Club)

Represent Woodward Academy’s faith traditions by o?ering religiously inclusive prayers at most events

(including Commencement, Baccalaureate, Veteran’s Day, etc.) & planning religiously inclusive

ceremonies (Baccalaureate ceremony)

Promote educational programs and lecture events on a variety of subjects

Develop and maintain connections with faith groups throughout Atlanta and the national independent

school community

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in divinity, theological studies, or similar seminary education.

Experience working with local churches, schools, or faith based organizations, and with students from

diverse ethnic, racial, and faith backgrounds.

Committed to the principles of the Academy while serving in a diverse community, promoting respect for

di?erence, and fostering inclusion

Outstanding organizational and communication skills

Excellent judgment and analytical and problem-solving skills

Confidential and maintains the highest ethical standards

Enthusiastic, motivated, and able to work with multiple constituencies

About Woodward:

Woodward Academy is a pre-K to 12th-grade independent school o?ering unparalleled opportunities in

academics, the arts, and athletics. In a broadly diverse and caring community of more than 2,700 students from

23 counties in the state, Woodward embraces the uniqueness of each individual. Guided by its core values of

Excellence, Character, and Opportunity, Woodward o?ers a full range of college preparatory instructional tracks,

and a community where students are appreciated for their individual strengths and contributions. With 50

percent students of color, we are among the most diverse independent schools in the nation.

A deep respect for di?erence is an integral part of every classroom experience and cocurricular o?ering at

Woodward because it’s our backbone--who we are and what we value. Students and faculty bring a variety of

races, religions, cultures, ethnicities, and learning styles, which means students benefit every day from

engaging with peers and mentors who are di?erent from them. At Woodward, we understand that we are

strongest together and that an education among people who come from the same place, look the same, and

have the same experiences will not prepare students for life.

The Woodward Way - Respecting Ourselves, Each Other, Our School, and Our World, and learning how to do

these things is both a vital aspect of our students’ education and the foundation of our community’s value

system. We see it as our duty to foster social-emotional growth as well as ethical principles in each student,

helping them to learn and practice high personal standards of conduct so they can become the best version of

themselves. Installing these values in each student in turn builds community, creating an environment where every student has an equal opportunity to flourish.

Anti-Discrimination

Woodward Academy is committed to being an an-discriminatory community. We will not tolerate any form of

discrimination on the basis of age, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation,

family structure, learning style, political views, or socioeconomic status. Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) is woven into the very fabric of who we are and what we do, creating a richer learning community and

exceptional academic opportunities for everyone. We will cultivate an environment that fosters a deep respect

for di?erence through continual assessment, transparent communication, action and accountability.

EOE

About Woodward.edu

Woodward Academy is Atlanta at its very best. We intentionally bring together students from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, to create a richer learning community and exceptional academic opportunities. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has consistently ranked Woodward as the No. 1 or No. 2 large workplace in metro Atlanta, with special recognition by the AJC for “Best Benefits” for employees.

Connections working at Woodward.edu

Job Tags

Full time, Local area,

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