Lilly Endowment Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Position Title: Administrative Assistant – Testify! Project

Department: Testify! Initiative

Reports to: Program Director

Classification: On-site; Full-time, Hourly, Non-Exempt, 30-hour workweek

Starting Pay: $23.00 - $25.00 hourly ($35,880 - $39,000 annually)

ABOUT Christian Theological Seminary – Two Schools One Mission

CTS is a fully accredited ecumenical academic learning community offering graduate programs through its School of Theology and School of Counseling, as well as accessible mental health services through the Counseling Center. Additionally, it collaborates with the Faith & Action Project to mitigate poverty. Located in Indianapolis. Related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we welcome people of all denominations, faith expressions, and spiritualities. Our community diversity helps us create an intellectually rigorous, spiritually formative, and emotionally supportive education that equips our students to go into the world and serve-whether that's in the church or the broader community.

ABOUT Testify!

Testify! is a five-year Lilly Endowment initiative revitalizing testimony traditions in Black churches nationwide through artistic collaboration and digital empowerment. The project partners with churches across the country, produces city-wide events, and creates digital resources to support testimony as a spiritual formation practice.

JOB SUMMARY: We are seeking a resourceful, entrepreneurial Administrative Assistant who thrives in fast-paced, startup-style environments. This role provides critical day-to-day operational support to the Program Director, managing communications, scheduling, travel, logistics, and data systems while bringing initiative, adaptability, and creative problem-solving to every challenge. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who sees beyond the task list, anticipates needs, and takes ownership in a dynamic, mission-driven initiative.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Administrative Support

• Manage Program Director's calendar and schedule meetings with church partners, artists, and stakeholders
• Process correspondence and respond to routine inquiries
• Prepare meeting materials, agendas, and minutes
• Maintain organized filing systems for project documentation
• Coordinate communications with partner organizations as directed

Travel Coordination & Event Facilitation

• Coordinate end-to-end travel logistics for staff and program participants, booking flights, hotels, and ground transportation, managing itineraries, and handling last-minute changes with composure
• Facilitate and support city-wide events and retreats, including on-site logistics coordination, registration management, vendor communications, and attendee experience
• Co-facilitate or support program sessions, workshops, or convenings as needed, stepping in where gaps arise and keeping events on track
• Coordinate with caterers, venues, and vendors; manage timelines and checklists to ensure smooth execution
• Provide on-site administrative and facilitation support during Testify! events, including occasional evening and weekend coverage

Office & Project Support

• Proofread and copy-edit correspondence, grant documentation, and program materials with strong attention to detail
• Maintain office supplies and materials inventory; coordinate with CTS departments on cross-functional administrative needs
• Bring an entrepreneurial mindset to operational challenges, identifying inefficiencies, proposing solutions, and implementing improvements without waiting to be asked
• Perform other duties as assigned; adapt quickly as project priorities evolve

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will report to the program director and should possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to fulfill the essential functions of the position and demonstrate successful experience and proficiency in the following:

• Associate degree or higher, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 2 years of administrative support experience in a fast-paced environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel - comfortable with formulas, filters, and data organization for reporting and tracking purposes
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and SharePoint for document management and team collaboration
• Experience coordinating travel logistics for staff or program participants, including booking, itinerary management, and real-time problem-solving
• Experience facilitating or co-facilitating events, workshops, meetings, or convenings
• Entrepreneurial spirit - takes initiative, identifies opportunities for improvement, and operates effectively with autonomy in ambiguous or evolving situations
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing deadlines and adapt quickly to shifting priorities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a professional demeanor
• Strong attention to detail and reliable follow-through in a high-accountability environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in nonprofit, faith-based, or educational organization settings
• Familiarity with project management tools (Asana, Trello, Monday.com, Notion, or similar)
• Prior startup or initiative-stage project experience
• Comfort with AI productivity tools (Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT) to streamline administrative workflow
• Basic video conferencing and virtual event facilitation skills (Zoom Webinar, Teams Live Events, or similar)

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office-based position at Christian Theological Seminary (Indianapolis, IN)
• Standard business hours with occasional evening or weekend work for Testify! events
• Some physical requirements, including lifting up to 25 lbs

APPLICATION PROCESS

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Qualified candidates should apply online using the application link and submit the following:

• Resume highlighting relevant experience
• References will be requested before any initial offers
• Questions may be sent to humanresources@cts.edu

MORE ABOUT CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

CTS equips leaders to embody God's liberative, restorative, and life-affirming message. As a national leader in training practitioner-scholars, CTS pioneered the nation's first PhD program in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric. CTS is a fully accredited ecumenical academic learning community offering graduate programs through its School of Theology and School of Counseling, as well as accessible mental health services through the Counseling Center. Learn more at http://www.cts.edu/

CTS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate with respect to recruitment, hiring, or any other status of employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other category protected by law.