Executive Director

About the role

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of St. Edmund's Retreat, overseeing two ministry sites on Enders Island and the Matulaitis Center. The role requires visionary leadership, mission integration, and strategic planning to advance the retreat's Catholic mission of hospitality, spiritual renewal, and evangelization.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership to advance St. Edmund's Retreat's mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives for Board of Trustees approval.
• Build and lead a high-performing executive leadership team.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and mission integration.
• Serve as the chief executive and organizational ambassador.
• Mission and Catholic Identity
• Ensure that all ministries and organizational activities reflect the Catholic mission and values of St. Edmund's Retreat.
• Promote a culture of hospitality, spiritual renewal, and servant leadership.
• Collaborate with clergy, retreat leaders, and ministry partners to enhance the organization's spiritual impact.
• Represent the organization within the Diocese and the broader Catholic community.
• Board Relations and Governance
• Serve as the principal advisor to the Board of Trustees.
• Partner with the Board and the President on strategic planning and governance.
• Implement Board-approved policies.
• Provide regular reports on organizational performance.
• Support Board committees and annual planning.
• Organizational Leadership
• Provide executive oversight of the Executive team.
• Hold senior leaders accountable for organizational performance.
• Ensure effective coordination across ministries and departments.
• Promote organizational effectiveness through evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Guide succession planning and leadership development.
• Advancement and External Relations
• Serve as the organization's chief relationship builder.
• Lead major gift cultivation and donor stewardship.
• Build relationships with foundations, benefactors, diocesan leaders, and community partners.
• Partner with the Board of Trustees, the President, and external fundraising consultants to advance philanthropic initiatives.
• Represent the organization at community and Church events.
• Champion strategic communications and organizational visibility.
• Oversee the Mission Advancement Department.
• Executive Oversight of Operations
• Provide executive oversight of operational functions through the Chief Operating Officer & VP of Operations and senior leadership team.
• Ensure operational excellence consistent with both the organization's mission and strategic goals.
• Monitor organizational performance through established metrics and reporting.
• Support major capital improvements and long-range campus planning.
• Allocate resources to achieve strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• Practicing Catholic in good standing with commitment to the teachings, traditions, and mission of the Catholic Church.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, nonprofit management, public administration, theology, pastoral ministry, or a related field is required; master's degree or higher strongly preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive executive leadership experience in a nonprofit, Catholic ministry, healthcare, higher education, retreat center, or other mission-driven organization.
• Successful track record of major gift fundraising, donor stewardship, and advancement leadership, including capital campaigns, planned giving, and foundation relations.
• Strong financial and business management skills, including budgeting, long-term planning, and organizational sustainability.
• Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clergy, religious communities, board members, donors, volunteers, diocesan leaders, and community partners.
• Demonstrated integrity, sound judgment, discretion, and a collaborative leadership style rooted in service.