Executive Director

Diocese; Iowa; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Thomas More Center, in Des Moines Diocese, seeks an Executive Director to guide the organization’s mission for youth and young adults.

You will lead the Center’s programs, align with diocesan ministries, and supervise staff and volunteers with a focus on safety and spiritual growth. You will work with diocesan partners to design leadership curricula, manage budgets, and promote Catholic values across camping and retreat activities.

Qualifications

• Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of five years of leadership experience in administration; financial and budget management; Catholic youth/young adult ministry; or camp management.
• Proven experience in directing and supervising staff, including volunteers.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills; Spanish language competency desirable, but not required.
• Holds a valid Iowa driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Promotes the Center’s philosophy, mission, and Catholic identity in all duties.
• Supervises staff and volunteers; administers HR policies and evaluations.
• Leads strategic planning with key stakeholders and partners.
• Oversees programs such as Catholic Youth Camp and retreats.
• Maintains a culture of safety for visitors and manages risk and facilities.
• Oversees budget, finance, branding, and media usage; ensures ACA standards.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Communication

Catholic faith

Spanish language (desirable)

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Executive Director – Position Description

St. Thomas More Center

Job Title:

Executive Director

Position Type:

Fulltime, Exempt

Corporation:

St. Thomas More Center

Reports to:

Bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines or his Delegate

General Responsibilities:

The Executive Director of the St. Thomas More Center is responsible for maintaining, implementing and developing resident camping and retreat programs that are responsive to the spiritual needs of youth and young adults primarily within the Diocese of Des Moines. As the leader of an affiliated nonprofit corporation, the Executive Director fosters a comprehensive and holistic approach to youth ministry in conjunction with diocesan and parish ministries which recognizes the cultural, developmental and spiritual diversity among adolescents and young adults. The Executive Director will maintain a faith-filled, nurturing, safe and fun community that promotes Gospel values and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Essential Functions:

• Assures that the philosophy and mission of the St. Thomas More Center is apparent in the performance of duties. Communicates and promotes a strong commitment to the Center’s philosophy, mission, strategic plan, and Catholic identity.
• Supervises and mentors direct reports to ensure professional competence and skill development. Administers human resource policies, implementation, recruitment, training, and annual evaluations for employees and volunteers to ensure compliance with diocesan and secular laws, with special attention to the Safe Environment Program.
• Directs the development, implementation and evaluation of the Center’s strategic plans to ensure collaboration with key stakeholders and other community partners.
• Oversees the work of others and ensures the effectiveness of all St. Thomas More Center programs, including Catholic Youth Camp.
• Communicates and interacts effectively and professionally with youth and young adults, parents/guardians, and co-workers, including during challenging or high-stress situations in the camp environment.
• Responds promptly and appropriately to unusual, hazardous, or emergency situations, including situations requiring sustained attention, timely decision-making, and adherence to established safety and emergency procedures.
• Fosters efforts at inclusion of the Hispanic Community and others, especially South Sudanese and Burmese ethnic groups in the programs and leadership of the Center.
• Works with the Camp Director and Retreat Coordinator to design and implement a structured, leadership development curriculum for young adults serving in paid and volunteer positions.
• Works with the Retreat Coordinator to expand, oversee and promote retreat opportunities that meet the needs of youth and young adults and serves the needs of youth ministers and catechetical leaders.
• Responsible for maintaining and enhancing a culture of safety for all visitors, including campers, retreatants and employees of STMC.
• Develops and oversees the operating budget and capital expenditures of the organization; including risk management, facilities management, and technology infrastructure.
• Oversees accounting and cash handling policies and procedures for the organization.
• Oversees the corporate brand and logos to ensure effective marketing and public relations, including print, website and other media usage.
• Implements American Camp Association standards.

Additional Functions:

• As directed by the Bishop or his delegate, accepts and manages charitable gifts and works with prospective donors to support Center funds held in The Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa. Works with the Bishop and diocesan Director of Stewardship to solicit charitable support for annual and special needs; including implementation of an annual fund campaign.
• Promotes vocations to religious life and the priesthood
• Completes other assignments as directed by the Bishop and his team.

Essential Relationships:

• Supervises the Facilities Manager, Office Manager, Camp Director and Retreat Coordinator.
• Reports to the Bishop of Des Moines through the Chancellor.
• Meets at least annually with the St. Thomas More Center Board of Directors and serves as the Secretary.
• Provides updates and seeks advice from the volunteer Advisory Committee.
• Works closely with the diocesan Vicar for Evangelization, diocesan Youth Evangelization Director and other staff members of the diocesan Evangelization and Mission Team.
• Works with youth ministers and pastors to foster connections and support parish youth and young adult ministry.
• Works with diocesan staff in finance, human resources, property management, development, and vocations.
• Works with representatives of the Lake Panorama Association.

Minimum Knowledge/Skills and Abilities Required:

• Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church.
• Holds a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of five years of successful leadership experience in any of the following: administration; financial and budget management; Catholic youth and young adult ministry; or camp management.
• Proven experience and skills in directing and supervising staff; including volunteers.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills; Spanish language competency desirable, but not required.
• Obtains and maintains any necessary certifications.
• Holds a valid Iowa driver’s license.

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Frequently required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds regularly and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Regularly exposed to outside weather conditions, especially Iowa summer weather.
• Noise levels in the work environment are consistent with activities involving 175-200 youth.

Special Conditions:

• This position will maintain a year round office at St. Thomas More Center and has the opportunity for remote work seasonally.
• Significant time at camp location is expected during summer season (overnight housing will be provided to reduce drive time).
• Travel to conferences and other training. Valid/unexpired driver's license required. Must meet organization's driver eligibility and insurance requirements.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.