Executive Director

Chesterton Academy of Notre Dame; Las Cruces (NM); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Competitive salary

Job summary

Catholic Charities Diocese of Las Cruces (CCDLC) is seeking an Executive Director to provide strategic leadership, financial stewardship, and donor development. The role focuses on strengthening diocesan partnerships, guiding program quality, and representing CCDLC in community initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of executive nonprofit leadership, a strong Catholic identity, and a proven track record in fundraising and governance within mission-driven organizations.

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 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, or other mission-driven organization.
• Working understanding of the issues affecting immigrants, victims of crime, and the individuals and families CCDLC serves.
• A track record of setting strategic priorities and following through with measurable results.
• 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.
• Experience supervising staff. 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, service-rooted leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Catholic Mission and Diocesan Partnership: Integrates Catholic identity and Catholic social teaching into CCDLC's programs, communications, and decisions.
• Strategic Leadership and Board Partnership: Advises the Board, translates goals into priorities, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
• Financial Management and Stewardship: Develops the annual budget and monitors financial performance with board oversight.
• Fundraising and Resources Development: Leads annual resource development, cultivates major donors, and oversees grants and foundation relations.
• Programs and Quality Improvement: Assesses community needs, sets program goals, and reviews outcomes.
• Operational and Compliance: Oversees executive team, licenses, accreditation, and reporting requirements.
• Community Representation and Communication: Serves as CCDLC's principal spokesperson and represents the organization publicly.

Skills

Catholic leadership

Fundraising

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Board governance

Communications

Staff leadership

Collaboration

Compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/nonprofit management/theology

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Accounting software

CRM systems

Job description

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. 1. Catholic Mission and Diocesan Partnership

   • Integrates Catholic identity and Catholic social teaching into CCDLC's programs, communications, and decisions.
   • Builds and maintains a working partnership with diocesan leadership, clergy and parishes, consulting on matters that affect the broader Catholic community while retaining day-to-day operational authority delegated by the Board.
   • Represents CCDLC publicly and within the Diocese as a Catholic, nonpartisan ministry committed to the dignity of those it serves and to the broader Catholic community.

2. 2. Strategic Leadership and Board Partnership

   • Serves as the principal advisor to the Board, providing clear, timely information for informed governance and decision making.
   • Partners with the Board to set organizational goals and translates them into actionable priorities, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
   • Leads organizational improvements within Board established parameters and reports regularly on progress toward agreed goals.

3. 3. Financial Management and Stewardship

   • Develops the annual budget with the Treasurer and relevant Board committee for Board approval and manages operations within it.
   • Monitors financial performance and funding risk on an ongoing basis, flags issues early, and recommends corrective action to safeguard organizational stability.
   • Oversees expenditures and disbursements within Board delegated authority and ensures compliance with all financial, audit, and reporting requirements.

4. 4. Fundraising and Resources Development

   • Leads CCDLC's annual resource development plan, ensuring alignment with program needs and long term financial priorities.
   • Personally cultivates, solicits, and stewards major donors, and oversees all grant proposals, funding requests, and foundation relations.
   • Expands CCDLC's donor base by mobilizing the Board, staff, parishes, and community partners in coordinated fundraising efforts.
   • Builds and maintains strategic relationships with benefactors, foundations, diocesan leaders, and community partners to strengthen philanthropic support.
   • Partners with the Bishop, Board, and external consultants to advance major fundraising initiatives and enhance organizational visibility.

5. 5. Programs and Quality Improvement

   • Assess community needs and works with program leaders to keep services effective, set program-level goals, and review results through CCDLC's quality-improvement process.
   • Recommends new or adjusted programs based on demonstrated need and available resources.
   • Tracks the operational impact of immigration-related policy and funding changes, drawing on qualified staff expertise, while keeping attention on CCDLC's full range of services.

6. 6. Operational and Compliance

   • Provides executive oversight of the executive team, ensuring accountability for organizational performance and alignment with CCDLC's mission and strategic priorities.
   • Manages day to day operations, maintaining all licenses, accreditation, and compliance requirements set by funders, governing authorities, and regulatory bodies.
   • Strengthens administrative systems, internal communication, and operational processes to support staff effectiveness and organizational efficiency.
   • Leads succession planning, leadership development, and long term operational planning, including capital investments, infrastructure, and campus development.

7. 7. Community Representation and Communication

   • Serves as CCDLC's principal spokesperson, building relationships with clients, donors, community agencies, government partners, and faith-based organizations.
   • Maintains CCDLC's liaison relationship with Catholic Charities USA and represents the organization in relevant community initiatives.
   • Directs outreach, website, and social media efforts to build public understanding of CCDLC's mission and impact.

Additional Job Functions

• Performs other responsibilities consistent with the role of Executive Director and organizational priorities, in collaboration with the Bishop.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Practicing Catholic in good standing with commitment to the teachings, traditions, and mission of the Catholic Church.
• Genuine commitment to CCDLC's mission and to serving individuals and families with compassion, cultural awareness, and respect.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, nonprofit management, public administration, theology, pastoral ministry, or 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, or other mission-driven organization.
• Working understanding of the issues affecting immigrants, victims of crime, and the individuals and families CCDLC serves.
• A track record of setting strategic priorities and following through with measurable results.
• 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.
• Experience supervising staff. 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, service-rooted leadership style.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• A comprehensive benefits package is offered. Additional details will be provided to finalist candidates.

PHYSICAL AND WORK REQUIREMENTS

• Full-time, exempt position. Core hours are generally 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday; additional hours are occasionally required to meet organizational needs.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. Use computer hardware and software for extended periods of time (repetitive motion). Sitting for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace that honors the dignity of every person. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and ensure fair consideration without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.