Executive Director

Ruotolo Associates Inc.; Mystic (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Edmund's Retreat, Inc. seeks an Executive Director to provide strategic, operational, financial, and administrative leadership across two ministry sites.

The role involves working with the Board, President, clergy, staff, volunteers, and donors to advance hospitality, spiritual renewal, and evangelization while guiding long-term sustainability. The position requires strong fundraising, governance, and organizational development skills, with an emphasis on building a culture of collaboration

Qualifications

• Catholic faith and mission alignment required.
• Bachelor's degree required; master's preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of nonprofit executive leadership.
• Proven track record in major gift fundraising and donor stewardship.
• Strong financial management and budgeting skills.
• Excellent written and public speaking abilities.
• Ability to work with clergy, donors, boards and community partners.
• Integrity and collaborative leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership to advance mission, vision, and priorities.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives for Board approval.
• Build and lead a high-performing executive leadership team.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and mission integration.
• Serve as the chief executive and organizational ambassador.
• Oversee advancement and external relations with foundations, donors, and partners.
• Coordinate with Board, President, and external fundraising consultants.

Skills

Executive leadership experience

Fundraising / advancement leadership

Budgeting / financial planning

Public speaking

Relationship building

Strategic planning

Collaborative leadership

Discretion / integrity

Board governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field

Master's degree or higher preferred

Job description

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of St. Edmund's Retreat, which has two ministry sites, Enders Island and the Matulaitis Center, providing visionary, mission-centered leadership to advance its Catholic mission of hospitality, spiritual renewal, and evangelization. Reporting to the Board of Trustees and collaborating closely with the President, the Executive Director provides overall strategic, operational, financial, and administrative leadership, including advancement and fundraising, finance, facilities, human resources, and community relations. Working collaboratively with the Board, staff, clergy, volunteers, donors, and community partners, the Executive Director ensures the organization's long-term sustainability and fosters a welcoming environment where guests encounter faith, healing, and renewal through the organization's ministries.

MISSION INTEGRATION

The Executive Director embraces and models the teachings of the Catholic Church and actively supports the retreats' spiritual mission. This role ensures all advancement initiatives authentically reflect the Gospel, uphold Catholic values, and communicate the transformative impact of all its ministries. By fostering a culture of philanthropy within both retreat centers, the Executive Director plays a key leadership role in designing, implementing, and expanding a comprehensive advancement program.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Executive Leadership

• 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

Additional Job Functions

• Perform other position-related duties as necessary and/or as assigned by the President.

REQUIRED 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.

SALARY 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.
• Occasional travel may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• 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.

St. Edmund's Retreat, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the dignity of the person. We welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds who are inspired by its mission.

Members of religious communities, clergy, and other men and women of faith are encouraged to apply, as are lay leaders who are committed to advancing the Catholic mission and values of its ministries.

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of St. Edmund's Retreat, which has two ministry sites, Enders Island and the Matulaitis Center, providing visionary, mission-centered leadership to advance its Catholic mission of hospitality, spiritual renewal, and evangelization. Reporting to the Board of Trustees and collaborating closely with the President, the Executive Director provides overall strategic, operational, financial, and administrative leadership, including advancement and fundraising, finance, facilities, human resources, and community relations. Working collaboratively with the Board, staff, clergy, volunteers, donors, and community partners, the Executive Director ensures the organization's long-term sustainability and fosters a welcoming environment where guests encounter faith, healing, and renewal through the organization's ministries.

POSITION SUMMARY

MISSION INTEGRATION

The Executive Director embraces and models the teachings of the Catholic Church and actively supports the retreats' spiritual mission. This role ensures all advancement initiatives authentically reflect the Gospel, uphold Catholic values, and communicate the transformative impact of all its ministries. By fostering a culture of philanthropy within both retreat centers, the Executive Director plays a key leadership role in designing, implementing, and expanding a comprehensive advancement program.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Executive Leadership

• 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.

2. 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