Senior Director - Parish Engagement

Catholic Charities; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is seeking a Senior Director, Parish Engagement to lead and deepen relationships with 200+ parishes across Cook and Lake counties, aligning parish work with CCAC services, volunteer opportunities, and fundraising.

The role shapes engagement strategy, leads a staff team, fosters collaboration with Archdiocese leaders, and drives measurable impact through data, training, and accountable leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in nonprofit management, pastoral ministry, theology, social work, public administration, communications, community development, or a related field.
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in parish, nonprofit, community engagement, volunteer engagement, program management, mission integration, or related work.

Responsibilities

• Steers parish engagement initiatives from design through evaluation, using engagement data to measure impact and strengthen outcomes.
• Implement the strategy set by the VP of Community Programs and in alignment with organizational priorities. Leads and develops the internal Parish Engagement working group by setting clear goals and expectations, monitoring performance, and providing regular feedback and guidance.
• Strengthens relationships with the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Director of Vicariate Operations, and parish leaders fostering connection to Catholic Charities programming.
• Inspires excellence by modeling accountability, collaboration, and solution-oriented thinking, and ensures group members are supported, empowered, and high-performing while fostering a positive, purpose-driven culture.
• Develops staff capability through ongoing training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Cultivate a culture of continuous learning, feedback, and improvement to strengthen team engagement, retention, and impact.
• Exhibit alignment with the team's clear goals that are mission-focused, grounded in Catholic Charities history, and tied to action.
• Contribute to a joy-filled culture built upon respect and inclusion, team pride, and community spirit.
• Collaborate effectively to support excellent process, accountability, and constructive conflict.
• Demonstrate a commitment to growth through learning, forgiveness, and reflection.

Skills

Engagement strategy design

Cross-functional collaboration

Data reporting

Dashboards

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Raiser's Edge

Job description

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago partners with mission-driven people and organizations across Cook and Lake counties to witness a message of mercy and hope to a world in need by improving lives and nourishing spirits; strengthening and empowering people, families, and communities; and committing to being present to our times through the eyes of faith.

The Senior Director, Parish Engagement plays a critical leadership role in building and deepening CCAC's relationships with the 200+ Catholic parishes that make up the Archdiocese of Chicago.

This leader is charged with working across CCAC to deepen parish engagement in Catholic Charities' services, volunteer opportunities, and fundraising.

Role Responsibilities:

Steers parish engagement initiatives from design through evaluation, using engagement data to measure impact and strengthen outcomes.

Implement the strategy set by the VP of Community Programs and in alignment with organizational priorities. Leadsand develops the internal Parish Engagement working groupby setting clear goals and expectations,monitoringperformance, and providing regular feedback and guidance.

Strengthens relationships with the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Director of Vicariate Operations, and parish leaders fostering connection to Catholic Charities programming.

Inspires excellence by modeling accountability, collaboration, and solution-oriented thinking, and ensures group members are supported, empowered, and high-performing while fostering a positive, purpose-driven culture.

Develops staff capability through ongoing training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Cultivate a culture of continuous learning, feedback, and improvement to strengthen team engagement, retention, and impact.

Team Member Responsibilities

• Exhibit alignment with the team's clear goals that are mission-focused, grounded in Catholic Charities history, and tied to action.
• Contribute to a joy-filled culture built upon respect and inclusion, team pride, and community spirit.
• Collaborate effectively to support excellent process, accountability, and constructive conflict.
• Demonstrate a commitment to growth through learning, forgiveness, and reflection.

Living Our Values

• Courageous Compassion: Welcome and serve all with an open heart, empathic listening, and a commitment to radical hospitality.
• Solidarity: Embrace shared humanity by celebrating and giving voice to our differences and choosing the path of collaboration and inclusion.
• Faith-filled Hope and Joy: Uplift each other in times of darkness and celebrate together in times of light, leaning in with humility, humor, and hope.
• Meaningful and Measurable Impact: Meet human need with love, balance immediate action with lasting change, and act with accountability through dialogue, analyses, and reflection.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

Bachelor's degree required in nonprofit management, pastoral ministry, theology, social work, public administration, communications, community development, or a related field

• 5--7 years of progressively responsible experience in parish, nonprofit, community engagement, volunteer engagement, program management, mission integration, or related work, including experience building partnerships across multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to design engagement strategies, manage cross-functional collaboration, develop operating processes, track participation data, and produce reporting or dashboards to inform leadership decisions.
• Ability to travel regularly throughout Cook and Lake County

Preferred Education and Experience Requirements

Master's degree in nonprofit management, pastoral ministry, theology, social work, public administration, communications, community development, or a related field

• Familiarity with the Catholic faith and parish structures, Archdiocesan relationships, social service delivery, volunteer training, donor or in-kind engagement
• Experience with CRM/database tools including SalesForce and Raiser's Edge

Additional Requirements

X Background check, including any program specific requirements

Physical examination

Drug Testing

X Driver's License and reliable transportation Agency-specified automobile insurance

$110,000 - $130,000 / year

Pay Transparency

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 (820 ILCS 112/5, et seq.), Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is required to provide the wages and benefits that it reasonably expects in good faith to offer for any specific job positions posted. Please note that the exact compensation package ultimately offered to an applicant may vary based on skills, experience, and location, amongst other permissible factors.

Locations

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Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and consideration for employment is made without regard to: race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Catholic Charites is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an email to [e-mail] or call 312-655-7127 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.