Chief of Staff

Vision

The Director of Parish Operations (DPO) will be responsible for general oversight of the administration of resources and people to ensure they serve the stated mission of St. Madeline Parish. The DPO will work closely with the Pastor and the Pastoral Team to create a culture of missionary discipleship through established pastoral priorities. The intent of this position is to free the Pastor from administrative responsibilities so that he may focus on priestly duties that only an ordained minister can perform. The DPO reports to the Pastor and works closely with him to effectively bridge mission and management within a Catholic parish context. The DPO will provide leadership and management for the day-to-day operations and support the planning and implementation for future growth, development, and continuity in pastoral and administrative initiatives.

Duties & Responsibilities

Mission & Vision Development:

• Collaborate with the Pastor through the Next Generation Parish program, a service provided by the Catholic Leadership Institute, to identify and chart a path toward a clear mission and vision for the parish. This process will need to be revisited periodically to evaluate and refine the parish’s vision and mission as circumstances change over time.
• Help various existing and future parish groups charter themselves under the stated parish mission and vision.
Identify companies or Archdiocesan opportunities that provide valuable resources to prepare the hearts and minds of parishioners for discipleship and evangelization.

Team Leadership:

• Support and supervise members of the Pastoral Team to provide effective guidance and coordination among strategic initiatives. This includes leading internal team meetings, providing individual professional support as needed to strengthen team performance, and coordinating development opportunities for the Pastoral Team in the areas of mission and discipleship.
Exercise oversight and ongoing support for parish events.

Finance and Stewardship:

• Oversee the preparation of financial plans, annual budgets, and parishioner disclosure reports for financial transparency.
• Work with existing parish structures to develop a parish financial strategy, including development and fundraising.
Monitor and evaluate cash flow on an ongoing basis in conjunction with the parish business manager.

Human & Technology Resources:

• Assist the Pastor in professional development and personnel matters, including identifying and recruiting committed disciples to fill open positions and ensuring succession planning and vacation coverage for all roles.
• Ensure that needed technology is procured, upgraded, and maintained to facilitate the parish mission.
Oversight of volunteers and parish staff is an essential responsibility of this position, including enforcing office discipline as necessary.

Campus & Facilities Oversight:

• Guide property projects to completion by overseeing the Facilities Manager and volunteers / contracted services to meet the parish’s facility needs, including the rectory, church, Spiritual Life Center, and parish hall. This will involve prioritizing projects and managing the budget for facilities maintenance as well as developing and maintaining necessary security upgrades and protocols.
• Assemble and oversee a team to increase contact and follow up with parishioners experiencing significant sacramental or life events. This includes outreach to newly married couples, families of those recently baptized, and families of the recently deceased. Develop and oversee an onboarding process for new parishioners in collaboration with the parish secretary.
• Ensure the parish meets all statutory and Archdiocesan reporting requirements in a timely and accurate manner.
• Identify, develop, and maintain relationships with partners to support and advance the parish vision and mission.
• Represent the Pastor—when delegated—to external parties and oversee public relations and communications.

Outreach & Evangelization Leadership:

External Relationships:

Liturgical Assistance:

Assist the Pastor in the organization, preparation, and execution of significant liturgical events, such as funerals, 40 Hours Devotions, Confirmation, Christmas and Holy Week.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be a committed and engaged Catholic who is on fire with love for Jesus Christ and His Church. The candidate must live the Faith vibrantly through participation in Sunday Mass, Holy Days of Obligation, and regular encounters with Jesus in the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist. The candidate must be eager to share the Good News with others and live a life in alignment with the teachings of the Church. The candidate will also be an excellent steward capable of administering the parish’s resources.

The candidate should also possess:

• Professionalism in writing and speaking.
• Superior interpersonal, communication, organizational, computer, and leadership skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a team while serving as the voice of the Pastor in many day-to-day situations.
• Demonstrated experience in innovative approaches to problem solving.
• Commitment to professional growth and personal holiness.
An advanced degree or certification in Church Management or a related field (commensurate experience will be considered). Master’s degree in Theology or Church Management is preferred.

Working Conditions

An office space will be provided in the parish offices.

Contact

Submit a resume and any relevant supporting documents to Fr. Seán Loomis at pastor.stmadeline@gmail.com.

About the Parish

St. Madeline Parish is composed of approximately 2,000 registered households in the Ridley Park neighborhood of Ridley Township. The parish operates a regional parish school that oversees the Catholic education of approximately 315 students.