Job details

Director of Vicariate Operations

The Archdiocese of Chicago (AoC) is the third largest diocese in the United States and serves more than 2.2 million Catholics. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 15,000 employees across its ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region’s largest non-profit social service agency. The Archdiocese’s elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems.

The Director of Vicariate Operations is responsible for taking a leadership role in determining the strategic direction of the Vicariate and developing, implementing and monitoring progress of the plan. The Director oversees the financial and operational aspects of the Vicariate and Parishes and makes recommendations as appropriate. The Director provides guidance and counsel to the Vicar, Deans, Pastors, Priests and Business Managers and must proactively build their trust and earn their respect. The Director is a senior member of the Vicariate Management Team and is the administrative representative of the Vicar.

Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Implementation

Analyze parish (church and school) financial trends through use of tools such as, but not limited to, annual reports, budgets and Parish historical data in order to:

· Assimilate information gathered from all sources to help develop a well-informed perspective allowing for better diagnosis of root causes of Parish operational and financial challenges.

· Evaluate performance against best practices.

· Identify priority opportunities for improvement.

· Patiently work through key issues, problems and opportunities to leverage stronger Parish performance.

· Provide Vicariate level feedback for use in Parish strategic planning.

Work with parishes and Vicariate counterparts to create Parish-wide strategies and goals focusing on operations, finance and administration.

· Create measurable improvement plans with individual Parishes and monitor progress.

· Partner with Office of Catholic Schools (OCS) to create measurable strategies and performance goals/action plans for the school.

· Partner with Vicariate Management Team to create measurable operational strategies and performance goals which will help strengthen the Mission and vitality of Parishes Vicariate-wide.

Support, Consulting and Coaching

·Provide strategic financial/administrative support and consultation by reviewing annual reports and budgets, working with Parishes on Capital Project funding assessments, coordinating payroll advances and acting as financial approval authority for AIM and select Parish Improvement Program (PIP) locations.

·Identify operational, financial and administrative issues and challenges that need Vicar and/or Dean attention and insuring strong communications and understanding between the Pastoral Center, local Vicar, Vicariate Management Team, Pastors and Parish leaders.

·Advise and support the Vicar and Deans in developing Vicariate strategy as well as options and possible solutions to administrative and financial issues through activities such as budget feedback and annual Parish review and provide follow-up.

·Build relationships and cultivate the highest level of trust with Pastors and staff in order to understand the Parish Mission and to help drive improvement through best practices in finance and administration.

·Assist Parishes to identify, interview, and develop/coach and retain business staff support by counseling Pastors on skills requirements and giving feedback on current staffing.

· Counsel pastors and Parishes, as appropriate, on the best way to address administrative concerns (e.g., HR, Facilities & Construction, Real Estate, Insurance) by providing “first-level” guidance.

· Act as manager of resources for multi-faceted projects that often require strategic coordination across multiple departments, stakeholder groups and timelines and participate as appropriate.

· Work with the Parish Finance and Administration group and the Department of Financial Services to help develop best-in-class common tools, processes and approaches across Vicariates.

·Provide support and counsel to Vicariate Management Team and Parishes on Archdiocesan lead strategic initiatives including such areas as Renew My Church and PIP.

·Enable the Vicariate Management Team to set and execute individual administrative plans.

·Oversee preparation of annual Vicariate budget and monitor performance against budget.

· Provides business management guidance to Business Managers and/or Parish leaders which support Archdiocese of Chicago best practices and administration.

·Address Parish general issues/challenges with Pastor and resolve as appropriate.

Job Specifications

Education Required:

· Bachelor’s degree, specializing in business administration, accounting, finance or related field.

Experience Required:

· Minimum of 5 years of related business experience; 10+ years is preferred. Experience with and understanding of parish life.

Skills Required:

· Strong understanding of financial and accounting concepts.

· Strong ability to analyze data and determine implications; high comfort level with Excel and QuickBooks. Strong leadership skills; comfort assuming an advisory role with Vicars, Pastors and Parish Leaders. Strong interpersonal skills, including an ability to work in Parishes that are ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse.

· Strong planning and organization skills; ability to handle multiple priorities and tasks.

· Strong oral and written communication skills.

· Strong understanding of Church and parish life.

· Ability to speak Spanish Preferred.

· Other Required: Must demonstrate understanding, respect and support for Catholic Church teaching, mission, and values.

The Archdiocese of Chicago is in the midst of exciting changes as we renew our local Church. With a variety of opportunities to contribute your professional talents and experience, we invite you to consider any of our current openings at archchicago.org/careers. We offer competitive salary and benefit packages, as well as opportunities for professional and personal growth and development.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits: