Manager of Mission Programs

Job Description

CATHOLIC EXTENSION SOCIETY

Founded in 1905, Catholic Extension Society's mission is to work in solidarity with people to build up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities among the poor in the poorest regions of America. Catholic Extension Society accomplishes this by strategically partnering with Catholic dioceses to build facilities, educate leaders, and support essential ministries in the most under-resourced regions of the country. With its high-touch and innovative approach, Catholic Extension Society helps Catholic faith communities build their capacity to inspire hope and drive positive change.

The organization's impactful initiatives include programs and projects on the southern border, post-hurricane rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico, support for college campus ministry and youth outreach, church and funding scholarships of lay and ordained leaders at major Catholic Universities. In the past year alone, Catholic Extension Society's collective programs and partnerships had a financial impact exceeding $225 million across 40 U.S. states and territories.

To sustain this vital mission, the organization annually raises $25-30 million from 25,000 donors through a mature and comprehensive development program featuring diverse revenue streams. For a deeper understanding of philanthropy's role at Catholic Extension Society and the impact of its mission, explore the insights provided in its 2023 Annual Report.

Catholic Extension Society, headquartered in Chicago, boasts a dedicated full-time staff of 50 professionals, either based in the headquarters or regional offices. The team comprises talented and experienced individuals thriving in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment with a strong emphasis on collaboration and a team-focused culture. For further details about Catholic Extension Society, visit the CE Website.

MANAGER OF MISSION PROGRAMS

With support from major donors and foundations, Catholic Extension Society's mission department develops strategic relationships with Catholic community leaders to nurture, optimize and implement funding programs and nationwide projects that have a transformative impact on their faith communities and the marginalized populations they serve. Annually, Catholic Extension Society supports more than 1,200 projects for a total of approximately $20 million in funding.

Comprised of seven full-time positions reporting to the Chief Mission Officer, the mission team oversees grant making but also works closely with the fundraising staff to ensure that current and potential donors are aware of how their support makes a difference. The mission team also collaborates closely with Catholic Extension Society's marketing, communications, and public relations team - to share program results, major social and pastoral trends and information about the good work of the Church in the communities we support.

The Manager of Mission Programs will play a key role in coordinating and implementing existing funding initiatives, especially focused on the Hispanic community, that allow Catholic Extension Society to have an enormous impact on the future of the Church and society. These initiatives include programs that empower marginalized women, offer scholarship programs for young adults aspiring to be faith leaders, and growing the Catholic Church's pastoral and social presence among immigrant, indigenous, and under-served communities.

Specifically, the Manager of Mission Programs will coordinate emerging funding programs that primarily support immigrant and Spanish-speaking communities. In addition, the manager will be responsible for supporting Catholic Extension Society's Mission Immersion Programs with pastors, donors, and parish partners by creating experiences that result in donors feeling educated about and "immersed in" the projects and people they support or plan to support.

Reporting to the Director of Mission Programs, the manager will

1. Coordinate existing programs and initiatives, especially those focused on Church leaders (60%)

a) Build strong relationships with communities around the country through in-person visits to understand their unique circumstances and opportunities for engagement

b) Communicate and recruit participants in the various initiatives, ensuring they meet the required criteria.

c) Serve as the primary contact to build trust and strengthen bonds between Catholic Extension Society and the organizations and individuals who are participating in these initiatives.

d) Liaise with national and regional Catholic organizations to create a network of support for Catholic Extension Society's various programs.

e) Create and maintain formal alliances with implementing partners to provide cost-effective programs and additional educational resources or programming opportunities.

f) Work with funding recipients to develop strategies to support the continuation of programs after Catholic Extension Society's grants have concluded.

g) Organize logistics, prepare content, and provide follow up for gatherings of leaders.

h) Support and organize events, both in-person and online for our funding recipients and partners.

2. Work cooperatively with other teams at Catholic Extension Society to strategically develop and maintain a vibrant Mission Immersion Program (20%)

a) Identify appropriate opportunities for donors, parish partners and pastors to participate and engage in mission projects and programs. This includes supporting our Mission Immersion Program for Pastors.

b) Execute logistics and all the hands-on work needed to lead a successful travel experience, which might include participating in or leading an immersion trip.

c) Provide strategic input on logistics and content of immersion experiences that inspire donor passion for the mission.

d) Identify and engage external mission experts who deepen the immersion experience through education and preparation of donors before their trip.

e) Track and evaluate mission experiences to continually improve the program over time.

3. Analyze the impact Catholic Extension Society is having and identify ways to improve, adjust, and inform future Mission strategies (15%)

a) Arrange trips and meetings in the communities supported through these initiatives to collect information, perform outcome assessments, diagnose areas of success and improvement, and ensure diocesan/parish compliance with the terms of a particular funding agreement.

b) Gather and manage data on these initiatives and prepare quarterly outcome reports that provide insightful quantitative and qualitative information for Catholic Extension Society's funders, implementing partners, and other departments within the organization.

4. Contribute to strategy (5%)

a) Collaborate with the Chief Mission Officer, as well as other members of the team, to make meaningful contributions and help formulate strategy and creative direction for Mission programs.

b) Maintain a thorough knowledge of Catholic Extension Society's Mission initiatives, funding requests, and impact stories to serve as an integral leader on the mission team and ensure a strong department.

c) Work with team members to help research, design and implement emerging initiatives.

d) Over time, lead other new initiatives that, if well executed, will have substantial national impact and allow Catholic Extension Society to forge new opportunities.

Additional expectations of the Manager of Mission Programs include:
• Frequent travel*, to primarily U.S. destinations, with occasional travel abroad.
• Ability to drive and transport others while on work-related travel.
• Serve as a valued member of the team, working cooperatively with others.
• Be a role model for integrity, fiscal responsibility, ethical behavior, and managerial excellence that supports Catholic Extension Society's mission.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Catholic Extension Society is looking for a post-college professional to join our Chicago office. Candidates should have at least 5 years of work experience, ideally within a midsize or larger nonprofit, university, or Catholic organization. We especially value candidates with experience in leadership roles or service provision within the Hispanic community. Other desirable attributes include:
• The individual must be bilingual in Spanish and English, with proficiency in both spoken and written communication.
• Regular travel is required, estimated at 5-10 nights per month depending on workflow. While most travel is domestic, some international travel may also be necessary.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, along with business acumen in program and project management, marketing and communications, fundraising, grantmaking, or recruiting. Please note, this is not a ministry role.
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset, capable of generating creative ideas and seeing them through to successful implementation.
• Strategic thinker who can navigate ambiguity and handle unstructured tasks in changing situations.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines effectively.
• Track record for exercising sound judgment.
• Perceptive and energetic.
• Demonstrated skills in listening, engaging and building rapport with a variety of audiences, including donors, church hierarchy, pastors and parishioners of various cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the Catholic Church's work with under-resourced populations, along with a commitment to and understanding of its mission and teachings.
• Ability to interpret the mission and programs of Catholic Extension Society to various external constituencies.
• Confident driver with a valid driver's license and a clean driving record, capable of driving long distances in various weather, road, and traffic conditions.
TO APPLY

Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your qualifications for and interest in the position to our search partner DeVine Consulting at CE2024.missionmgr@gmail.com. We hope to fill the role in the first quarter of 2025.

About the Employer

Catholic Extension Society is a fundraising organization that helps ensure that all American Catholics can practice their faith within vibrant faith communities.

Together with our donors, we connect poor and remote Catholic communities with essential financial support, educational partnerships, and infrastructure.