Director of Pastoral Ministries

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Pastoral Ministries serves as a key member of the Parish Family Leadership Team and reports directly to the Pastor. Under the Pastor's leadership, this role provides strategic direction and oversight for all pastoral ministries across the parish family.

The Director is responsible for articulating and implementing a comprehensive pastoral vision that integrates sacramental prep, faith formation, OCIA, outreach, social justice, and evangelization. This leader forms and supervises the Family Ministry Team while fostering a culture of missionary discipleship, collaboration, and spiritual growth within the parish community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

LEADERSHIP AND VISION

1. Collaborates with the Pastor to develop and execute a unified vision for pastoral ministries, including sacramental prep, evangelization, formation, outreach, and social justice.

2. Provides leadership in implementing the parish family mission through strategic planning, execution, and evaluation of pastoral initiatives.

3. Ensures all pastoral ministries align with the evangelizing mission of the Church and parish priorities.

PASTORAL MINISTRY OVERSIGHT

1. Collaborates with the Director of Liturgy in the planning, coordination, and evaluation of liturgical celebrations and the liturgical calendar.

2. Ensures the development and implementation of comprehensive faith formation and sacramental preparation programs.

3. Provides leadership for OCIA and sacramental ministries in collaboration with clergy and staff.

4. May directly coordinate specific ministries as needed (e.g., sacramental preparation, adult formation, pastoral care).

EVANGELIZATION AND DISCIPLESHIP

1. Designs and implements a parish-wide evangelization strategy for youth, adults, and families.

2. Cultivates missionary disciples who actively share the Gospel and serve others.

3. Develops and trains a ministry leadership team.

4. Promotes outreach to inactive Catholics, those on the margins, and those who do not yet know Christ.

5. Ensures all ministries are welcoming, engaging, and oriented toward spiritual growth.

6. Cultivates opportunities for retreats, parish missions, pilgrimages, and formation.

COLLABORATION AND PARISH LIFE

1. Builds strong relationships between parish staff and parishioners to foster unity and engagement.

2. Works closely with communications leaders to ensure pastoral messaging supports mission and outreach goals.

3. Participates in and supports parish, regional, and archdiocesan initiatives and gatherings.

4. Collaborates with principals of the schools to identify areas of evangelization and formation.

5. Collaborates with Parish Family Advisory Council in strategizing and implementing Partners in the Gospel, as needed

OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION

1. Assists the Pastor in the daily pastoral operations of the parish family.

2. Collaborating with the Business Manager, ensures adherence to Safe Environment policies and Archdiocesan guidelines for volunteers in ministry.

3. Works with the Pastor and Director of Finance and Operations to align budgets with pastoral priorities.

SUPERVISION AND TEAM DEVELOPMENT

1. Supervises members of the Parish Family Ministry Team, providing regular coaching and performance feedback.

2. Leads regular team meetings and fosters collaboration across ministries.

3. Cultivates a healthy team culture rooted in prayer, formation, and missionary discipleship.

4. Supports leadership development and formation of staff and volunteers.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Faith and Mission:

* Clearly and joyfully articulate a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and a desire to grow in one's own faith life.
* Active member of a Catholic parish or faith community and in good sacramental standing with the Catholic Church.
* Demonstrated understanding of, respect for, and enthusiasm for Catholic Church teaching, mission, and values.
* Willingness and ability to support the mission of the Church and extend the ministry of the Archbishop of Seattle.
* Strong desire to contribute to the growth, evangelizing mission, and pastoral effectiveness of the Church.
* Ability and desire to use God-given gifts and professional talents in service of the local Church, fostering collaboration between lay and ordained ministers.
* Enthusiasm for sharing the joy of the Gospel and helping others grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Education:

* Undergraduate degree in ministry, theology, pastoral studies, organizational leadership, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
* Master's degree in theology, ministry, pastoral studies, leadership, or a related field preferred.

Professional and Ministerial Experience:

* Significant experience in parish ministry, pastoral leadership, Church administration, or a related setting; seven or more years of relevant experience preferred.
* Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
* Demonstrated ability to take initiative, establish priorities, follow through on responsibilities, and achieve results.
*Experience working collaboratively within a team leadership environment.
*Ability to facilitate effective meetings and conversations involving parishioners, councils, commissions, staff, volunteers, and members of the broader community.
*Experience working with diverse populations and multicultural communities.
*Ability to foster collaboration and consensus among individuals and groups with differing perspectives.
*Experience with or commitment to a continuous process improvement approach to ministry and organizational effectiveness.

Leadership and Interpersonal Competencies:

*High degree of emotional intelligence, maturity, discretion, and sound judgment.
*Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain trust with the pastor, parish leadership team, staff, volunteers, parishioners, and other stakeholders.
*Flexibility and adaptability in working with both small and large groups in complex or changing circumstances.
*Strong listening, communication, conflict-management, and consensus-building skills.
*Curiosity and willingness to learn about the many ministries and works of the Catholic Church in Western Washington and to apply professional skills toward their continued effectiveness.
*Strong working knowledge of Catholic parish structures, ministries, and organizations, or a demonstrated willingness and ability to learn them.

Technical and Administrative Skills:

*Proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
*Ability to appropriately safeguard highly confidential, sensitive, pastoral, personnel, and financial information and comply with applicable privacy requirements and parish/Archdiocesan policies.

Other Requirements:

*Willing and able to work occasional evenings and weekends as ministry needs require.
*Ability to travel among Parish Family locations and, when necessary, throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle.
*Must possess a valid Washington State driver's license, automobile insurance, and reliable transportation.

About the Employer

Our Parish Family in the Archdiocese of Seattle includes Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of Fatima, and St. Anne parishes, serving Seattle's Queen Anne, Magnolia, and surrounding neighborhoods (NWSeattleCatholic.org). Rooted in the Eucharist, our mission is to help people encounter Jesus Christ, grow as disciples, and live the Gospel through worship, evangelization, faith formation, service, and community. We are especially committed to strengthening Catholic family life, supporting our parish schools, and creating welcoming pathways for those seeking Christ or reconnecting with the Church.