Director of Events and Pilgrimages

Job Description

The Role
The Director of Events & Pilgrimages provides strategic leadership and oversight for the planning, development, and execution of Legatus national events and domestic and international pilgrimages. The Director leads the Events & Pilgrimages department and is responsible for delivering exceptional, mission-aligned experiences that foster spiritual enrichment, meaningful fellowship, and engagement among Legatus members.

Key Responsibilities
Event & Pilgrimage Strategy and Leadership
• Provide strategic direction and leadership for all Legatus national events and pilgrimages, including the annual Summit, Men's and Women's Enclaves, international and domestic pilgrimages, executive health programs, retreats, and other special events.
• Develop mission-aligned programs and experiences in collaboration with executive leadership, with a focus on spiritual enrichment, meaningful fellowship, and an exceptional member experience.
• Research, evaluate, and recommend destinations and program concepts for domestic and international pilgrimages and other national events.

Event & Pilgrimage Operations
• Provide overall oversight of event and pilgrimage operations, including venue selection, registration, programming, speakers, accommodations, decor, menu planning, transportation, and on-site execution.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with venues, hotels, tour operators, transportation companies, speakers, entertainment providers, and other vendors, ensuring favorable terms and high-quality service.
• Provide strategic oversight of event registration, including pricing, policies, payment processes, reporting, and event-management platforms.
• Direct Legatus staff assigned to support events and pilgrimages, ensuring responsibilities are clearly communicated and programs are executed successfully.
Spiritual Programming and Liturgy
• Direct the planning and execution of Catholic liturgies and spiritual programming, coordinating with clergy, musicians, liturgical participants, and other partners to ensure meaningful and reverent experiences.
• Cultivate relationships with churches, pilgrimage sites, clergy, and other faith-based partners essential to pilgrimage and event programming.

Financial Management & Sponsorship
• Develop and maintain line-item budgets for national events and pilgrimages in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer and leadership team; monitor revenue and expenses and remain accountable for established financial goals.
• Oversee sponsorship and exhibitor strategy for the annual Summit and other applicable events, including revenue goals, sponsor cultivation, benefits, and the overall sponsor and exhibitor experience.
Marketing & Member Experience
• Collaborate with the Marketing Department on promotional strategy and materials for events and pilgrimages, including print and digital communications, event websites, programs, signage, and on-site materials.
• Cultivate strong relationships with members, clergy, speakers, sponsors, vendors, and other key stakeholders, ensuring professional communication and exceptional service.

Team Leadership & Department Management
• Supervise and develop the Events & Pilgrimages team, establishing priorities, delegating responsibilities, monitoring progress, and providing ongoing direction and support.
• Evaluate event and pilgrimage performance and continually improve departmental processes, service standards, and operating procedures based on member feedback, financial results, operational effectiveness, and organizational priorities.
• Serve as the primary departmental liaison to executive leadership, providing updates on program development, registration, financial performance, risks, and key decisions.
• Perform related duties as assigned by the supervisor and maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures.

Education and Work Experience
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification preferred.
• Minimum of five years of experience in nonprofit or corporate event planning and management, including domestic and international programs.
• Demonstrated experience leading staff and managing multiple complex events, projects, and priorities simultaneously.
• Experience developing and managing event budgets, including revenue, expenses, reconciliation, and financial accountability.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating contracts with hotels, venues, tour operators, speakers, entertainment providers, and other vendors.
• Strong knowledge of event operations, hospitality, registration management, and international group travel or pilgrimage planning preferred.
• Exceptional organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively, meet deadlines, and perform well in a fast-paced environment.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated creativity, sound judgment, and attention to detail.
• Professional demeanor and ability to work effectively with senior executives, clergy, members, speakers, sponsors, vendors, and other key stakeholders while providing exceptional service.
• Ability to develop creative, mission-aligned programs and exceptional member experiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook; experience with Cvent or other event-management systems preferred.
• Marketing or graphic design experience, including familiarity with Canva or similar platforms, preferred.

Additional Requirements
• Moderate domestic and international travel required.
• Ability to work beyond the standard workweek on an occasional basis, particularly during events and pilgrimages.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.

Faith Requirements
Because Legatus is a Catholic apostolate, and the Director of Events & Pilgrimages role requires a deep understanding of and adherence to the Catholic Church and its teachings, the Director of Events & Pilgrimages must be a practicing Catholic who embraces and lives in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church, including its moral and social doctrines. Employees serve as ambassadors of the Legatus mission and are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with Catholic values in both their professional and personal lives.

How to Apply
Interested candidates may apply by completing the application form found at https://www.cognitoforms.com/LegatusEventsPilgrimages/DirectorOfEventsPilgrimagesApplicantInformation

About the Employer

Legatus is an international organization of lay executives whose mission is to study, live, and spread the Catholic faith in our personal, business, and professional lives. Legatus is comprised of a growing network of CEOs, presidents, managing partners, and founders who aspire to be faithful ambassadors for Christ and lead as many other souls to heaven as possible. Our founder, Tom Monaghan, established Legatus to attract Catholic business owners, company presidents, and CEOs who stand as some of the most proven lay leaders in the Church today.

The goal of Legatus is to create an environment that helps nourish the faith of these leaders while enhancing their marriages, families, and businesses. Since its inception in 1987, Legatus has welcomed more than 5,500 members across 95 chapters.