Director - Associate Ministry

Job Description

The Director - Associate Ministry reports to the Executive Director of Mission & Business Operations for the Sisters of Bon Secours, USA, located in Marriottsville, MD. This position is part-time (three days per week), and work can be performed in a hybrid manner with time spent on the Marriottsville campus and remotely.

The incumbent works in collaboration with the Sisters to guide daily operations and uphold the mission and spiritual vision. This involves facilitating lay Associate relationships, overseeing formation activities, and ensuring the Charism is integrated into all programs, events, and communications.

Reporting to this role is a Program Coordinator, and together they direct and facilitate approximately 70 Associates geographically dispersed in communities in and around Darby, PA; Virginia; Maryland; and Greenville, SC. In addition, the Leadership Council, comprised of five Associates, collaborates with the Director and Program Coordinator on strategy, events, and program development. Also of note is the Bon Secours, USA, Associates are represented on the international Associate Committee that meets throughout the year to share experiences and best practices. The Associate Director will also collaborate and work with other Ministry leaders to strengthen the Bon Secours Charism.

Associates are typically lay people that faithfully embrace the Charism of the Sisters of Bon Secours, not to the extent of entering religious life as a Sister, but nonetheless, do make a commitment. Before committing, prospective Associates go through a multiple-month formation program with current Associates, centered on faith, expectations, and learning. Formation consists of meetings, reading, and informal gatherings, allowing time for reflection, sharing, and discernment. Associates make commitments every two years, and some have made lifetime commitments.

Currently, the demographic of the Associate population is aging, and their active participation in attending meetings and events is somewhat limited. With the introduction of the recently published 2026-2029 Strategic Plan, one of the main objectives is to attract younger Associates to the program, by communicating to this group, who are typically engaged in raising families and caring for parents, how being an Associate brings together families and communities, and a sense of faith and belonging that aligns well with their busy lifestyle.

Critical to success is the disposition of the day-to-day direction of the Associate program of the Sisters of Bon Secours, USA:
- Facilitating regular meetings, retreats, and spiritual formation for lay members who share the Sisters' Charism.
- Foster a welcoming environment for Associates and potential members, ensuring they feel integrated into the broader life and history of the Sisters of Bon Secours, USA.

The Ideal Candidate

The critical competencies for this role include: theological & religious knowledge, ethics deliberation, individual and/or small group facilitation, public speaking, faith & fellowship development, community outreach, event planning & agenda development, and social media & digital communication.

Candidates that embrace spirituality in their personal and professional life, as well as value reflection and prayer will align with the Sisters' values of dignity of the whole person and social justice. Candidates are encouraged to consider becoming an Associate by going through the formation process.

Education: A Master's degree (or equivalent education from an accredited institution) in Theology, Pastoral Ministry, Religious Studies, or Nonprofit Administration.

Experience: Five+ years of experience in pastoral ministry, adult faith formation, or nonprofit leadership.

Mission Alignment: A deep understanding of, and respect for, Catholic/Christian social teaching and faith, the congregation's specific charism, and post-Vatican II teachings on the role of the laity.

Building Membership: Demonstrated track record of traveling to geographies to identify new members (Associates), with an emphasis on attracting young adults.

Work Arrangements: This role is part-time, (three days per week), and work can be performed in a hybrid manner with time spent on the Marriottsville, MD campus and remotely.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Plan Support
- Continue recruitment of new candidates to the Associates ministry.
- Increase engagement with the leadership within the Young Adult / Volunteer ministry
- Continue engagement with our Associates to increase participation locally within monthly or quarterly virtual/in person regional gatherings.
- Continue to support and execute locally the mission of the Sisters with the Associates. This would include:
- Continue prayer for the Sister's mission/ministries by Associates.
- JPIC activities-schedule virtual seminars that help to protect and care for the earth.
- Review/discuss JPIC newsletter.
- Support of Habitat For Humanity and other mission related projects that provide "good help" to those in need.
- Continue to build leadership locally within our Associates ministry:
- Promote Associate membership on Congregation Committees such as JPIC, Assemblies and Chapter meetings.
- Provide encouragement, prayer, and spiritual support to women and men. Help connect Associates to small groups, serving opportunities, care ministries, counseling resources, and other areas of church life when needed.

Communications
- Facilitate communications with the Volunteer and Young Adults Ministry leaders, seeking opportunities for collaboration and cross-functional programming.
- Produce correspondence, reports, and other departmental materials.
- Ensure regular and tailored communications with Associate members and prospective members.
- Incorporate communications and information from the congregation, retreat center, and other ministry operations to the Associates, allowing for increased opportunities to participate in ministry events.
- Emphasize leveraging of virtual technology for outreach to Associates living in geographies where a Sister of Bon Secours (i.e. Grosse Pointe, MI) is no longer physically present.
- Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate biblical wisdom in sensitive situations.
- Contribute to the Horizons quarterly newsletter.

Meetings & Events
- Participate in organizational meetings, such as the International Associate Committee, as well as local Associate meetings in each geography.
- Assist in planning and executing ministry gatherings such as conferences, retreats, workshops, and fellowship events that strengthen relationships and deepen spiritual growth.
- Coordinate volunteers, logistics, and communication for ministry events.
- Annual Associate Retreat, a three-day event typically held over a weekend. Each year has a unique theme, reflection draft, and professional facilitator. They do breakout sessions, team activities, and commitment ceremonies. The weekend will include opportunities for prayer and reflection, engaging spiritual exercises and group sharing (finding a facilitator, putting together an agenda, etc.)

Operational & Administrative Leadership
- Assist the Area Leader, Executive Director, and the leadership team in strategic planning, annual budgeting, and policy implementation.
- Serve as a liaison between the Sisters of Bon Secours Ministries and Associates.
- Become familiar with and abide by the Associate Formation Manual, Associate Community Guidebook, and Presentation of Associate Membership in Religious Communities, the 2026-2029 Strategic Plan
- Manage the work of the Program Coordinator, offering guidance and encouragement.
- Ensure organizational policies and operational objectives align with the congregation's directional statements, Charism, and justice commitments.
- Plan for updates and revisions to the current Associate program in an effort to build morale, camaraderie, and attract youthful members.

About the Employer

In 1881, the first three Sisters of Bon Secours arrived in America from Paris. These Sisters were trained nurses and their purpose was to visit the sick and dying and care for them in their own homes. From their foundation the sisters were risk takers, leaving the cloister of the convent to stay with their patients until they became well or died, a practice that was unheard for women at the time. In 1919, the first Bon Secours Hospital was opened in Baltimore. The House on the Marriottsville campus opened in 1965, and the Retreat and Conference Center opened in 1968.