Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Job Description

The Diocese of Harrisburg is looking for someone who can look at the landscape of our youth and young adults, develop a compelling vision for their spiritual and personal growth, and collaboratively build the effective strategies needed to bring that vision to life. If you are passionate about forming the next generation of Catholic leaders, empowering grassroots parish efforts, and building a culture bold Christian witness, we invite you to join our mission-oriented team.

The Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries is a member of the Laity & Family Team, within the Office of Catholic Life & Evangelization. The position reports to the Director for Laity & Family and serves as the primary visionary partner and strategic support to parish, college, and regional youth and young adult ministries, moving beyond mere execution to drive long-term planning, implementation, and leadership development across the Diocese.

Core Competencies
• Vision & Strategic Planning: Proven ability to look at the big picture, establish a clear vision, and map out the practical, long-term strategies, timelines, and metrics required to achieve it.
• Multiplier of Leaders: A passion for talent development, with a demonstrated ability to identify, form, mentor, and equip local leaders and volunteers to lead their own communities.
• Grassroots Support: Driven to support local parish initiatives by developing and delivering highly relevant, scalable resources that meet the particular needs of pastors and lay leaders in their circumstances.
• Compelling Communicator: Effective and sensitive verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to cast vision, build consensus, manage conflict, and inspire diverse audiences.
• Mission-Driven Disciple: A Catholic in good standing, eager to embrace and advance the mission, vision, and values of the Roman Catholic Church, motivated by a desire to reach all people with the Gospel.
• Collaborative & Humble Leader: Leads and follows with charity, humility, courage, and goodwill; listens intently to understand local realities, discern opportunities and challenges, and provide sound direction and practical solutions.
• Innovative & Adaptable: Demonstrates a spirit of innovation, initiative, and agility when navigating changing policies, cultural shifts, and new technologies.

Primary Responsibilities
• Cast Vision & Strategy: Act as the primary visionary resource to parish and diocesan offices, guiding them through strategic pastoral planning and holistic spiritual growth models for youth and young adults.
• Form & Equip Leaders: Elevate the professionalism and competency of ministry leaders across the Diocese by building robust networks and providing ongoing leadership training, mentorship, and support.
• Empower Grassroots Efforts: Develop, curate, and distribute relevant tools, frameworks, and resources to help parishes independently implement, scale, and sustain impactful youth and young adult programs.
• Drive National Frameworks: Translate national USCCB frameworks and pastoral plans into actionable, localized strategies that inspire active discipleship.
• Strategic Relationship Management: Cultivate trust and build mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with clergy, pastors, diocesan/parish staff, lay ministry leaders, and volunteers.
• Data-Driven Evaluation: Gather, organize, and analyze data regarding ministry locations, personnel, and engagement to make informed, strategic decisions and continuous enhancements.
• Budgetary Stewardship: Propose, monitor, and effectively manage annual budgets and resources to advance pastoral priorities and ministry objectives.
• Other duties related to advancing the mission, vision, and values of the Diocese or the Secretariat may also be assigned at the discretion of leadership.

Operational Responsibilities
• Diocesan & Regional Programs: Develop and drive high-impact diocesan-level programs and major regional events, ensuring they serve as catalysts for local parish engagement.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Cooperate with other diocesan secretariats, schools, and ministries on integrated campaigns, safeguarding initiatives, and shared communication goals.
• External Partnerships: Serve as the point of contact for national and regional organizations, contracted services, and coordinate local participation in major conferences. Represents the Diocese as a ministry leader at regional and national events for Youth and Young Adult Ministries.
• Youth Ministry: Oversee the CYO Director and ministry programming, and act as liaison to Diocesan committees for Catholic Scouting.
• Young Adult Ministry: Strategically support regional young adult hubs and implement effective evangelization and formation opportunities.
• Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM): Coordinate with the Offices of Finance and Buildings & Properties to support the temporal and strategic needs of campus ministry sites, and integrating college students into the broader young adult community.

Professional Requirements
• Educational Background: Master's Degree in Theology, Theological or Pastoral Studies, Leadership, Education, or a related field; or a Bachelor's degree in the same with exceptional, proven experience in strategic ministry leadership.
• Leadership Experience: Significant experience in creating vision, managing strategic plans, and building volunteer structures within youth, young adult, or campus ministry settings.
• Cultural Context: A strong foundation in Catholic doctrine combined with a practical understanding of how to effectively engage younger generations concerning faith and culture.
• People & Project Management: Proven track record of recruiting, training, and retaining high-level staff and volunteers.
• Technical Proficiency: Intermediate to advanced proficiency in digital collaboration tools (Microsoft Office/Google Suite, project management software, and modern communication platforms).
• Language: Ability to speak Spanish is highly desirable.

Working Environment
The Laity & Family Team is one of two team comprising the Secretariat for Catholic Life & Evangelization (CLEV) in the Diocese of Harrisburg. The Secretariat operates under the direction of the Secretary for CLEV.
All CLEV employees are expected to work evenings and weekends, as necessary. Regular travel throughout the diocese is required and may require the use of a personal vehicle (with reimbursement at established mileage rates). As vital ministers sharing the mission of the Church, their conduct, whether operating as an agent of the Diocese or in a personal capacity, must convey and be supportive of the teachings of the Catholic Church.

About the Employer

The Diocese of Harrisburg is located in Central Pennsylvania and covers 15 counties and 7,700 square miles. The diocese serves its 200,000 parishioners in 89 parishes and 7 missions, 32 schools and many other agencies and institutions.