Executive Director

Job Description

St. Edmund's Retreat
HISTORY
For more than 70 years, Enders Island has been a distinctive Catholic setting for spiritual renewal, healing, recovery, education, and hospitality. Located on an 11-acre island off the coast of Mystic, Connecticut, Enders Island is home to St. Edmund's Retreat, an independent, nonprofit, religious and educational institution founded by the Society of St. Edmund.
St. Edmund's Retreat serves as steward of the Charisms and Legacies of the Society of St. Edmund and the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Island's history began as the private residence of Dr. Thomas B. Enders and his wife, Alys. In 1954, Alys Enders entrusted the property to the Society of St. Edmund, hoping her beloved island would be preserved and used for religious and charitable purposes. The Society soon welcomed individuals and parish groups for prayer, reflection, and Days of Recollection, establishing the foundation for a retreat ministry that remains central to St. Edmund's Retreat.
Over the decades, the ministries expanded to meet the changing needs of the People of God. A formal Retreat Ministry was established in 1967, followed by the development of recovery programs that remain an important part of St. Edmund's Retreat's identity.
Offerings include guided and directed retreats, Days of Recollection, clergy and religious retreats, marriage and couples' programs, bereavement retreats, private opportunities for reflection, and offerings centered on prayer, discernment, spirituality, meditation, and personal renewal. Recovery programs include Twelve Step programs and meetings, as well as a Recovery Residence serving young men seeking a foundation for long-term recovery.
Enders Island is also home to the Sacred Art Institute, where traditional Catholic sacred arts, including iconography, illumination and calligraphy, painting, drawing, and stained glass, provide opportunities for education, creativity, contemplation, and spiritual formation. The ministry's heritage also intersects with that of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The mission of St. Edmund's Retreat is to proclaim in word and deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the light of the Catholic Faith. To fulfill this mission through a variety of ministries which promote the healing, hope, and spiritual renewal of God's people - The Church. To answer the call for the evangelization of the Church and the world, providing for the ever-changing needs of the People of God through offering retreats, spiritual renewal and educational programs and services, a sacred art institute and recovery ministries. To preserve the history and legacy of the Society of St. Edmund and of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and promote the cause of St. Edmund and Blessed George Matulaitis.
Today, St. Edmund's Retreat carries forward a remarkable legacy of Catholic ministry, bringing together faith, spiritual renewal, recovery, sacred arts, education, and hospitality. Its next leader will have the opportunity to steward this legacy while strengthening its relevance, vitality, and impact for generations to come.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of St. Edmund's Retreat, which has two ministry sites, Enders Island and the Matulaitis Center, providing visionary, mission-centered leadership to advance its Catholic mission of hospitality, spiritual renewal, and evangelization. Reporting to the Board of Trustees and collaborating closely with the President, the Executive Director provides overall strategic, operational, financial, and administrative leadership, including advancement and fundraising, finance, facilities, human resources, and community relations. Working collaboratively with the Board, staff, clergy, volunteers, donors, and community partners, the Executive Director ensures the organization's long-term sustainability and fosters a welcoming environment where guests encounter faith, healing, and renewal through the organization's ministries.
MISSION INTEGRATION
The Executive Director embraces and models the teachings of the Catholic Church and actively supports the retreats' spiritual mission. This role ensures all advancement initiatives authentically reflect the Gospel, uphold Catholic values, and communicate the transformative impact of all its ministries. By fostering a culture of philanthropy within both retreat centers, the Executive Director plays a key leadership role in designing, implementing, and expanding a comprehensive advancement program.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Executive Leadership
• Provide visionary leadership to advance St. Edmund's Retreat's mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives for Board of Trustees approval.
• Build and lead a high-performing executive leadership team.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and mission integration.
• Serve as the chief executive and organizational ambassador.
2. Mission and Catholic Identity
• Ensure that all ministries and organizational activities reflect the Catholic mission and values of St. Edmund's Retreat.
• Promote a culture of hospitality, spiritual renewal, and servant leadership.
• Collaborate with clergy, retreat leaders, and ministry partners to enhance the organization's spiritual impact.
• Represent the organization within the Diocese and the broader Catholic community.
3. Board Relations and Governance
• Serve as the principal advisor to the Board of Trustees.
• Partner with the Board and the President on strategic planning and governance.
• Implement Board-approved policies.
• Provide regular reports on organizational performance.
• Support Board committees and annual planning.
4. Organizational Leadership
• Provide executive oversight of the Executive team.
• Hold senior leaders accountable for organizational performance.
• Ensure effective coordination across ministries and departments.
• Promote organizational effectiveness through evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Guide succession planning and leadership development.
5. Advancement and External Relations
• Serve as the organization's chief relationship builder.
• Lead major gift cultivation and donor stewardship.
• Build relationships with foundations, benefactors, diocesan leaders, and community partners.
• Partner with the Board of Trustees, the President, and external fundraising consultants to advance philanthropic initiatives.
• Represent the organization at community and Church events.
• Champion strategic communications and organizational visibility.
• Oversee the Mission Advancement Department.
6. Executive Oversight of Operations
• Provide executive oversight of operational functions through the Chief Operating Officer & VP of Operations and senior leadership team.
• Ensure operational excellence consistent with both the organization's mission and strategic goals.
• Monitor organizational performance through established metrics and reporting.
• Support major capital improvements and long-range campus planning.
• Allocate resources to achieve strategic priorities.
Additional Job Functions
• Perform other position-related duties as necessary and/or as assigned by the President.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Practicing Catholic in good standing with commitment to the teachings, traditions, and mission of the Catholic Church.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, nonprofit management, public administration, theology, pastoral ministry, or a related field is required; master's degree or higher strongly preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive executive leadership experience in a nonprofit, Catholic ministry, healthcare, higher education, retreat center, or other mission-driven organization.
• Successful track record of major gift fundraising, donor stewardship, and advancement leadership, including capital campaigns, planned giving, and foundation relations.
• Strong financial and business management skills, including budgeting, long-term planning, and organizational sustainability.
• Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clergy, religious communities, board members, donors, volunteers, diocesan leaders, and community partners.
• Demonstrated integrity, sound judgment, discretion, and a collaborative leadership style rooted in service.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
• Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• A comprehensive benefits package is offered. Additional details will be provided to finalist candidates.
• Occasional travel may be required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. Use computer hardware and software for extended periods of time (repetitive motion). Sitting for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
TO APPLY
• This search is being conducted by the Executive Search Division of Ruotolo Associates Inc. Inquiries regarding this position are strictly confidential and should be directed to info@ruotoloassociates.com with Executive Director - St. Edmund's Retreat, Inc. as the subject line.
• Interested applicants are requested to submit a resume and cover letter, along with a salary range.
• We encourage interested candidates to apply early. While we will accept applications through October 30, 2026, the search may close earlier if we identify a strong, sufficiently qualified pool of candidates.
• We will request references from all finalists, but you may submit them with your resume and cover letter.
St. Edmund's Retreat, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the dignity of the person. We welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds who are inspired by its mission.
Members of religious communities, clergy, and other men and women of faith are encouraged to apply, as are lay leaders who are committed to advancing the Catholic mission and values of its ministries.

About the Employer

Ruotolo Associates' mission is to assist your leadership in making the critical decisions that will affect the future of your institution. For nonprofit organizations challenged by change and growth, Ruotolo Associates offers experienced counsel in fundraising, strategic planning and communications.