Senior Director for Marriage, Family, and Respect Life

Senior Director for Marriage, Family, and Respect Life The Office of Marriage, Family, and Respect Life (OMFRL) assists the Bishop, pastors and parishes with initiatives, programs and resources that sustain marriage, family, and life issues. It supports the ministries for men and women, outreach to the divorced, adult children of divorce and provides pastoral care for pregnant women (Gabriel Project) and those in need of after abortion care (Project Rachel). The Office also assists the Virginia Catholic Conference in efforts to educate legislators and voters and advocate on issues in support of families and human life. Principal Duties Conference for the Engaged program Establish dates with parishes and coordinate with the parish secretary. Recruit and train volunteer couples, counselors, and priests. Assign volunteers and manage logistics for twenty (15‑17) CFEs per year. Coordinate with office staff and volunteers to prepare materials and vouchers. Report results of each conference and compile a monthly report. Create a strong community with volunteers, including providing feedback. Review program continuously and implement changes based on evaluations, couples’ suggestions, national trends, and Bishop/USCCB initiatives. In conjunction with the Executive Director design new talks and exercises, edit volunteer talks as needed. Support couples who have attended by responding to requests and sharing updates. Train transitional deacons on conference and marriage preparation topics. Marriage Enrichment Conferences and Events Choose topics and speakers for each conference and event in conjunction with the Executive Director. Establish dates with parishes and coordinate details with parish secretary. Vet and invite speakers for biannual conferences. Coordinate with staff and volunteers to prepare materials and process vouchers. Report results of each conference and event to the Executive Director. Ministry to Adult Children of Divorce Coordinate and organize the annual weekend retreat and online book club. Choose topics for online and in‑person events and retreats in conjunction with the Executive Director. Create new ways to minister to adult children of divorce. Men’s Ministry Outreach Work closely with the Program Specialist for Men’s Ministry to improve related ministries throughout the diocese. In conjunction with the Men’s Ministry leader manage the annual Diocesan Men’s Conference (500‑700 attendees). Determine venue, design program, create theme, and solicit speakers in conjunction with the Executive Director. Recruit and maintain a network of men throughout the diocese for promotion, program details, and volunteers. Manage all logistics for the day and act as primary liaison for all contractors. Work closely with the Program Specialist to design and distribute the quarterly Men’s Ministry Newsletter (~3500 recipients), enlist a priest for reflection, solicit diocesan men’s groups for updates/events, and select events to spotlight. Provide oversight of the Respect Life program. Directly supervise the Program Specialist and Director of Respect Life, including creating and maintaining position descriptions, recruitment and selection functions, training, professional development, and performance evaluations. Seek out relationships with parish staff to encourage, support, and coordinate diocesan initiatives that support family life, respect life, and marriage enrichment. Prepare reports for the Executive Director regarding each ministry under direct responsibility and/or oversight. Assist the Executive Director with establishing, maintaining, and evaluating office goals, objectives, programs, and operating procedures. Assist the Executive Director with developing, tracking, and controlling the office budget. Assume oversight for day‑to‑day operations of the Office and staff supervision in the absence of the Executive Director. Review and approve vouchers for payment. Support other initiatives of the Office and the Executive Director, including the Diocesan Festival. Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications Knowledge and Skills Must be a fully initiated and practicing Catholic able to participate in the full sacramental life of the Church. Excellent understanding of Catholic teachings on marriage and family life with a demonstrated ability to apply Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and Theology of the Family to all aspects of the ministry. Knowledge of church structure and organizational and operational procedures. Strong leadership and management skills. Strong interpersonal relations skills with a demonstrated ability to build relationships and work collaboratively. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated facilitation and presentation skills. Strong planning and organizational skills with a focus on details. Ability to balance competing priorities and meet deadlines. Ability to apply critical thinking to solve problems in an everyday work setting. Active listener. Ability to articulate ideas clearly, concisely, and professionally both orally and in writing. Ability to develop, manage, and evaluate programs that align individual program goals with strategic goals and objectives and formulate recommendations to improve program delivery and management. Ability to create basic documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and emails using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and MS Outlook; working knowledge in design with Adobe or Microsoft Publisher highly desirable. Ability to work collaboratively, foster teamwork and address conflict as it arises. Ability to work independently as well as in a team. Bilingual in Spanish is a plus. Education Advanced degree in Catholic theology or related field with special emphasis on marriage and family life or equivalent degree and experience. Experience Five to eight years professional experience in parish, diocesan, or church-related non‑profit ministry focused on family and pro‑life work required. Must have supervisory and budgeting experience. #J-18808-Ljbffr Catholic Diocese of Arlington