Jesuit Collaborative

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE JESUIT COLLABORATIVE

 

The Jesuit Collaborative, a nonprofit organization, seeks a Jesuit to serve as its Executive Director. Formed as a project of the New England, New York and Maryland Provinces, The Jesuit Collaborative (TJC) seeks to promote the growth of the Spiritual Exercises and to support the diverse ministries derived from the Spiritual Exercises. Information about TJC’s activities can be found at its website (http://www.jesuit-collaborative.org/).

 

The Executive Director is responsible for programming, planning, and leadership of this ground-breaking organization. He reports to the 15 member board of directors, comprised of Jesuits and laypeople, and currently oversees 4 staff people. The full job description and requirements for the position can also be found at the website.

 

Although TJC is currently headquartered in Boston, the Executive Director does not need to work primarily from that location, though frequent travel in the Atlantic provinces (and elsewhere) is required. The Board hopes to fill the position by July 1, 2009.

 

Jesuits who are interested in being considered or in nominating another Jesuit for this position are encouraged to contact Fr. Kevin O’Brien, S.J., at obrienkf@georgetown.edu for more information. Formal letters of application, along with a resume, are due by March 15, 2009 and may be sent electronically to collaborative@sjnen.org or by hard copy to The Jesuit Collaborative, 300 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115.

 

Executive Director of The Jesuit Collaborative

November, 2008

 

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of the Jesuit Collaborative, responsible for oversight of all programming, policies and plans for the Collaborative. The Jesuit Collaborative is a non-profit corporation established by the Jesuits of the Maryland, New England and New York Provinces to foster the ministry of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius throughout area of the three provinces.

 

The E.D. is elected by and reports to the Board of Directors, the nomination having been approved by the Board of Members. There is no fixed term of office, but the E.D. serves at the pleasure of the Board, which reviews his/her performance annually through its Evaluation and Compensation Committee.

 

Responsibilities:

 

 

The E.D. bears the following responsibilities:

 

1. Strategic planning and leadership

• provide leadership and craft a long-term vision for TJC

• initiate and develop strategies for the long-term development of the Collaborative

• develop plans and set priorities, with board review;

• ensure that TJC lives within established policies that support the furtherance if its mission

• create a network of relationships to shape this emerging ministry

 

2. Financial Integrity

a. Promote Financial Stability

• with the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, ensure accuracy of all financial reports; establish and follow financial practices in accord with standard accounting principles

• with the Board Audit Committee and the CFO, provide for regular audits

• with Associate Directors and professional groupings, identity and promote initiatives which can generate income

• with the Province Treasurers, develop a long-term financial strategy

 

b. Oversee Advancement Initiatives

• in collaboration with the Board, set fund- and friend-raising goals, assessing the success of initiatives

• provide the Chief Advancement Officer with all needed resources, consistent with budget priorities

• cooperate with the CAO in outreach, when required

• with the CAO, liaise with Province Advancement Officers on possible joint ventures

• with the Associate Directors and CAO, identify program initiatives suitable for foundation funding

 

3. Staff development

a. Reporting and Reviews

• direct the work of the Associate Directors and other staff who report to the E.D.

• provide for professional development of staff, as appropriate

• develop regular patterns of communication within TJC staff, including regular patterns of performance evaluation

• identity potential staff members as needed

 

b. Developing Cross-Sectoral Cooperation

• with the Associate Directors, promote initiatives involving multiple ministries

• emphasize programming initiatives of use to a wide variety of ministries

 

4. Relations with various publics / communications

a. Society of Jesus

• oversee consistent and regular patterns of communication, especially with Provincials

• develop norms of the missioning of Jesuits to work in TJC

• through the Associate Directors ensure regular liaison with the three province Staffs, and with Jesuit communities and apostolic works

• develop links with other religious communities in the “Ignatian Apostolic Network”

 

b. Board of Directors

• provide for a pattern of regular communication

• with the Nominating Committee, identify and cultivate potential Board members

• ensure that all programming initiatives receive appropriate Board review, and that they are consonant with the priorities established by the Board

• with the Chair and Vice-Chair, plan for Board meetings

 

c. Local Churches

• open dialogue with local dioceses to foster apostolic collaboration

• promote TJC program initiatives, especially Ann.18 offerings, as a way of fostering adult faith life within dioceses

• identify, together with Associate Directors, ways to engage people of various cultures

 

d. Professional Groupings

• with the Associate Directors and the Province Staffs/organizations, develop Collaborative-wide associations of practitioners, consonant with the priorities established by the Board

• identify and seek to provide materials and programs sufficient to develop professional identity and practice

 

e. Local Networks

• together with Associate Directors, identify local practitioners

• provide for opportunities for networking to develop communities of best practice

 

f. Published and Web Materials

• with the Chief Advancement Officer, develop web and print materials to make TJC better known

• provide a web-based resource center for practitioners

 

5. Help initiate new programming

a. Identify Areas for Needed Initiatives within TJC Geographical Area

 

b. Ensure Regular Reviews and Accountability

• guarantee compliance with the mission of TJC and the directives of the Board

• where possible seek to generate income through programs or to ensure revenue neutrality

• develop appropriate means for evaluating program outcomes, short- and long-term

 

6. Promote the Guiding Standards as a Foundation for the Ministry of the Exercises

 

Qualifications:

 

The Executive Director will have:

• extensive experience of the ministry of the Exercises

• a solid theological foundation, preferable at least an M.Div. or its equivalent

• has played a leadership role in a nonprofit organization or other venue

• experience with nonprofit organizations and multiple stakeholders, preferably including experience dealing directly with nonprofit Boards of Directors

• knowledge of financial matters, planning, and staff management, and development

• experience in fund raising preferred

• excellent interpersonal skills

• excellent communication skills (oral and written)

• be a regular participant in a faith community