Executive Director, Christ in the Wilderness
Start: Early May 2025
Work with your heart and love the job you do!
Are you an experienced director in a spiritual retreat setting? Do you have a love of nature? Are you at a place in your journey where you are desiring to live and work in a quiet, remote setting? Do you have successful professional experience in donor development, fundraising, grant writing, programming, relationship building and daily operations?
If so, we invite you to read on...
Christ in the Wilderness (CITW) is a three-hermitage retreat center located on 80 acres in rural Stockton, Illinois. The center, which is currently searching for a new, live-in Executive Director, is a sponsored ministry of the Congregation of St. Joseph (CSJ) and a member of the CSJ Mission Network. The mission of CITW is to provide an environment in nature that is conducive to silence, solitude, prayer, and reflection, enabling retreatants to experience movement toward a deeper awareness of self, creation, and the Holy. For more on CITW, please visit: https://citwretreat.com
The Executive Director of CITW is responsible for the fulfillment of the center’s mission, exercising leadership and management responsibilities for the center and its grounds. The Executive Director lives on the CITW property. This position is expected to begin in early May 2025.
Essential Functions:
Included here is a partial list of essential functions.
• Responsible for all administrative responsibilities associated with retreatant stays (reservation, welcome, orientation, safety, departure).
• Responsible for the fiscal management of the Center (budget development, monthly financial reports, processing of receipts and accounts payable).
• Lead, direct, and participate in the fund development plan on behalf of CITW that includes donor development, management, and fundraising efforts.
• Work collaboratively with the CITW Board and attend all required meetings of the Board and the Congregation of St. Joseph (virtual and in-person).
• Support the Marketing committee of the Board with sending out newsletters, appeal letters, and other promotional materials.
• Participate in leadership and formation activities sponsored by CSJ Ministries and the CSJ Mission Network. Attend the annual Mission Network Leadership Convocation.
• Ensure that the 80-acre property and the buildings are properly maintained; manage and supervise outside contractors and vendors.
• Unexpressed duties and responsibilities that may periodically surface.
Desired Skills & Experience:
Included here is a partial list of desired skills and experience.
• Affinity for solitude and a rural lifestyle is required.
• Experience with managing a retreat center (or similar organization) required; 5-7 years preferred.
• Experience with donor development and fundraising.
• General knowledge of budgets and finances.
• Understanding and appreciation for contemplative prayer and lifestyle.
• Must possess a willingness to learn and appreciate the CITW and CSJ missions and incorporate both in day-to-day operations.
• Organized, able to establish priorities, and be flexible when changes are needed.
• Excellent communication skills, empathetic listening, and a collaborative work style.
• Interpersonal style that is welcoming, approachable, positive, and professional.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality is required.
• Computer literacy and familiarity with Microsoft Office; willingness to learn other software programs.
• Experience with Quick Books a plus.
• Social media and web experience a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree desired.
• Training or certification in spiritual direction a plus.
Physical Environment & Working Conditions:
• Indoor and outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• Reside on site, in nature, near a small, rural town.
• Maintain a very flexible schedule to accommodate retreatant arrivals and departures.
• On call for emergency situations.
• Walking up stairs and hills (gravel and grass).
• Occasional lifting-up to 40 lbs.
• Performance of minor repairs and cleaning.
• Ability to drive an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) on sloped trails.