Job Description

Job Summary

St. James the Greater and Epiphany of Our Lord Parishes are two amazing parishes working together to help people seek Christ and proclaim His Gospel. We truly believe that everyone wants to belong to a community of believers that help them encounter the God that loves them deeply and helps them discover and trust in God’s plan for their lives. We desire our parishes, to be sacred places where the human and the divine meet, where people of all ages grow in the knowledge and understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. We desire them to be a place where people receive spiritual nourishment, guidance, inspiration and strength — not just from the priests but from other members of each parish as well. We desire our parishes to be spiritual homes where people share each other’s joys, support each other in times of sorrow, offer encouragement to those who are struggling, and help to heal anyone who feels battered or broken by life’s trials and tragedies. We also desire our parishes to be social places where people make new friends, reach out to those less fortunate, and invite others to become part of our community of believers who try their best to live the Gospel message.

Job Responsibilities

We seek a Parish Administrator to serve as the key implementer reporting directly to the Pastor, translating the parish vision into operational reality through effective leadership of all administrative, financial, and operational functions. Integral to the leadership team, this role requires the demonstrated ability to build, lead, and motivate successful staff and volunteer teams within a dynamic ministry environment. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational skills, financial acumen, and a collaborative, servant-leader presence, combined with a deep understanding of efficient workflows, resource stewardship, and practical systems implementation to effectively manage details, execute plans, and ensure unwavering support for the parish's mission.

• Operational Systems & Process Management: Oversee and improve all administrative and operational systems (e.g., communication platforms, database management, office workflows, scheduling systems). Implement and refine processes to ensure efficiency, consistency, and effective support for all parish ministries and activities. Success is measured by smooth operations, reduced administrative friction for ministries, and effective use of parish resources.

Staff Leadership & Management: Supervise, mentor, and develop administrative and support staff. Foster a positive, collaborative, and productive work environment aligned with parish values. Implement performance management practices and ensure clear roles and 

• responsibilities. Success is measured by staff effectiveness, engagement, retention, and clear accountability.
• Financial Stewardship & Administration: Oversee the parish's financial operations in collaboration with the Pastor and Finance Council. This includes budget development and management, bookkeeping oversight, financial reporting, contribution tracking, accounts payable/receivable, and ensuring compliance with diocesan policies and civil regulations. Success is measured by accurate financial reporting, adherence to budget, transparent financial practices, and responsible stewardship of parish funds.
• Facilities & IT Management: Manage the maintenance, security, scheduling, and use of all parish buildings and grounds. Oversee IT infrastructure, equipment, software licenses, and relationships with technology vendors, ensuring reliable and secure operations. Success is measured by well-maintained facilities, functional technology, user satisfaction, and effective vendor management.
• Ministry Support & Communication: Ensure that administrative and operational functions effectively support the various ministries and pastoral activities of the parish. Oversee primary communication channels (e.g., bulletin, website updates, email lists, social media administration) to ensure clear, timely, and effective information flow. May involve coordination with volunteer leaders. Success is measured by feedback from ministry leaders, effective communication reach, and seamless administrative support for parish programs.
• Reporting & Accountability: Provide regular, clear reports on operational, financial, and administrative matters to the Pastor, Finance Council, Pastoral Council, and staff as appropriate. Track key metrics relevant to parish operations and use data to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement. Ensure follow-through on decisions and initiatives. Success is measured by timely, actionable reports, data-informed improvements, and consistent execution of plans.

Candidate Profile

You are an accomplished administrator or operations manager, adept at translating vision into execution, preferably with experience in a church, non-profit, or similar mission-driven organization. You thrive in dynamic environments where you can bring structure, process, and accountability. You have experience setting priorities, managing resources, and measuring operational outcomes. You have a track record of hiring, developing, and leading effective teams (staff and/or volunteers). Your history indicates a collaborative style, particularly in supporting a primary leader (like a Pastor or CEO), and the ability to manage multiple functions with competence and integrity. You understand the importance of servant leadership within a faith community.

Job Requirements

Ideal Experience

• Proven experience as a Parish Administrator, Business Manager, Operations Manager, or similar leadership role, ideally within a parish or non-profit setting.
• You possess strong leadership skills to manage staff, operations, and resources effectively.
• You have successfully managed key operational functions, including finance, human resources (basics), facilities, IT, and administration.
• You have experience implementing and improving systems and processes to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• You have consistently demonstrated your ability to create an environment that attracts, retains, and develops capable staff and/or volunteers who produce measurable results in support of the mission.
• You have a track record of sound financial management, including budgeting and reporting.
• You contribute to strategic discussions by providing operational insights and data.
• You value continuous improvement and implement feedback loops (like retrospectives) to enhance operations.

Requirements

• Proficiency with standard office software (Microsoft Office Suite / Google Workspace).
• Experience with financial software (e.g., QuickBooks for Non-Profits) and database management is required. Familiarity with church management software (e.g., ParishSOFT, Realm) is highly preferred.
• Strong understanding of bookkeeping principles and budget management.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and project management skills.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, and motivate staff and/or volunteer teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups (staff, parishioners, volunteers, vendors, diocesan representatives).
• Ability to translate vision and strategy into concrete, actionable steps.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• High degree of integrity and ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
• You collaborate effectively with leadership peers, including Pastors, ministry heads, and council members.
• You are data-informed and use operational metrics to guide decisions.
• You demonstrate strong organizational skills, are detail-oriented, and are committed to supporting the success of others and the parish mission.
• You are resourceful, proactive, and self-motivated.

Other Qualifications

• Previous experience in a leadership role requiring operational oversight.
• At least 5-7 years of functional experience in administration, operations, or finance, preferably in a non-profit or church environment.
• • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, or a related field is often preferred.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage parish operations effectively in support of ministry goals.
  • A collaborative “servant leader” able to hold himself/herself and the team accountable for effective results.
  • Alignment with the mission, values, and teachings of the Catholic Church (or the specific denomination of the parish).
  • Able to tolerate ambiguities and adapt plans as needed while maintaining focus on core objectives.

   

  Please email resumes to [email protected]

At the Archdiocese of St. Louis, we believe that every job is a potential pathway to purpose. Join a community where your skills and passion align with a greater mission, where every day brings new opportunities to make a meaningful difference for the Catholic faithful – and for the greater community – in St. Louis and 10 surrounding Missouri counties.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs