Associate Director

Catholic Diocese of Memphis•Stanton, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat Center is a Catholic retreat and conference center set on 140 peaceful acres just 45 minutes from East Memphis in Stanton, TN. Owned and operated by the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, we offer a beautiful Chapel, 27 private bedrooms, conference space for groups from 1 to 100, miles of walking trails and outdoor activities, a professional kitchen and dining for up to 100. We offer a sacred space for prayer, reflection, renewal, and community – and mixed uses for youth, young adults and families. The retreat center serves all the faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Memphis and welcomes all people of good will – including parish groups, diocesan ministries, nonprofit organizations, and third-party retreat groups. With a strong emphasis on Christian hospitality, OLQP strives to create an environment where every guest feels welcomed, cared for, and spiritually supported from first contact through departure. Whether guests come for silence and solitude, spiritual enrichment, fellowship, or renewal, OLQP’s mission of providing Christian hospitality, promoting peace of mind, creating space for the Holy Spirit and fostering intimacy with Jesus Christ is at the heart of everything we do. Position Summary The Associate Director plays a vital leadership role in ensuring the retreat center delivers an exceptional guest experience rooted in Christian hospitality. This position oversees guest coordination and scheduling, staff scheduling, food and menu planning, and day-to-day operational leadership for retreats and events. Serving as the primary point of contact for retreat guests and group leaders, the Associate Director ensures seamless planning, clear communication, and outstanding execution of both day and overnight retreats. The position averages 30 hours per week, with a minimum of two days on-site, which may include weekends and evenings depending on retreat and event schedules. We offer flexibility in scheduling and self-managing your time. Some weeks will require as little as the equivalent of 3 workdays and as many as 5, depending on activities.

Requirements

Practicing Catholic, with respect for and alignment with the mission and values of the Catholic Church and the Diocese of Memphis.
Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word & Outlook.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a service-oriented mindset.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and coordinate details across teams.
Comfortable negotiating within established guidelines and managing guest expectations.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and leadership.

Responsibilities

Serve as a visible ambassador of Christian hospitality, ensuring every guest encounter reflects warmth, professionalism, and care.
Oversee the full guest experience from initial inquiry through post-retreat follow-up, ensuring a welcoming and spiritually supportive environment.
Address guest needs, questions, and concerns promptly and compassionately.
Work with Advisory Board and Office of Evangelization & Faith Formation to develop Diocese retreat offerings. Endeavor to schedule (at least 6 months in advance) offerings hosted by Our Lady Queen of Peace to include Silent, Seasonal, Family, Youth, Young Adult and various other offerings across different demographics and cultures in our Catholic Church.
Act as the primary point of contact for: Day retreats, Third-party overnight retreats, Hosted overnight retreats
Coordinate retreat logistics including scheduling, lodging, meals, meeting spaces, and special requests.
Manage retreat registrations, communications, and on-site coordination.
Negotiate pricing for third-party retreats within an established pricing framework.
Supervise the Facilities Coordinator and assist him/her with responsibilities for: staff scheduling, ensuring appropriate coverage for retreats, meals, and events; menu planning and food procurement, balancing hospitality, quality, budget, and dietary needs.
Collaborate with facilities/housekeeping and kitchen staff to ensure smooth operations and readiness for all events.
Coordinate efforts with other Diocese/Chancery co-workers including fundraising/development, communications/marketing/social media, accounting, human resources, etc.
Work under the direction of the Our Lady Queen of Peace Advisory Board. This is a joint effort with the overall strategic tone and approach established by the Advisory Board.
Collaborate directly with the Chairman of the Advisory Board on strategic, operational, and financial matters. Including monitoring of the financial budget of the retreat center.
Participate in regular meetings with the Chairman, with a frequent cadence initially, transitioning to a less frequent schedule as systems and rhythms are established.
Attend and provide updates during periodic meetings with the full Advisory Board.
Identify opportunities to enhance guest satisfaction, operational efficiency, and hospitality practices.
Contribute ideas and feedback to support the long-term mission, sustainability, and growth of the retreat center.