Pastoral Associate - Parish Life

4000 ARCHDIOCESE OF SEATTLE PAYROLL SVC•Olympia, WA

4d•$55,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Pastoral Associate for Parish Life serves as a senior staff leader responsible for assisting the pastor in advancing the parish mission: “To place God first in all things: proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and grow in holiness through prayer, sacraments, and service. We Make Disciples.” Ingrained in an intimate relationship with Jesus and his Church, the Pastoral Associate for Parish Life reports directly to the pastor and provides leadership and oversight for the parish's efforts related to mission advancement, vision implementation, values integration, hospitality, communications, outreach, evangelization, discipleship, stewardship, volunteer engagement, parish events, and community development. The position establishes the culture, priorities, and strategic direction of the Office for Parish Life and ensures that all parish life initiatives contribute to the mission and long-term vitality of the parish. The Pastoral Associate for Parish Life oversees parish engagement, hospitality, communications support, volunteer development, stewardship initiatives, major parish events, outreach efforts, and parish personnel administration. The role is responsible for creating pathways through which parishioners encounter Christ, embrace the parish mission and vision, deepen their discipleship, grow in stewardship, and become active participants in the life and mission of the Church.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in theology, pastoral ministry, nonprofit leadership, business administration, communications, organizational leadership, human resources, or a related field; or equivalent experience.
Minimum of five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in parish ministry, nonprofit leadership, stewardship, communications, personnel administration, or organizational management.
Demonstrated experience supervising staff and volunteers and ability to manage sensitive matters appropriately.
Strong pastoral, organizational, leadership, interpersonal and communication skills.
Model Christian discipleship through active practice of Catholic faith, practices servant leadership, collaboration, and pastoral charity.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in theology, pastoral ministry, business administration, organizational leadership, or a related field.
Experience in a Catholic parish, Catholic school, diocese, or mission-driven nonprofit organization.
Experience in personnel administration, strategic planning, stewardship development, and volunteer management.
Ability to articulate and implement parish mission, vision, and values.
Ability to lead teams and foster a healthy organizational culture.
Ability to organize multiple priorities simultaneously.
Strong strategic planning and project management abilities.
Ability to work collaboratively with clergy, staff, volunteers, and parishioners.
Commitment to evangelization, discipleship, stewardship, and parish vitality.

Responsibilities

Promote and advance the parish mission in all parish life initiatives.
Collaborate with the Pastor and parish leadership in developing and implementing parish vision and strategic priorities including parish mission, vision, priorities, staffing, and ministry development.
Work with the Pastoral Associate for Parish Ministry to align parish life initiatives with faith formation, sacramental preparation, pastoral care, and ministry leadership and to cultivate and implement a common vision of discipleship.
Work with the Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Finances regarding budgets, stewardship efforts, and financial accountability.
Work with the Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Resources regarding facilities, technology, campus readiness, and operational support.
Collaborate with the School Principal on parish-school initiatives, family engagement, communications, and events.
Support strategic planning and continuous improvement efforts across parish ministries and operations.
Ensure that parish values are consistently reflected in programs, communications, events, and staff culture.
Provide leadership that fosters hospitality, accountability, evangelization, discipleship, stewardship, and community engagement.
Develop systems and structures that help parishioners grow from initial encounter toward active discipleship and leadership.
Develop parish outreach strategies that welcome newcomers, inactive Catholics, and those exploring the faith.
Coordinate evangelization initiatives that invite individuals into deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church.
Ensure that outreach activities align with parish mission, vision, and values.
Establish pathways that move individuals from outreach encounters into discipleship, ministry involvement, stewardship, and community life.
Lead the parish's overall strategy for stewardship of time, talent, and treasure.
Coordinate annual stewardship initiatives, parish appeals, recurring giving efforts, volunteer recruitment, and engagement opportunities.
Encourage parishioners to recognize and share their gifts in service to the Church and community.
Support leadership development among parish volunteers and ministry leaders.
Promote a culture of generosity, participation, and responsibility for the mission of the parish.
Oversee planning, promotion, execution, and evaluation of major parish events.
Coordinate parish-wide events including the Parish Picnic, Family Fun Night, Parish Gala, and other community-building initiatives.
Develop opportunities that strengthen relationships among parishioners and build a strong sense of belonging.
Coordinate volunteers, registrations, hospitality, communications, and event logistics.
Facilitate the inculturation of the faith and its authentic expression within the cultural diversity of our parish.
Provide leadership for parish personnel administration.
Coordinate hiring processes, onboarding, orientation, and employee record management.
Assist supervisors with employee coaching, development, evaluations, and performance improvement plans.
Ensure consistent implementation of parish personnel policies and procedures.
Support employee formation, professional development, and organizational health.
Maintain confidentiality regarding personnel matters and employee records.
Foster a workplace culture rooted in professionalism, collaboration, accountability, and mission alignment.
Direct the daily operations of the Office for Parish Life.
Supervise assigned staff and provide regular coaching, support, evaluation, and professional development.
Ensure effective systems for parishioner engagement, hospitality, volunteer management, communications, and event coordination.
Maintain organized records and administrative processes supporting parish life initiatives.
Develop and implement annual goals, objectives, and performance measures for the Office for Parish Life.
Promote collaboration among staff, ministries, volunteers, and parish organizations.
Coordinate communications that promote parish mission, vision, values, events, outreach opportunities, stewardship initiatives, and ministry involvement.
Oversee bulletin production, media support, event promotion, and communications systems housed within the Office for Parish Life.
Ensure parish communications are welcoming, consistent, timely, and mission-focused.
Create clear pathways through which parishioners can become involved in parish life.
Support parish hospitality efforts that foster belonging and engagement.
Develop systems for identifying, inviting, training, and supporting volunteers.
Assist parish ministries in recruiting and developing volunteer leaders.
Promote lay leadership formation and volunteer effectiveness.
Encourage collaboration among ministries and parish organizations.
Ensure volunteers receive appropriate support, communication, and recognition.