Executive Director

Under the authority of the Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, through the Executive Director of Catholic Social Services, the Executive Director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton is responsible for the successful operation of the organization, driving mission fulfillment, strategic growth, and community impact.  The Executive Director works closely with the members of Leadership and the Board of Trustees, and is responsible for the overall management and administration of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton.  The organization is inspired by Catholic faith and shared values and is driven by its mission to restore dignity and independence to individuals and families, especially the poor and vulnerable through service, advocacy, and community building. The Executive Director oversees direct care, clinical, administrative, financial, and workforce operations. The position plays a key role in shaping outcomes for individuals supported, and for developing and sustaining a high-performing team of interdisciplinary professionals to provide services with dignity, respect, and compassion.  The Executive Director must maintain the organization consistent with the philosophy and ethical norms of the Roman Catholic Church. Predominant qualities expected of the Executive Director include commitment to and identification with the Church’s mission of service, strong visionary leadership, excellent public relations, and fundraising skills. Grounded in integrity, transparency, and accountability, the Executive Director collaborates effectively across diverse stakeholders, and has strong operational acumen to integrate programs, strengthen internal systems, and foster a cohesive culture.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership:   The Executive Director establishes and manages a collaborative and effective executive leadership team that consists of the Executive Director, the three Service Area Directors (Community Services, Children and Family Services, and Integrated Behavioral Health), and the Associate Executive Director of Fiscal Affairs, directors of Human Resources, Quality Improvement and Compliance, and Marketing and Development. 

The Executive Director:

• Supports each member of the executive team.
• Ensures the executive team members are collaborating and working well together for the Catholic Charities’ mission.
• Fosters a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous quality improvement.
• Implements employment, promotion, disciplinary action, and discharges of the leadership team while delegating management, personnel duties, and policy implementation responsibilities to executive team for their respective areas of responsibility.
• Ensures that each member of the executive team is supported, equipped, positioned, and capable of carrying out his/her duties and responsibilities.
• Is the face of the organization, actively involved in fund-raising efforts by cultivating existing and potential donors.

Governance:   The Executive Director works with the Board of Trustees and functions as the ex-officio and non-voting member to fulfill the organizational mission and strategic initiatives, including the following:

• Reports to and works closely with the Board of Trustees to involve Board Members in policy decisions, fundraising, and to increase the overall visibility of Catholic Charities.
• Communicates effectively with the Board and provides, in a timely manner, all information necessary for the Board to function effectively and to make informed decisions.
• Assists the Board Chair in preparation of agendas for the Board of Trustee and Executive Committee meetings.
• Assigns members of the executive team to facilitate standing committees, ad hoc and subcommittees, and prepares agendas, ensuring necessary information is provided timely.
• Meets with the Bishop as President of the Corporation and members of the Corporate Board overseeing the Diocese of Trenton, as defined in the by-laws at least annually to review and obtain approval of the annual Budget as well as approval for new members of the Board of Trustees. 

Financial Performance and Viability:  The Executive Director, in conjunction with the Associate Executive Director of Fiscal Affairs, ensures public and private funding resources are sufficient to support the financial health of Catholic Charities. This is an effort that also involves other members of the executive team and the Board of Trustees, and includes the following:

• Ensures the development of the organization’s annual budget.
• Oversees the fiscal integrity of the organization, ensuring that the Board of Trustees gets timely reports which accurately reflect the condition of the organization, which go to the finance committee for review and comment and to the Board of Trustees, the fiduciaries for Catholic Charities.
• Ensures approval of the annual organization’s budget from members of the Corporate Board. 
• Oversees fiscal management that generally anticipates operating within the approved budgets, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position in collaboration with the Associate Executive Director of Fiscal Affairs, Service Areas Directors, and department heads.
• Executes contracts, grant applications, requests for government funding etc. after review by service area directors, department heads, and Fiscal Affairs. 
• Oversees and executes a comprehensive fundraising strategy encompassing grants, individual and major gifts, planned-giving, events, and strategic partnerships to ensure long-term organizational sustainability.

Organization Mission and Strategy:  The Executive Director works with the Board of Trustees, executive team and other staff to ensure that Catholic Charities’ mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning and community outreach, including the following:

• Ensures programs remain responsive to community needs and aligned with organizational goals.
• Prepares annual reports, which includes the three-service areas and the Catholic Charities central administrative services.
• Works with the Board of Trustees to periodically update goals of Catholic Charities.

Organizational Operations:  Oversees and implements appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the organization are appropriate, including the following:

• Assures that the shared services provide responsive and quality services while reducing costs through efficiencies, elimination of redundancies, and the implementation of best practices in each discipline.
• Holds meetings with the executive team to assess and plan for the smooth operation of all functions of the organization and encourages open communication and teamwork in fulfilling its mission.

Public Policy, Advocacy, and Community Relations:  Serves as the primary spokesperson for Catholic Charities to the organization’s stakeholders, the media, the community at large, and legislative and governmental policy makers; especially when advocating for the poor, the sick, and the disenfranchised.  Such duties include the following:

• Represents Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Trenton at state meetings of NJ Catholic Charities, NJ Conference of Catholic Bishops, CCUSA and secular statewide groups etc.
• Designates an alternative spokesperson when appropriate.

Performance and Quality Improvement: The Executive Director, with the Director of Quality Improvement and Compliance, develops methods and techniques for performance and quality improvement, including the following:

• Monitors the organization and program accreditation(s).
• Strives to achieve the highest rankings with nationally recognized accreditation entities.
• Drives measurable improvements in outcomes and quality of care for individuals served, ensuring progress on identified initiatives and corrective actions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:   The Executive Director assures that supervision of employees complies with all governmental regulations and promotes the growth and development of employees to ensure workforce readiness and compliance with required competencies, policies, and procedures, in conjunction with the Director of Human Resources.

• Responsible for direct supervision of Catholic Charities leadership team.
• Responsible for direct supervision of administrative assistant.