Catholic Extension Society · 13 hours ago
Director of Events
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
7+ years expCatholic Extension Society is seeking a Director of Events to lead gatherings that connect people to their mission. This role involves managing and planning a variety of events, ensuring smooth operations, and fostering collaboration across the organization.
Non-profit Organization Management
Responsibilities
Provide Leadership and Foster Collaboration: Serve as Catholic Extension’s senior-most event planner, setting standards of excellence and ensuring alignment across the organization. While the Director will not directly manage all events—for example, the national and regional Spirit of St. Francis Award Dinners—they will support colleagues and external partners, reduce silos, share best practices, and support one another in creating effective, mission-driven experiences
Manage Core Gatherings: Plan and execute Chicago-based convenings, including staff celebrations, four all-staff meetings, the staff appreciation dinner, Christmas Mass and luncheon, two meetings each of the Board of Governors, the Executive Committee, and the Finance Committee, as well as the annual Board dinner
Deliver Distinctive Experiences: Lead planning—often with outside logistical support—for Catholic Extension’s biennial Mission Bishops Conference and the Thanksgiving Celebration, ensuring these high-profile gatherings reflect Catholic Extension’s mission and impact
Cultivate Key Relationships: Manage up to 15 smaller cultivation events annually outside Chicago, designed to strengthen ties with major gift prospects (in collaboration with gift officers) and with priests and parish leaders (in collaboration with mission officers). While the Director is not expected to attend all, travel is required
Ensure Seamless Operations: Oversee logistics, budgets, vendor management, and CRM (Virtuous) data for events you lead, ensuring each one runs smoothly, responsibly, and with Catholic Extension’s tradition of service
Strengthen Identity: Manage branded apparel and ensure consistency across event communications and collateral
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree and at least 7 years of professional experience, ideally in a midsize or larger nonprofit, university, or business setting
Demonstrated expertise in event planning and project management, with a record of delivering high-quality gatherings that advance mission goals
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage multiple projects in a fast paced environment while solving problems with resourcefulness and initiative
Supervisory experience
Open to learning new tools, adopting innovative approaches, and leveraging technology to improve results
Willingness to travel for cultivation events outside Chicago
Collaborative and creative team player who can also work independently
Collegial, mission-centered presence, with the ability to build trust and foster community
Knowledge of the Catholic Church and its teachings, with sensitivity to serving faith-based communities
Comfortable with ambiguity and proactive in making decisions
Positive attitude, humility, and sense of humor
Company
Catholic Extension Society
Catholic Extension Society works in solidarity with people to build up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities among the poor in the poorest regions of America.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Kevin McGowan
Chief Financial Officer
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