Archdiocese of Chicago

Job Details

Description

The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 216 parishes in Cook County and Lake County, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 13,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region’s largest nonprofit social service agency. The archdiocese also has one of the country’s largest seminaries. The archdiocese’s 154 elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems. Its schools have received 96 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards.

Position Summary

The Explore Events & Communications Manager implements the approach for fostering meaningful in-person and digital connection, cultivating spiritual openness, and creating regular opportunities for seekers in our Explore initiative.

This role is equal parts ministry and management: serving as a visible presence behind Explore’s on-the-ground expression in Chicago, designing and hosting grassroots events, overseeing logistics for larger events, cultivating friendships, managing communication touchpoints, and building a sense of belonging over time. The Manager will ensure that Explore on the ground will be a consistent walk of accompaniment and not inviting people to one big event.

The Manager will work closely with the Director of Explorer Engagement and the Guide Program Manager to bring our Explore strategy to life in a way that is local, personal, and authentic.

Responsibilities

• Event Management & Promotion:
• Manage Explore in-person events strategy implementation:
  • Plan and execute grassroots events designed to keep momentum and drive community engagement
  • Plan and manage logistics for Explore events, including food, materials, AV, and physical setup, ensuring seamless execution and budget alignment
  • Manage event scheduling to ensure alignment with broader organizational calendars
  • Manage event communications and promotion, including registration, confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups
  • Recruit, schedule, and support volunteers for events, ensuring each role is clearly defined and each person is equipped to offer hospitality and presence
  • Interface with team members and volunteers to create an engaging and welcoming environment that reflects Explore’s mission and fosters community
  • Track event success by drafting and distributing post-event surveys, analyzing engagement, and reporting insights to inform future improvement
  • Ensure that in-person events reflect Explore’s mission and provide a cohesive experience in messaging, tone, and atmosphere

Communications & Content:

• Implement localized elements of Explore communication strategy
  • Regular Explore newsletter tailored to local audiences
  • Manage social content that reflects the tone and relational approach of Explore
• Serve as a public face of Explore, in content, at events, and especially on social, embodying our posture of hospitality, curiosity, and invitation
• Represent Explore consistently in messaging, whether written or in-person
• Share stories and surface feedback from the community for the wider team

Community Development & Local Engagement:

• Create and maintain regular engagement points between larger Explore events:
  • Book clubs, social outings, service days, shared meals, low-barrier gatherings
• Curate rhythms of relational presence that invite participants deeper into community
• Gather and maintain contact lists from events and relationships
• Connect people with practical pastoral support and accompaniment through guides, and other appropriate touch-points
• Provide ongoing support to Explore guides, operationally, relationally, and spiritually acting as a point of contact, encourager, and mentor

Outreach & Relationship Building:

• Develop and manage outreach plan and ongoing relationships for interfacing with local parishes, ministry groups, and collaborators to extend invitations and spread awareness; (example groups = Young Catholic Professionals, Iskali)
• Serve as a relational presence, engaging with newcomers, listening to stories, and gently inviting further engagemen
• Train event volunteers in the Explore posture of hospitality and presence
• Support efforts to develop Guides (this work led by Explore Guide Manager)
• Follow up with participants and contacts after events, offering next steps and consistent invitations
• Champion a person-first, non-dogmatic posture that builds bridges with culturally Catholic and skeptical audiences

Qualifications

• 3+ years managing events
• 3+ years managing community engagement efforts
• 3+ years digital communication experience
• 3+ years managing volunteer groups
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required; Master’s degree in Divinity or Theology preferred
• Personal commitment to the mission of evangelization, community engagement, and faith exploration.
• Passion for relational evangelization, missional leadership development, and faith sharing. Skilled in accompanying individuals on their spiritual journey with humble attunement, respect, and prophetic listening.
• Deeply aligned with the vision and mission of Explore, able to internalize, uphold and represent it in both day-to-day execution and broader conversations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to foster trust and connection.
• Human and spiritual maturity to navigate sensitive conversations with serenity, empathy and wisdom.
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate complex accompaniment situations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, iterative environment and adapt to changing needs without undue anxiety or personalization.
• Rooted Innovation: faithful, teachable, adaptable, of an iterative mindset, comfortable refining methodologies based on real-world experiences and feedback.
• A hospitable, people-loving presence with a heart for outreach and evangelization
• Someone with natural emotional intelligence and an ability to meet people where they are
• Experienced in building community through informal and formal gatherings
• Strong grasp of social media and a natural communicator, online and off
• Rooted Innovation: faithful, teachable, adaptable, of an iterative mindset, comfortable refining methodologies based on real-world experiences and feedback.
• Other duties as assigned.

The Archdiocese of Chicago offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive compensation and benefit programs. Information about our benefit programs is available here.

This position has an annual salary range of $67,000 - $84,000. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on many factors including but not limited to: relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.