In Search of Our Next
Executive Director
The Saint Benedict Institute, dedicated to making the Catholic intellectual and spiritual tradition alive at Hope College, seeks its next executive director.
Founded in 2014 by Catholic scholars at Hope College, the Saint Benedict Institute seeks to promote and nurture intellectual work done from the heart of the Catholic Church, to foster an ecumenical community of Catholic Christians and friends committed to the renewal of culture, and to aid in the formation of intellectually and spiritually mature Christians by making available the riches of the Catholic tradition to Hope College and the wider community. Its successful campus ministry and well-attended intellectual events have earned it wide respect among peer institutions and parents seeking a Catholic presence on a college campus.
For its first twelve years, SBI was led by two volunteers, co-founders and Hope College professors Jared Ortiz and Jack Mulder. Given the pressing needs of a growing institution with a sizable budget, numerous personnel, a solid reputation, and the spiritual welfare of many young people, SBI is ready for full-time leadership.
A Laborer in a Growing Harvest
The Executive Director serves as the chief executive and strategic leader of the Saint Benedict Institute, responsible for advancing its dual mission of Catholic intellectual engagement and spiritual formation. Reporting to the board and working in close collaboration with the priest chaplain, diocesan, and campus partners, the Executive Director oversees strategy, programs, fundraising, staff leadership, external relationships, and organizational sustainability.
This is a senior leadership role requiring theological depth, institutional acumen, fundraising capacity, and the ability to navigate complex relationships across higher education and ecclesial contexts.
In taking the helm, the next executive director will encounter an array of opportunities and challenges. The most important will be continuing to implement the mission and renewing the strategic plan. Evaluating the current organizational structure and making the changes necessary to maximize effectiveness will ensure that all staff are empowered to fulfill their roles and advance the mission. The Institute’s sustainability through fundraising and sound financial management will remain a priority throughout the new director’s tenure.
Candidate Profile and Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Practicing Catholic in full communion with the Church and faithful to her teachings.
Deep familiarity with the Catholic intellectual tradition and its contemporary application.
Demonstrated leadership experience within educational, ecclesial, or mission-driven organizations.
Proven ability to articulate mission compellingly to diverse audiences, including donors and institutional partners.
Strong interpersonal judgment, emotional intelligence, and political acumen.
Preferred Qualifications:
PhD (preferred) or Master’s degree in theology, philosophy, or a closely related discipline; or equivalent experience.
Experience in fundraising and donor cultivation.
Familiarity with undergraduate formation and campus ministry contexts.
Comfort working within ecumenical and higher education environments.
Reporting Relationship and Governance:
Reports to the Saint Benedict Institute Board, of which the Bishop of Grand Rapids serves as Episcopal Moderator.
Works in close partnership with the priest chaplain, parish leadership, the Diocese of Grand Rapids, and Hope College leadership.
Under the partnership with Hope College, SBI also operates within prescribed accountability structures at Hope College and meets with relevant Hope leaders.
Compensation:
Competitive salary; full benefits provided through the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
Position Start Date: July 1, 2027
Application Deadline: October 1, 2026
Discern With Us
Download the full Executive Director Prospectus for a full position description and application instructions.