Announcement of Job Opening

Position: Executive Director of Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center Litchfield, CT

Applications being accepted through June 30, 2017

Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center, Litchfield, CT seeks an Executive Director for its interfaith, not-for-profit center. This is done in keeping with the mission and strategic planning for Wisdom House.

Candidates are required to have at least five years managerial and leadership experience, a bachelor’s degree, ability to manage the hospitality mission of the center to work with diverse personalities and cultures, excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to encourage and motivate staff, excellent organizational skills with ability to establish and rearrange priorities, proficiency in understanding and developing budgets, ability to mediate conflict, knowledge of buildings, grounds and ecology, basic computer skills.

Essential skills of an ideal candidate:

Motivation and skills to embrace the mission of Wisdom House and be aligned with the center’s core values; ability to convey the mission of Wisdom House; attention to hospitality and guest care, self-starting with attention to detail and commitment to achieving results; demonstrated skill in budget management; proven organizational skills, able to make decisions; reliable, trustworthy; respect and welcome guests of all cultures and spiritual traditions; contribute to the unique workplace environment of Wisdom House; exhibit an efficient, conscientious and effective work ethic which has been developing at the center for over 25 years; appreciate the land, the table and the arts. These are essential aspects of the mission and spirituality of Wisdom House.

Full details are contained below in the Job Description for Executive Director.

Applicants are requested to send a cover letter, resume, three professional references and give a range of an expected salary.

This Full Time salaried position includes medical benefits, vacation, holidays.

Job description for the Executive Director follows this announcement.

About Wisdom House: Founded in 1949 as a training center for women joining the congregation of nuns called the Daughters of Wisdom, then the addition of Seat of Wisdom College and, since 1967, an interfaith retreat and conference center presenting programs in spirituality, education and the arts. The center provides hospitality for the not-for-profit community. Wisdom House’s mission is rooted in the Judaeo-Christian Wisdom tradition which supports the center’s commitment to sustainability and concern for contemporary issues. It is a ministry of the Daughters of Wisdom.

Wisdom House is open year round and is an equal opportunity employer. More information on www.wisdomhouse.org .

Send application to Rosemarie Greco, DW, Executive Director, rg@wisdomhouse.org with subject line “Job Application”.

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JOB DESCRIPTION – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

JOB SUMMARY:The Executive Director of Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center serves as the chief executive officer, upholding the mission and core values of Wisdom House, in all matters of general administration, planning, fiscal management, property maintenance, personnel management, public relations, marketing and communications. www.wisdomhouse.org .

Mission:The mission of Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center is to provide a place of welcome and respect for all who seek Wisdom. The Center presents programs in spirituality, education and the arts and provides hospitality for the not-for-profit community. Wisdom House’s mission is rooted in the Judeo-Christian Wisdom tradition which supports the center’s commitment to sustainability and concern for contemporary issues. The center is a ministry of the Daughters of Wisdom.

Core Values of Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center:• Respect of all people; appreciation of diversity among people, cultures and spiritual traditions• Facilitates understanding among groups in residence.• Awareness of Catholic social justice teachings and commitment to humanitarian values.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Reports to: Daughters of Wisdom Board of Directors liaison.

Hospitality and Guest Care The Executive Director oversees the ministry of hospitality and care of guests with the coordinators of Hosted and Sponsored programs which include Book store and Art Gallery.

Ensures a hospitable presence, welcome and safety of all guests, especially when guests are in residence.

Provides for or arranges a staff rotation system for staff presence with guests. Oversees all departments for quality service to guests and respect for staff members. Commitment to the core values of Wisdom House (wisdomhouse.org) and Daughters of

Wisdom (daughtersofwisdom.org).

Management and AdministrationThe Executive Director is responsible for the day to day management of Wisdom House.

• Ensures mission effectiveness and adherence to the policies set by the Daughters of Wisdom Board of Directors.

• Creates strategic plan for Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center with Advisory Board.• Consults with Advisory Board at regular meetings.• Ensures effective communication with all stakeholders.• Provides effective coaching, support and evaluation for staff members and volunteers.

• Prepares and presents quarterly report and annual operating budget for review and approval by the Daughters of Wisdom Board of Directors.

• Assures mission effectiveness.• Manages and approves all social media communications, in line with the mission.

Fiscal Management• Develops and manages the annual budget for ordinary and capital expenses. • Oversees all accounting activities, including payroll and financial transactions and reporting.• Reviews monthly P&L, CDs and investments; approves expenditures; approves monthly financial

reports.• Oversees the annual audit and works with independent auditor.• Manages all fundraising activities in support of Wisdom House’s programs; cultivates donor base

and other resources to support Wisdom House’s mission.• Engages in fund raising, grant writing, including grant proposals, applications, related research

and reporting.• Coordinates Wisdom Award selection and implementation with nominations committee and

staff.• Evaluates property and liability insurance proposals.

Management of Human Resources• Ensures adequate staffing levels that remain within annual salary budget.• Effectively coaches, supports and appraises staff members.• Approves employee time logs, signs payroll checks; approves time off requests in accordance

with established policies.• Implements wage increases as approved by the Daughters of Wisdom Board of Directors.• Manages the annual health insurance plan renewal. Consults with insurance broker and

recommends plan design and premium cost for approval by the Daughters of Wisdom Board of Directors.

• Proactively manages Wisdom House’s workers’ compensation program. Follows up on all incidents and accidents and maintains effective communication with employees.

• Proactively manages any incident and accident reports involving guests and maintains effective communication as needed.

Management of Building and Grounds• Ensures the security of the buildings and grounds, oversees maintenance; responds to occasional

off hour emergencies; oversees personnel and repairs on renovations of building and grounds (70 acres) and the immediate campus of 4-6 acres.

• Provides oversight for buildings and grounds• Ensures compliance with all applicable regulations, including OSHA. Makes projections for

repairs and replacements due to depreciation of property from usage. Ensures the health of trees, plants, wildlife on the property (see sustainability brochure).

• Consult as needed for licenses and inspections with:• Department of Health/Torrington Area (kitchen, water supply, swimming pool);• Connecticut Department of Safety (elevator);• Litchfield Fire Marshall and Building Inspector (building inspections and emergency

shelter management);• Hartford Steam boiler (boilers and furnaces);• Other agencies as needed (i.e. Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and

United States Department of Agriculture).

Advocacy/Community Relations/Communications

• Identifies, establishes and maintains effective communications with individuals, businesses, and groups whose support, expertise, resources and influence are valuable to Wisdom House’s mission and strategic plan.

• Actively participates in professional and community organizations and presents oneself as an advocate of Wisdom House.

• Oversees and approves all media communications. Manages all correspondence with donors, foundations, organization and other stakeholders, as needed.

• Promotes appropriate marketing and advertising consistent with Wisdom House’s * tax exempt not for profit status and mission which includes various media sources and organizations.

Work Environment The hours of work may exceed 40 and will include evenings and weekend hours. Work includes frequent sitting, walking , climbing stairs, the ability to navigate terrain that

is low to moderate in nature, and the ability to respond to residential room issues. Confidentiality is essential for financial, personal and guest information.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required• Aligned with core Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center values, including proven

ability to work with diverse personalities and cultures and commitment to social justice and humanitarian issues.

• Commitment to the core values and mission of both Wisdom House (www.wisdomhouse.org) and the Daughters of Wisdom (www.daughtersofwisdom.org ).

• Knowledge of and appreciation for contemporary Catholic spirituality and teaching and other world spiritual traditions.

• Basic awareness of contemporary cosmology, environmental and other current issues to uphold and promote the center’s commitment to exploration of contemporary global issues.

• Five or more years of non-profit management/leadership in hospitality, operations and human resources.

• Demonstrated proficiency in budget management; working knowledge of QuickBooks• Proven proficient organizational skills in planning, delegating, program development and task

facilitation.• Ability to convey the mission of Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center to all

stakeholders, including staff, board, volunteers and donors.• Strong collaborative skills• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing• Public speaking ability – speaking to groups at Wisdom House concerning the mission and

spirituality focus.• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (particularly Word and Excel).• Working knowledge of tax and other compliance implications of non-profit status.• Commitment to high ethical standards and support of a diverse retreat center.• Demonstrated ability to network effectively on a community-wide basis.• Track record of fundraising success, including ability to write grants and secure donor

funding.

5/13/2017