Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry
Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport, Shelton, CT, United States
Overall Responsibility
The Director of Youth Ministry is responsible for visioning, articulating, and executing a creative ministry plan to foster young disciples in parishes, schools, and ecclesial movements. The coordinator articulates goal-oriented, measurable pathways for ministry with young people in middle and high school that are authentically relational by implementing a focused approach to the primary purpose of effective ministry: an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. This person will be successful if he or she can create a vibrant plan to implement a comprehensive ministry to, with, and for young people in our parishes, schools, and diocese.
This role prioritizes leadership formation, strategic coordination, and the cultivation of models that engage not only youth but also their families. Working collaboratively with diocesan offices, parish leadership, and Catholic schools, the Director serves as a resource, coach, and catalyst for renewal by ensuring that youth ministry contributes meaningfully to the broader mission of evangelization and missionary discipleship within the Diocese, especially as articulated by the Diocesan plan for pastoral renewal known as The One.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Parish & Regional Support
Assist parishes in designing, implementing, and sustaining effective relationships between young people and their parish communities
Support the development of and promote regional models of youth ministry where collaboration between parishes strengthens participation and resource-sharing
Provide consultation, assessment, and strategic guidance to pastors and parish leaders
Support parish leaders, especially pastors and youth ministry leaders, as they seek to understand the needs of young people in their community
Identify and disseminate recommended practices to parishes and schools across the Diocese
Leadership Formation & Accompaniment
In collaboration with the Institute for Catholic Formation, create and deliver ongoing formation for parish youth ministry leaders (staff and volunteers), including theological, pastoral, and practical competencies
Establish clear frameworks and expectations for youth ministry leadership rooted in the mission of the Church
Provide mentoring, coaching, and accompaniment for new and existing leaders
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and shared mission among parish leaders
Professional & Personal Development
Organize diocesan-wide opportunities, workshops, and retreats for youth ministry leaders
Promote opportunities for certification, continuing education, and spiritual growth
Support leaders in developing both ministerial skill and personal discipleship
Collaborate with national and regional organizations to provide up-to-date formation opportunities for ministry leaders
Innovation & Engagement
Generate and pilot innovative approaches to youth ministry that respond to current cultural realities
Expand youth ministry beyond event-based models toward sustained relational discipleship
Develop strategies that intentionally engage parents and families as primary partners in the formation of young people
Identify opportunities for digital, hybrid, and non-traditional forms of engagement
Post-Confirmation & Discipleship Focus
Lead diocesan efforts to reimagine ministry for youth in the post-Confirmation years
Develop pathways that invite young people into ongoing participation in parish life, service, and vocational discernment
Ensure that youth ministry is integrated into the broader evangelization strategy of the Diocese
Middle School Youth Ministry Expansion
Promote and support the development of intentional ministry for middle school-aged youth at parish, regional, and diocesan levels
Equip parishes with age-appropriate models that build a foundation for high school engagement
Ensure continuity between children’s formation programs and high school youth ministry
Foster relationships between parish leaders and parents
Collaboration with Catholic Schools
Work with diocesan Catholic schools to support and enhance youth ministry efforts within the school context
Develop partnerships between parish youth ministry and school communities
Identify opportunities for shared programming, retreats, and leadership development
Integration with Young Adult & Campus Ministry
Collaborate with diocesan leaders in young adult and campus ministry to ensure continuity of engagement beyond high school
Develop transitional pathways for graduating seniors into young adult ministry
Foster a unified vision of lifelong discipleship across ministry areas
Diocesan Collaboration & Strategic Alignment
Work closely with diocesan leadership to ensure youth ministry aligns with the overall pastoral vision and renewal efforts
Participate in diocesan planning initiatives and provide input on matters related to youth and family engagement
Contribute to communications, promotion, and visibility of youth ministry across the Diocese
Other duties as assigned by the Diocesan Bishop or his designee.
Qualifications and Requirements
Graduate Degree in Theology, Education, Religious Studies, or related field.
Five plus years of project management experience managing projects and coordinating teams, preferably at the diocesan level.
Actively growing in one’s faith and able to be a witness of Christ through a life of authenticity and integrity as a Roman Catholic in good standing.
Proven expertise on trends, methods, teachings, and research in youth, families, ministry, and education; interest in continually developing professional knowledge.
A strong work ethic and desire to exceed client expectations.
Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.
Solid problem-solving and time management skills.
Significant experience working effectively with young people and young adults.
An understanding of the human development of young people and how this intersects with their faith development.
An understanding of the crucial role parents play in the faith development of youth.
Enjoys being an active team member in a joyful work environment.
Strong presentation skills. Prior experience as a workshop presenter or teacher preferred.
Microsoft Office/Suite proficient (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and experience utilizing project management software.
Ability to work in an Apple environment and with video software preferred.
Able to work independently with little supervision and multitask efficiently and effectively, completing work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner.
Great interpersonal skills, with solid decision-making and leadership capabilities, and the ability to work as a team.
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with superiors, colleagues and individuals inside and outside the organization.
Ability to communicate in multiple languages preferred, especially English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Adhere to the U.S.C.C.B. Charter for Safe Environments Policy for Virtus compliance and adhere to the civil laws and reporting procedures.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
This role prioritizes leadership formation, strategic coordination, and the cultivation of models that engage not only youth but also their families. Working collaboratively with diocesan offices, parish leadership, and Catholic schools, the Director serves as a resource, coach, and catalyst for renewal by ensuring that youth ministry contributes meaningfully to the broader mission of evangelization and missionary discipleship within the Diocese, especially as articulated by the Diocesan plan for pastoral renewal known as The One.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Parish & Regional Support
Assist parishes in designing, implementing, and sustaining effective relationships between young people and their parish communities
Support the development of and promote regional models of youth ministry where collaboration between parishes strengthens participation and resource-sharing
Provide consultation, assessment, and strategic guidance to pastors and parish leaders
Support parish leaders, especially pastors and youth ministry leaders, as they seek to understand the needs of young people in their community
Identify and disseminate recommended practices to parishes and schools across the Diocese
Leadership Formation & Accompaniment
In collaboration with the Institute for Catholic Formation, create and deliver ongoing formation for parish youth ministry leaders (staff and volunteers), including theological, pastoral, and practical competencies
Establish clear frameworks and expectations for youth ministry leadership rooted in the mission of the Church
Provide mentoring, coaching, and accompaniment for new and existing leaders
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and shared mission among parish leaders
Professional & Personal Development
Organize diocesan-wide opportunities, workshops, and retreats for youth ministry leaders
Promote opportunities for certification, continuing education, and spiritual growth
Support leaders in developing both ministerial skill and personal discipleship
Collaborate with national and regional organizations to provide up-to-date formation opportunities for ministry leaders
Innovation & Engagement
Generate and pilot innovative approaches to youth ministry that respond to current cultural realities
Expand youth ministry beyond event-based models toward sustained relational discipleship
Develop strategies that intentionally engage parents and families as primary partners in the formation of young people
Identify opportunities for digital, hybrid, and non-traditional forms of engagement
Post-Confirmation & Discipleship Focus
Lead diocesan efforts to reimagine ministry for youth in the post-Confirmation years
Develop pathways that invite young people into ongoing participation in parish life, service, and vocational discernment
Ensure that youth ministry is integrated into the broader evangelization strategy of the Diocese
Middle School Youth Ministry Expansion
Promote and support the development of intentional ministry for middle school-aged youth at parish, regional, and diocesan levels
Equip parishes with age-appropriate models that build a foundation for high school engagement
Ensure continuity between children’s formation programs and high school youth ministry
Foster relationships between parish leaders and parents
Collaboration with Catholic Schools
Work with diocesan Catholic schools to support and enhance youth ministry efforts within the school context
Develop partnerships between parish youth ministry and school communities
Identify opportunities for shared programming, retreats, and leadership development
Integration with Young Adult & Campus Ministry
Collaborate with diocesan leaders in young adult and campus ministry to ensure continuity of engagement beyond high school
Develop transitional pathways for graduating seniors into young adult ministry
Foster a unified vision of lifelong discipleship across ministry areas
Diocesan Collaboration & Strategic Alignment
Work closely with diocesan leadership to ensure youth ministry aligns with the overall pastoral vision and renewal efforts
Participate in diocesan planning initiatives and provide input on matters related to youth and family engagement
Contribute to communications, promotion, and visibility of youth ministry across the Diocese
Other duties as assigned by the Diocesan Bishop or his designee.
Qualifications and Requirements
Graduate Degree in Theology, Education, Religious Studies, or related field.
Five plus years of project management experience managing projects and coordinating teams, preferably at the diocesan level.
Actively growing in one’s faith and able to be a witness of Christ through a life of authenticity and integrity as a Roman Catholic in good standing.
Proven expertise on trends, methods, teachings, and research in youth, families, ministry, and education; interest in continually developing professional knowledge.
A strong work ethic and desire to exceed client expectations.
Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.
Solid problem-solving and time management skills.
Significant experience working effectively with young people and young adults.
An understanding of the human development of young people and how this intersects with their faith development.
An understanding of the crucial role parents play in the faith development of youth.
Enjoys being an active team member in a joyful work environment.
Strong presentation skills. Prior experience as a workshop presenter or teacher preferred.
Microsoft Office/Suite proficient (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and experience utilizing project management software.
Ability to work in an Apple environment and with video software preferred.
Able to work independently with little supervision and multitask efficiently and effectively, completing work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner.
Great interpersonal skills, with solid decision-making and leadership capabilities, and the ability to work as a team.
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with superiors, colleagues and individuals inside and outside the organization.
Ability to communicate in multiple languages preferred, especially English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Adhere to the U.S.C.C.B. Charter for Safe Environments Policy for Virtus compliance and adhere to the civil laws and reporting procedures.
#J-18808-Ljbffr