Description

The Conference Affairs Coordinator designs, coordinates, and implements strategic initiatives that strengthen the network of parish-based Conferences within the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Conferences are parish-based groups of Vincentian volunteers who provide person-to-person assistance to neighbors in need through compassionate service.

This position provides leadership in volunteer recruitment and development, spiritual formation, Conference growth, and Archdiocesan event planning while ensuring administrative oversight and compliance with National Council standards and applicable 501(c)(3) requirements.

The Coordinator uses data-informed strategies, collaboration, and relationship building to strengthen Conference effectiveness, foster volunteer engagement, and advance the Vincentian charism. The Vincentian charism is the distinctive Catholic spirituality inspired by St. Vincent de Paul, calling Vincentians to grow in holiness through compassionate, person-to-person service to individuals and families experiencing poverty.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary liaison to all Louisville-area Conferences and Conference leadership.
• Recruit, develop, and support Conference Presidents, District Council leaders, and the Council President.
• Support the formation of new Conferences and strengthen existing Conferences.
• Cultivate relationships with pastors, parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations.
• Represent St. Vincent de Paul throughout the Catholic community.
• Recruit, engage, recognize, and retain Vincentian volunteers.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate trainings, orientations, retreats, leadership gatherings, and other formation opportunities to strengthen volunteers' ability to serve neighbors in need and deepen their Vincentian spirituality.
• Coordinate Conference communications and volunteer recognition initiatives.
• Coordinate Vincentian Masses, Feast Day celebrations, and other Conference-related events.
• Ensure compliance with National Council reporting requirements, safeguarding standards, and operational policies.
• Manage Conference records, financial assistance vouchers, and program performance metrics.
• Develop and implement metrics to evaluate Conference effectiveness, volunteer engagement, Vincentian membership growth, training outcomes, and overall program impact.
• Partner with internal departments to strengthen Conference operations and advance the Society's mission.
• Participate in strategic planning, budgeting, leadership initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 Specific Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Experience with Catholic organizations or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul preferred.
• Ability to build rapport and cultivate meaningful relationships with Catholic volunteers, parish leadership, and community partners.
• Ability to clearly communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, including Vincentians, volunteer leadership, internal staff, and external partners, to discuss and resolve complex issues.
• Dynamic public speaking and presentation skills, with the ability to facilitate trainings, spiritual retreats, orientations, leadership meetings, and special events.
• Strong storytelling and promotional writing skills, with the ability to highlight local Vincentian success stories, draw from the lives of Vincentian figures and saints, and write compelling spiritual reflections that encourage engagement with the Vincentian charism.
• Strong event planning and project management skills, including coordinating the logistics and execution of large-scale community gatherings.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple competing deadlines, projects, and organizational needs.
• Strong empathetic listening skills to effectively understand Conference needs and operational challenges.
• Demonstrates empathy, patience, and pastoral sensitivity while maintaining the professionalism needed to manage volunteer expectations, provide constructive guidance, and ensure alignment with organizational goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Five or more years of nonprofit, ministry, volunteer management, community engagement, or program leadership experience.
• A combination of education, training and experience that results in demonstrated competency to perform the work may be substituted
• Valid driver's license and proof of personal automobile insurance are required.
• Successfully pass any required pre-employment background and drug screening