Executive Director

Executive Director

Chicago, IL

Full-Time, Exempt

Reports To:

Board of Directors

Posted:
June 2026

The Brother David Darst Center is a social justice education and retreat center located in Chicago. Founded in 2002 as a ministry of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, the Darst Center provides transformative social justice retreats and immersion experiences grounded in the Lasallian tradition and Catholic Social Teaching. Through our programs and partnerships with local community organizations, participants gain a deeper understanding of the complex realities of injustice and obtain tools to take action.

Our primary program is an immersion retreat experience for high school and college students, but we welcome retreatants of all ages. The program explores five "burning issues": homelessness, food insecurity, education, criminal justice, and immigration, which we address through encounter, direct service, social action, education, reflection, and outreach. We seek to inspire an active and engaged faith, a commitment to serve, and a passion for social change.

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive of the  . David Darst Center, responsible for translating the board's vision into organizational strategy, sustainable operations, and long-term institutional health. The ED provides leadership that is collaborative, transparent, and grounded in the Center's values of Human Dignity, Inclusive Community through Relationship, & Solidarity and Stewardship.

The Executive Director is first and foremost an organizational leader and builder, someone who develops the people, systems, and partnerships that allow the Darst Center's mission to flourish  ED ensures that the Center's capacity grows beyond any single individual, including themselves.

Partner with the Board of Directors to develop, refine, and implement the Center's strategic direction.

Translate mission and values into operational priorities, organizational goals, and measurable outcomes.

Identify and pursue opportunities for growth, partnership, and long-term sustainability.

Bring emerging challenges and opportunities to the board proactively, with clear options and recommendations.

Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors and its committees.

Coordinate board meeting preparation, including agenda development and timely distribution of materials.

Provide regular, transparent reporting on organizational finances, programs, and strategic progress.

Support board recruitment, orientation, and ongoing engagement.

Ensure compliance with Illinois nonprofit governance requirements and organizational bylaws.

Lead the Center's development strategy, including individual giving, foundation grants, and institutional partnerships.

Personally cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, and community funders.

Oversee annual budget development and ongoing fiscal management.

Lead or support capital campaigns, including building acquisition or improvement initiatives, with transparent donor communication.

Ensure compliance with all financial reporting requirements and nonprofit accountability standards.

Recruit, develop, supervise, and retain a high-performing staff team.

Foster a workplace culture consistent with the Center's values:
Human Dignity, Inclusive Community through Relationship, & Solidarity and Stewardship.

Establish clear roles, performance expectations, and professional development pathways for all staff.

Build organizational systems and structures that distribute capacity and reduce dependence on any individual.

Oversee effective day-to-day operations across administration, programs, and facilities.

Steward the Center's physical space, including maintenance planning and capital improvement prioritization.

Develop and sustain policies and processes that support organizational effectiveness and scalability.

Serve as a visible, credible ambassador for the Darst Center in…