Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry | DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT, CT
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 & 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
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
• Other duties as assigned by the Diocesan Bishop or his designee.
Qualifications & 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.
