Job Description:          Business Manager

Organization:               St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend 

Location:                     Garrett, Indiana 

Job Classification:      Full-Time, Exempt, Non-Ministerial 

Reports To:                  Pastor

Position Summary

The Business Manager serves as a steward of the parish’s physical, financial, personnel, and operational resources. Reporting directly to the Pastor, this role provides essential administrative and operational leadership to ensure the efficient, compliant, and mission-aligned management of parish finances, office operations, human resources, and facilities. The position functions in a collaborative, service-oriented manner while upholding the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism in support of the mission of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the policies of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Financial

-            Collaborate with the Pastor, department heads, and the Parish Finance Council to develop, monitor, and present annual parish and/or school budgets for review and approval. 

-            Oversee and/or prepare all bookkeeping functions, including payroll reports, benefit management, bank deposits and receipts, invoice payments, pledge and contribution records, tuition, and financial statements. 

-            Maintain all parish financial files and records in accordance with Diocesan guidelines and best practices. 

-            Produce periodic financial reports and statements for the Pastor, Finance Council, and Diocesan requirements.   

Operations

-            Oversee parish and office operations, including correspondence, records management, vendor relations, and day-to-day administrative support. 

-            Coordinate facility maintenance, repairs, contracts, and bids for services, ensuring safe and efficient operation of parish buildings and grounds. 

-            Serve as a liaison between the parish, the Diocese, and external entities on business, financial, and administrative matters. 

-            Process payroll through the designated Diocesan system (e.g., UKG) and ensure timely, accurate payments and reporting. 

-            Assist with collections, fundraising events, and other stewardship initiatives as directed. 

-            Advise the Pastor on business, financial, and operational matters while adhering to all canonical and civil regulations. 

-            Perform additional duties as assigned by the Pastor or Diocesan leadership to support the overall mission of the parish. 

Strategic Collaboration and Long-Term Parish Planning

The Business Manager works in close partnership with the Pastor and other stakeholders to support the broader vision and long-term direction of the parish. This involves providing operational insight and resource stewardship that aligns day-to-day management with the parish’s pastoral goals and future sustainability.

Key responsibilities in this area include:

• Partner with the Pastor to translate pastoral priorities into practical operational and financial plans that promote the parish’s long-term vitality and mission effectiveness.
• Collaborate with the Pastor, Parish Finance Council, Pastoral Council, and other stakeholders to identify needs, evaluate resources, and support informed decisions regarding budget priorities, facilities improvements, program development, and risk management.
• Contribute data-driven, results-based analysis, forecasting, and recommendations to guide multi-year planning for financial health, stewardship growth, and operational efficiency.
• Advise on process improvements, technology enhancements, and resource allocation that strengthen parishioner engagement and address the evolving needs of the parish community.
• Participate in relevant council meetings and strategic discussions to ensure administrative operations proactively support the parish’s mission and Diocesan guidelines.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, engineering, or a related technical or management field is required (advanced degree or equivalent senior-level experience strongly preferred).
• Extensive professional experience in business management, operations, financial oversight, or leadership roles, including proven success in developing and scaling business initiatives, managing budgets, and driving organizational growth. Experience in a nonprofit, educational, or mission-driven environment is a plus but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee financial operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, resource allocation, and compliance, with a track record of achieving measurable results in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel for analysis and reporting), project management tools, and a willingness to quickly learn diocesan financial and payroll systems. Prior experience with accounting or ERP software is beneficial.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, including the ability to supervise staff or volunteers, build collaborative relationships, and guide cross-functional teams toward shared goals.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality, exercise sound judgment in sensitive situations, and navigate complex operational or stakeholder challenges with professionalism and integrity.
• Excellent organizational, communication (verbal and written), and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with clergy, parishioners, diocesan leadership, vendors, and community partners.
• Proven capacity to multitask, prioritize competing demands, work independently, and thrive in a dynamic, service-oriented environment while supporting the mission of the parish.
• Active, practicing Catholic with a strong commitment to the teachings and mission of the Catholic Church is highly preferred.
• Must successfully complete all Diocesan Safe Environment training and background checks.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

-            Regular office hours (typically Monday–Friday) with occasional evening or weekend availability for parish events or meetings. 

-            Primarily sedentary work with occasional lifting of files or supplies (up to 20 lbs.). 

-            Professional office setting within the parish complex. 

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and references to the Pastor or Diocesan Human Resources via the designated application channel (e.g., diocesefwsb.org careers portal or parish email). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.