Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, Arizona, invites applications and nominations for the Executive Director position. The Executive Director will amplify Spirit in the Desert’s mission as a Lutheran-rooted ministry that welcomes people of all backgrounds to a place of peace, renewal, healing, and spiritual growth.
The successful candidate will:
Be drawn to the center’s mission, vision, and values
Be ecumenically-minded, theologically open-minded, accepting, compassionate, inclusive, respectful, and approachable
Be a visionary - innovative, optimistic, energetic, enthusiastic, inspiring, persuasive, and creative
Have very strong interpersonal skills - personable, sociable, outgoing, discerning listener, and articulate communicator
Have experience managing a complex nonprofit organization, including budget preparation, accountability for financial sustainability, and management of properties
Have demonstrated success in developing relationships among new prospects, converting them to donors, while fostering current donor relationships to reach or exceed fundraising goals
Have experience building a strong team and staff through hiring, staff development, and performance management
Have a college or university degree and have had pastoral, congregational, or outdoor ministry experience or have had management within a non-profit setting. Have knowledge of the ELCA, nationally and globally, and of many religious traditions and cultures.
The retreat center campus includes the Ravenscroft Chapel, the Richard Anderson Dining Commons, the Estrem and Yackel lodging facilities, the Sunset Chapel and Hanson Contemplative Garden, a labyrinth, meditation walks, and multiple conference and meeting rooms. Spirit in the Desert has been the site for churches, multifaith houses of worship, and international guests to host personal and group retreats. The retreat center hosts a mid-week worship respite of meditation and Holy Communion, provides online Daily Devotions, as well as other faith formation opportunities.
A complete search profile, including information about Spirit In The Desert Retreat Center and the desired attributes for the Executive Director, is available on the SITD home page at Executive-Director-Spirit-in-the-Desert-Retreat-Center.pdf
Salary range/Compensation Package: $115,000-$130,000
Application Instructions: Applications should include a letter of interest demonstrating alignment with SITD’s mission, a resume, and the names of five professional references with email addresses and telephone numbers. All submissions will be treated in confidence and should be sent electronically in PDF format to Melissa Maxwell-Doherty melissa.maxwelldoherty@gmail.com.
Application Deadline: Applications received by January 15, 2026 will be assured of full consideration. Review of nominations and applications will begin immediately, and nominations and expressions of interest will be welcomed until an appointment is made. The appointee is expected to take office by July 1, 2026.
Website: Spirit In the Desert Retreat Center Connect, Refresh, Renew