National Centre for Padre Pio – Executive Director

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Angeletti Group invites nominations and applications for the position of Executive Director of the National Centre for Padre Pio. This leadership role offers the opportunity to guide a well-established Catholic shrine and spiritual center dedicated to preserving and promoting the life, spirituality, and teachings of Saint Pio of Pietreclina, commonly known as “Padre Pio”.

Reporting to the Centre’s Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the chief executive responsible for advancing the Centre’s mission and ensuring effective stewardship of its resources. The Executive Director oversees the organization’s operations, finances, and staff while fostering a culture aligned with the Centre’s spiritual purpose and commitment to service.

Working closely with the Board and staff, the next Executive Director will strengthen fundraising, support long-term sustainability, and ensure the Centre continues to serve pilgrims and visitors seeking spiritual renewal and a deeper understanding of Padre Pio.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR PADRE PIO
The National Centre for Padre Pio, Inc. was founded by Harry and Vera Calandra to promote the life, virtues, and teachings of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.

The Centre traces its origins to 1968, when Vera Calandra traveled to San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, to meet Padre Pio. After receiving his blessing for her sick daughter, she promised that if the child survived she would dedicate herself to sharing Padre Pio’s life and spirituality with others. With permission from the Capuchin Friars of San Giovanni Rotondo, she began distributing literature and speaking publicly about Padre Pio throughout the United States.

The organization moved to Barto, Pennsylvania in 1990, beginning in a converted barn with a rustic chapel. In January 1991, Bishop Thomas J. Welsh of the Diocese of Allentown celebrated the Mass marking the Centre’s official welcome to the Diocese. As visitation increased, additional land was acquired and, in 1998, representatives of the Diocese of Allentown and the Capuchin Franciscan Order blessed the site and broke ground for construction of the replica of Our Lady of Grace Chapel and the Padre Pio Spirituality Centre.

Today the campus includes:
Our Lady of Grace Chapel, a reproduction of the friary church where Padre Pio received the stigmata
Padre Pio Spirituality Centre
Saint Pio Museum and Cultural Centre
Gift shop and visitor facilities

The Saint Pio Museum includes a 7,000 square foot permanent exhibit titled “Padre Pio Living in Two Worlds.”

Each year, tens of thousands of pilgrims visit the Centre for prayer, retreats, and educational programs. Consistent with the founders’ vision, the Centre distributes literature and educational materials about Padre Pio throughout the United States and the English-speaking world and hosts conferences, retreats, and pilgrimages. Many activities are offered free of charge. In recent years, the Board of Directors has engaged in a strategic planning and master planning process to consider the Centre’s long-term growth and sustainability. As part of this work, the Board has begun exploring ways to enhance the campus and deepen the experience for pilgrims and visitors. These discussions may ultimately inform a future capital campaign, potentially in the range of $10–20 million, to support the Centre’s continued development.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Executive Director provides overall leadership and management of the National Centre for Padre Pio. The organization operates with an annual operating budget of approximately $3 million and a staff of approximately 18 employees.

Working with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director oversees strategic planning, financial stewardship, organizational operations, and development activities that support the Centre’s mission.

The Executive Director also serves as the Centre’s primary representative with donors, supporters, Catholic institutions, and the broader community. The role includes some travel, including periodic travel to Italy.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Building on more than five decades of mission-driven work, the next Executive Director will guide the Centre into its next phase of development.

Strengthening philanthropic support
Expanding fundraising efforts and cultivating new donors while maintaining strong relationships with existing supporters and helping position the Centre for potential future campaign initiatives that could support long-term campus and programmatic development.

Supporting long-term financial sustainability
Ensuring responsible stewardship of resources while enhancing systems and processes that support effective operations.

Enhancing organizational effectiveness
Providing clear leadership to staff while enhancing systems and processes that support effective operations.

Advancing the Centre’s mission and Catholic identity
Ensuring programs remain aligned with the Centre’s spiritual purpose and the teachings associated with Padre Pio.

Expanding awareness and engagement
Increasing awareness of the Centre’s work among Catholic communities and supporters across the United States.

Positioning the Centre for the future
Working with the Board to guide long-term planning for the Centre’s campus, programs, and institutional growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and Governance
• Implement organizational strategy in partnership with the Board of Directors.
• Provide regular operational and financial reporting to the Board.
• Maintain a collaborative relationship with the Bishop and leadership of the Diocese of
Allentown.

Financial and Operational Management
• Develop and manage the Centre’s annual operating budget of approximately $3 million.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and sound financial practices.
• Oversee human resources including hiring,supervision, and performance evaluation of
staff.

Development and External Relations
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors and benefactors.
• Oversee communications and outreach efforts that advance the Centre’s mission.
• Represent the Centre through public speaking, conferences, and pilgrimages nationally and internationally.

Organizational Leadership
• Oversee and support a staff team of approximately 18 employees.
• Foster a collaborative organizational culture grounded in professionalism and mission
alignment.
• Ensure visitors and pilgrims experience the welcoming spirit central to the Centre’s identity.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The National Centre for Padre Pio seeks a mission-driven leader who combines strong nonprofit management skills with a genuine appreciation for the Centre’s Catholic identity and devotional mission. The successful candidate will bring experience leading organizations or programs that rely on strong relationships, sound operational management, and philanthropic support.

Key attributes include:
• Commitment to the Catholic faith and respect for the spiritual legacy of Padre Pio.
• Ten or more years of leadership experience in a Catholic organization, nonprofit institution, or comparable environment.
• Demonstrated success building relationships with donors and cultivating philanthropic support.
• Strong financial and operational management skills, including experience overseeing budgets and staff.
• The ability to lead and motivate teams while fostering a professional and collaborative work environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and comfort serving as a public representative for the organization.
• A bachelor’s degree is required; advanced education or relevant certifications are preferred.

LOCATION
The National Centre for Padre Pio is located in Barto, Pennsylvania, within Berks County and the Diocese of Allentown. The Centre sits in a rural setting in southeastern Pennsylvania while remaining within driving distance of several regional cities. Communities throughout Berks, Montgomery, Lehigh, and Chester counties offer a range of residential options, from small towns and farmland to suburban communities with access to schools, healthcare systems, and regional amenities.

Within approximately an hour’s drive are Allentown, Reading, and portions of the Philadelphia metropolitan area, providing access to universities, cultural institutions, and major healthcare providers. The broader region is known for historic towns, parks, and natural areas.

For candidates considering relocation, the area offers the opportunity to live and work in a peaceful countryside environment while remaining connected to the professional and cultural resources of southeastern Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but candidates are encouraged to apply before April 24, 2026. To be considered, candidates should submit a statement of interest and CV to The Angeletti Group at search@ theangelettigroup.com.

Nominations and confidential inquiries can be made to:
Suzanne Albin
The Angeletti Group
(973) 540-1400
[email protected]

Salary commensurate with experience and will range from $120,000 - $140,000.