Faith-Based Coach

About Bricks & Mortals

Bricks & Mortals is a nonprofit membership organization that helps faith-based organizations access the knowledge, relationships, resources, and expertise they need to steward their real estate in service of their missions and communities. We support congregations of all denominations that are facing changing needs, aging properties, financial pressures, and opportunities to reimagine how sacred spaces can serve the public good.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a thoughtful, collaborative Faith-Based Coach to guide participating congregations through the Sustainable Solutions for Sacred Sites (S4) program. S4 helps congregations navigate the complex relationship between mission, property, and long-term sustainability in New York. The initiative combines cohort-based learning, peer exchange, coaching, expert training, and technical assistance. We help faith leaders explore options for their buildings and develop practical next steps.

Building on previous S4 cohorts and resources, Bricks & Mortals will launch a new phase of the program in 2027. The Coach will provide consistent, relationship-centered guidance to clergy and lay leaders, helping congregations reflect on their values, evaluate opportunities and constraints, and develop realistic next steps for their sacred spaces. The Coach will collaborate with program leadership, fellow coaches, and technical-assistance providers while supporting congregational ownership of decisions. The majority of meetings between coaches and congregations may take place virtually or in-person in New York City, with a minimum of two in-person meetings per year.

Key Responsibilities

Congregational Coaching and Facilitation

• Build trusting, supportive relationships with up to 5 congregations and their clergy and lay leaders, plus a monthly affinity group.
• Facilitate monthly coaching conversations that help congregations clarify mission, values, community priorities, property challenges, and opportunities.
• Guide congregational teams through reflection, shared decision-making, and the development of practical, mission-aligned property action plans.
• Adapt coaching approaches to the needs, readiness, and religious traditions of each congregation, without prescribing predetermined solutions.
• Support congregations in identifying next steps, maintaining momentum, and following through on commitments between cohort sessions.

Cohort Learning and Technical Assistance

• Participate in cohort learning activities and reinforce key concepts through individual or small-group coaching.
• Work with program staff to identify congregational needs and connect participants with relevant technical-assistance providers and subject-matter experts.
• Help congregations prepare questions and materials for consultations with real estate, financial, legal, planning, or other specialists, as appropriate.
• Attend and contribute to two in-person convenings each year. These convenings will be all-day gatherings in New York City.
• Coordinate with other coaches and program staff to share learning, troubleshoot challenges, and support a consistent participant experience.

Documentation, Learning, and Evaluation

• Maintain concise, timely notes on coaching sessions, agreed-upon next steps, and requests for support, following program privacy and documentation practices.
• Provide monthly progress updates to program leadership and flag barriers, emerging needs, or opportunities for additional assistance.
• Contribute observations and participant feedback to program evaluation, learning, and refinement.
• Use S4 tools and resources, including the S4 Toolkit, to support congregational learning and planning.

Desired Qualifications

This position draws on skills and experience in facilitation, coaching, community engagement, and collaborative problem-solving. We welcome applicants with varied professional and educational paths.

• Experience coaching, facilitating, advising, or accompanying faith communities or other mission-driven groups through organizational change or complex decisions.
• Strong listening, relationship-building, and group facilitation skills; ability to navigate sensitive conversations and differing perspectives.
• Ability to work respectfully across religious traditions and with diverse clergy and lay leadership teams.
• Strong organization, follow-through, and communication skills, including comfort working independently and coordinating remotely.
• Attention to detail for coaching notes, monthly meeting follow-ups, and support in between meetings.
• Ability to distinguish coaching and facilitation from specialized legal, financial, architectural, or real estate advice, and to make appropriate referrals.
• Spanish-language proficiency is a plus, but not required.

We welcome applicants with varied professional and educational paths, but experience working with faith-based organizations or leaders is highly desirable.

Details

The coach will work with five different congregations from approximately January 2027 to June 2028. This work will include monthly meetings and applying a pre-designed cohort coaching curriculum. The program requires monthly meetings with each church and affinity group, monthly check-in meetings with Bricks & Mortals leadership, and two in-person convenings in early March 2027 and early June 2028. Work will average approximately 10-15 hours a month. Beginning in January 2028, the coach may have the opportunity to expand work to additional congregations.

English language fluency required; Spanish is a bonus.