Executive Director, The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Program

Commissioned by Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota, The Saint John’s Bible is the first handwritten illuminated Bible since the advent of the printing press nearly 500 years ago.  At more than two feet tall and nearly three feet wide, The Saint John’s Bible is a monumental manuscript in the tradition of the great Bibles of the middle ages.  And like its medieval predecessors, The Saint John’s Bible will endure for centuries, even millennia, to come.  The Saint John’s Bible has been highly acclaimed as “America’s Book of Kells” and “the most remarkable artistic undertaking of our time.”

The Heritage Program consists of the limited-edition, full-size reproduction of The Saint John’s Bible.  A work of art in its own right, The Heritage Edition is the most faithful representation of the original handcrafted manuscript.  The best archival-quality paper, fade-resistant permanent inks and metallic foils containing genuine gold, have been used to closely approximate its look and feel.  Each of the nearly 1,150 pages and 160 illuminations has been scrupulously compared to its original counterpart to guarantee accurate reproduction.

The Heritage Edition is offered in the same seven volumes as the original Saint John’s Bible and a special eighth volume of commentary will accompany each set.  The Heritage Edition is limited to 360 full sets.  Each is numbered and includes a certificate of authenticity signed by calligrapher and artistic director Donald Jackson.   As part of The Heritage Program, up to 36 sets will be reserved for benefactors who make a charitable contribution to Saint John’s University to underwrite the creation of the Heritage Edition. 

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Saint John’s University seeks an experienced, charismatic and dynamic leader to serve as the Executive Director of The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Program.  This position is a remarkable opportunity to lead an ambitious effort to create, promote, sell and deliver the finest and most exclusive manuscript reproduction of our time. 

The Executive Director is responsible for all facets of the Heritage Edition, including planning, management, personnel, budgeting, finance, production, research, marketing, sales, fund raising and product fulfillment. 

Bachelor's degree is required.  The candidate we seek will be a strategic thinker and a self-starter with strong leadership and management abilities.  The incumbent will have demonstrated experience at the executive leadership level in marketing and sales for a sizeable business enterprise or in leadership gift fund raising for a non-profit organization, and will have experience formulating and implementing research, marketing and sales strategies.  Candidates must have a comfort level with high net work individuals and the ability to sell (or to seek contributions for) a high end collectible from a discerning affluent sector of the market, and the ability to lead a sales force to do the same.

The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal relations skills and will be an effective communicator, with strong writing and presentation skills and the ability to convey to individuals and audiences the cultural value of manuscripts and the importance of the Benedictine mission of education and cultural preservation. 

Saint John’s University offers a competitive compensation and benefits package.  This is a term appointment anticipated to span three to five years. 

To learn more about Saint John’s University visit our website: www.csbsju.edu and to learn about The Saint John’s Bible visit our website www.saintjohnsbible.org.

Qualified individuals should send in a letter of interest, current resume, copies of transcripts (official transcript(s) required for interview) and list of three references to:

Saint John’s University
Human Resources Office - Position #200806
P.O. Box 7188
Collegeville, MN 56321 or email
employment@csbsju.edu.

Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.

Women and people of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 
Saint John's University is an EEO/AA employer.

Posted: February 7, 2008