Chief Operating Officer

Missouri Synod•St. Louis, MO

14d

About The Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as the senior executive responsible for the oversight, coordination, and integration of the organization’s operational, administrative, financial, and compliance functions. Acting on behalf of the Board of Directors and in coordination with the President, the COO ensures that all organizational activities are executed efficiently, effectively, accountably, and in alignment with the Synod’s mission, governing policies, and strategic priorities. The COO provides leadership across areas of corporate services, financial management, human resources, legal compliance, and organizational infrastructure.

Requirements

Must, as an officer of the Synod, be a member of a member congregation of the Synod.
Must be a layperson (not an ordained or commissioned minister).
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or related field, required.
Minimum 10 years of executive leadership experience in operations, finance, or general management.
Demonstrated experience leading complex organizations and working with boards.
Strategic thinking and execution
Financial acumen and stewardship
Operational excellence
Governance and compliance expertise
Leadership and team development
Analytical and problem-solving skills
Communication and relationship building
Integrity and ethical leadership
Ability to drive positive change while navigating ambiguity and complex authority structures

Nice To Haves

MBA, CPA, or other advanced/professional designation, preferred.
Experience in nonprofit or faith-based organizations, preferred.
Experience in governance-driven or multi-entity organizations, preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as chief operating executive responsible for implementing Board decisions and organizational strategy for business, financial, legal, and administrative operations of the corporate Synod.
Advise and support the Board of Directors and President on operational and financial matters.
Prepare Board agendas, reports, and materials in coordination with leadership.
Ensure compliance with governing documents (Constitution, Bylaws, policies, and civil law).
Maintain communication between Board and executive leadership.
Serve, unless the board designates otherwise, on the following corporate entity boards: Concordia Plan Services, Lutheran Church Extension Fund, LCMS Foundation, Concordia Publishing House, Concordia University System, and on the investment committee of the Concordia Plans and Concordia Plan Services.
Serve on the following international Board(s)/Committee(s): China Evangelical Lutheran Church – Legal Corporation (CELC-LC).
Serve on the Commission on Handbook.
Direct supervision of ~4 executives and an administrator, indirect of 7–9 director/managers and 40–114 staff in an organization with headcount of 191 domestic, 103 international (and responsibilities with regard to universities, seminaries, entities, and agencies outside corporate Synod).
Direct and coordinate, principally through executives and directors, day-to-day operations of the organization.
Lead enterprise-wide operational planning aligned with strategic goals.
Ensure collaboration across departments, entities, and mission units related to the business, financial, legal, and administrative operations of corporate Synod.
Improve organizational efficiency, systems, and service delivery.
Oversee facilities, event planning, procurement, and administrative services.
Serve as convention manager and be responsible to the President of Synod as outlined in Bylaw 3.1.9.
Oversee all financial functions including accounting, budgeting, treasury, audit, and financial reporting.
Serve as Treasurer responsible for custody, disbursement, and reporting of funds.
Lead budgeting process and monitor financial performance against plan.
Provide financial forecasting, analysis, and strategic recommendations.
Advise leadership on financial implications of programs, investments, and contracts.
Ensure strong internal controls, audit processes, and regulatory compliance.
Manage banking relationships, investments, and risk management programs.
Serve as corporate compliance officer.
Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory, and governance standards.
Oversee corporate policies, contracts, and agreements.
Liaise with legal counsel and manage legal matters and risks.
Monitor and address compliance issues across the organization.
Lead long-range planning processes and execution of strategic initiatives.
Align operational and financial plans with mission priorities.
Evaluate organizational performance and implement continuous improvement.
Foster innovation, efficiency, and cross-functional collaboration.
Provide executive oversight of key functional leaders (finance, HR, operations, etc.).
Build and lead high-performing teams across administrative and financial functions.
Support leadership development and succession planning.
Promote organizational culture rooted in integrity, accountability, and collaboration.
Represent the BOD in relation to, and strengthen the BOD’s relationship with, synodwide corporate entities, Concordia Plan Services, and Synod’s seminaries, universities, and districts as to their business, property, and legal aspects.
Serve as the board’s liaison to Synod boards, commissions, council, committees, agencies, partner organizations, and affiliates.
Communicate clearly and effectively organizational performance, priorities, and impact, especially as relates to support of the Synod’s unrestricted support through the districts.
Direct oversight of finance, accounting, audit, HR, operations, and administrative functions, as well as non-theological, non-messaging aspects of communications and fundraising.
Indirect leadership for business, financial, legal, and administrative operations of program areas.