Senior Director, Building Resilient Communities

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America • Chicago, IL

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Building Resilient Communities (BRC) directs the BRC team within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Service and Justice home area. The role provides leadership for the ELCA’s work with global companions in relief, sustainable development, and related ministries, and reports to the Executive Director for Service and Justice. It plans strategically for effective ELCA and Service and Justice engagement in international development and disaster response, coordinating churchwide efforts with domestic and international partners.

The position supervises a team responsible for planning, monitoring, and evaluation; managing ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response funds and grants; coordinating international disaster and emergency responses; supporting international health ministries; and overseeing the ELCA AMMPARO strategy. The Senior Director also represents the ELCA at governance and planning tables of related organizations and participates in the Service and Justice home area Executive Committee.

This is a full-time, regular, exempt, churchwide employee position based in Chicago, Illinois, with a hybrid arrangement. The employee is expected to work at the Lutheran Center at least two days each week and more as needed. Candidates must reside in the United States or District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. The role involves some domestic and international overnight travel, up to approximately 10% or five weeks per year.

Requirements

• At least 9 years of relevant experience in development, social sciences, nonprofit work, emergency response, and/or sustainable development.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong understanding and appreciation of the ELCA’s vision, values, goals, purpose, polity, and theology.
• Understanding of Lutheran and ecumenical partners working in development and humanitarian response, and experience with cross-cultural engagement in developing countries.
• Experience in business administration, strategic planning, and communication.
• Strong financial, budgeting, staff supervision, and management skills, including the ability to supervise a diverse staff and oversee and contribute to complex program development and implementation systems.
• Ability to develop, manage, and interpret effective development and disaster response programs aligned with ELCA core values, including the accompaniment model for mission.
• Ability to apply sound principles of international humanitarian response and sustainable development to programs suited to diverse global contexts and faith-based organizations.
• Understanding of decision-making dynamics in complex, multicultural church and NGO systems; ability to listen to global companions, analyze, and plan strategically.
• Ability to engage effectively in cross-cultural program planning, decision-making, and team building in the United States and developing countries.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism.
• Computer skills sufficient to operate a Windows computer, follow basic troubleshooting instructions, use software applications efficiently, learn new software, follow processes, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook.
• Ability to use accounting and budgeting software and other complex systems and data.
• Ability to talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone; ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Must reside within the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States.
• Valid passport required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with international financial management.
• Valid driver’s license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic visioning and planning, develop budgets, set direction, and supervise a large team.
• Develop, implement, and oversee programs with ELCA companion churches, working with the Service and Justice Area Desks.
• Develop, implement, and oversee programs with the Lutheran World Federation, ACT Alliance, Church World Service, Lutheran World Relief, and other related agencies.
• Oversee program development, implementation, and communication for Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, and AMMPARO, including education and networks.
• Coordinate programs with Lutheran Services in America, social ministry organizations, and ecumenical partners.
• Coordinate World Hunger program communication with other leaders and home areas in the churchwide organization.
• Support the Executive Director on disaster response, sustainable development, and Service and Justice matters.
• Speak publicly at ELCA events, synods, and congregations about mission and ministry.
• Supervise BRC directors, a coordinator, and short-term contractors as needed.
• Represent the ELCA at governance and planning tables of organizations engaged in international relief and development.
• Participate in the Executive Committee of the Service and Justice home area.
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• Employer-paid health premiums for employees.
• Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Health savings account with an employer contribution.
• Life insurance.
• Substantial employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan; no match required.
• Generous paid time-off policy.
• 17 paid holidays.
• Benefits commence on the start date.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior