Senior Director, Service and Justice Operations

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America•Chicago, IL

1h•$103,854 - $155,771•Hybrid

About The Position

This position will be a change champion focused on excellence in effectiveness, efficiency and innovation with Service and Justice teams and in coordination with other units. This position, in close collaboration with the executive director, will be responsible for providing operational oversight and leadership for the day-to-day activities of SJ including: strategic planning, goal setting, monitoring, evaluating and reporting; unit personnel and staffing in partnership with Human Resources; liaise with other staff/teams/unit on operations including Information Technology, Office of the Treasurer (budget and finance), Innovations, Christian Community and Leadership and Human Resources; supports the unit budget management in partnership with the finance director; and serves as back-up supervisor when needed. Facilitates the unit’s work relating to the ELCA Church Council, Churchwide Assembly, and the Conference of Bishops. This position works closely on developing collaborative strategies, in partnership with Office of the Presiding Bishop, with ecumenical partners and related organizations to work toward a more faithful, just and whole world. The person represents the unit on behalf of the Executive Director when needed. This is a full time, regular, exempt, Chicago-based position. This position has responsibilities that will require being in the office a minimum of 2 days each week and more as needed. The eligibility of a candidate for positions may depend on the residency of the candidate, and the budget for the role, including salary or pay, insurance coverage, and/or tax burden. Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

Requirements

9+ years’ experience in program leadership, preferably in a nonprofit or social ministry setting. Experience in a non-profit and/or social ministry setting preferred. Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience. ELCA rostered minister or lay leader preferred.
Experience with oversight of a large, complex budgets, and strategic planning.
Ability to drive growth, inspiration and innovation in an organization; proven ability to work effectively.
Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative relationships with different areas of this church, such as other churchwide units, bishops of the church, and congregational leaders.
Ability to understand and commit to the vision, and mission of the ELCA, ability to articulate and operate within the accompaniment theology for mission, and in-depth knowledge of international and national church issues and trends.
Outstanding organizational skills, strategic agility and flexibility, disciplined, able to meet deadlines, self-starter, able to work under the pressure of demanding priorities and deadlines.
Experience in change management and leadership for alignment of teams to mission.
Appreciation for the mission, vision, and values of the ELCA.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism.
Active membership in an ELCA congregation or worshipping community.
Minimum Technical Competency: Computer knowledge that enables you to operate a Windows Computer and follow basic troubleshooting instructions. Software skills to efficiently use computer programs and applications. Ability to leverage computer knowledge and software skills to understand new software, follow process, and identify opportunities for improvement. Experience using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc.) preferred.

Nice To Haves

Valid driver’s license preferred.
U.S. passport required.

Responsibilities

Facilitate the implementation of the long-term and short-term strategies for the unit; oversee and monitor progress for unit responsibilities in the CWO, support the executive director in overseeing strategic deployment of human, financial and information resources for the Service and Justice unit.
Oversee, in coordination with the executive director, senior leadership and finance partners, an annual budget in alignment with Service and Justice strategies and program areas across the unit. Provide analysis of programs and budgets, align allocation of restricted and unrestricted funds, evaluate staff positions, and monitor endowments and restricted funds.
Represent the unit at the organization-wide level and direct the activities of the unit in coordination with the executive director and handle time-specific responsibilities assigned by the executive director.
Lead and inspire internal communications across teams and coordinate through CWO communications the Service and Justice stories of impact.
Other duties as assigned.