Vice President of Finance and Accounting

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America • Chicago, IL

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Vice President of Finance and Accounting is a key member of the Mission Investment Fund (MIF) leadership team, providing strategic financial leadership, operational oversight, and fiduciary stewardship. The role supports the organization’s financial strength and stability and its mission, partnering with executive leadership, governance boards, auditors, staff, and other stakeholders. It leads financial planning and analysis, asset-liability management, treasury, and investment management activities, and oversees accounting operations.

This is a full-time, regular, exempt, Chicago-based hybrid position. The employee is expected to work in the office weekly, typically two to three days most weeks and potentially more often for meetings and other events. Candidates must reside in one of the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. The position involves minimal overnight domestic travel by plane, car, or van. A valid driver’s license is preferred.

The role directly supervises the Director of Accounting and indirectly supervises the Manager of Accounting, Senior Accountant, Staff Accountant, and Accounting Clerk. The ELCA describes its benefits package as including employer-paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, a health savings account with an employer contribution, life insurance, a substantial employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan, and generous paid time off including 11 paid holidays. Benefits commence on the employee’s start date.

The salary range is $190,091.20–$285,147.20, commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience. Employees whose duties require access to MIF banking systems must consent to the release of personal information needed to establish credentials and approved security profiles; employment offers are contingent on signing that release. The organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics. As a religious organization, it reserves the right, where legally permitted, to employ individuals who share and support its religious beliefs, mission, and values.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of progressive finance and accounting leadership experience.
• At least 3 years of senior leadership experience.
• Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, finance, or economics, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated integrity and commitment to ethical operations, confidentiality, and legal and regulatory compliance.
• Strategic orientation, analytical rigor, problem-solving skills, sound judgment, and ability to interpret data, evaluate risk, make business decisions, and develop actionable strategies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present financial matters to financial and non-financial audiences.
• Technical knowledge of GAAP, banking frameworks and processes, and internal control design and effectiveness.
• Ability to build cohesion, accountability, and productivity within teams.
• Appreciation for the Mission Investment Fund and ELCA mission, vision, and values.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism.
• Proficiency with financial systems, reporting and analytics platforms, and business intelligence and analytics tools.
• 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.
• Must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with a bank, credit union, CDFI, or regulated financial services organization.
• Nonprofit experience.
• Master’s degree in finance, business administration, accounting, or a related field.
• CPA, CFA, or similar designation.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute financial strategies supporting the organization’s mission, strategic direction, and long-term sustainability.
• Advise executive leadership and governance bodies on the financial implications of business decisions and recommend actions to improve financial performance.
• Monitor industry trends, economic conditions, and regulatory developments affecting the organization.
• Oversee the formulation and administration of financial policies.
• Oversee cash management, liquidity planning, and capital management activities.
• Engage in the organization’s asset-liability management objectives and implementation; own assigned ALM priorities and risks.
• Monitor and report on capital structure, asset quality, liquidity, margins, earnings performance, and related financial trends.
• Ensure appropriate asset and liability valuation methodologies, sources, and tools.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on investment and funding strategies.
• Lead financial forecasting, scenario planning, and long-range financial modeling.
• Oversee the annual budgeting process and interim forecasting activities.
• Analyze financial performance and key performance indicators; report on performance, opportunities, risks, and resource allocation to executives and functional leaders.
• Oversee accounting operations and maintain effective internal controls to prevent fraud, ensure data integrity, and safeguard organizational assets.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial recording and reporting in accordance with GAAP and applicable regulatory and tax requirements.
• Ensure financial systems operate effectively and efficiently.
• Ensure compliance with applicable financial, accounting, and regulatory requirements; oversee regulatory filings and required financial reports.
• Design and implement effective risk-management frameworks and partner with compliance, risk, and operational leaders on emerging risks.
• Manage relationships with external and internal auditors and oversee financial statement audit coordination.
• Oversee preparation and filing of applicable customer and organizational state and federal filings.
• Ensure timely remediation of audit findings and recommendations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team; establish performance expectations and measurable staff goals.
• Foster accountability, transparency, continuous improvement, professional growth, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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, including 11 paid holidays.
• Benefits commence on the start date.

What This Job Offers

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