Vice President of Finance and Accounting

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America • Chicago, IL

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Vice President of Finance & Accounting is a key member of the Mission Investment Fund (MIF) leadership team, responsible for 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. The position 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. It requires working 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 50 United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States.

MIF is a financial ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). It supports congregations and church-affiliated ministries with financing for building projects and offers socially responsible investment products. The ELCA Federal Credit Union, a financial ministry partner of MIF, offers financial products and services within a not-for-profit cooperative structure. The position oversees a team comprising a Director of Accounting and, indirectly, a Manager of Accounting, Senior Accountant, Staff Accountant, and Accounting Clerk.

The role requires minimal overnight domestic travel by plane, car, or van. A valid driver’s license is preferred. While performing the job, the employee regularly talks and hears, uses hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone, and sits for long periods. The employee may be required to lift boxes of materials. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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 conduct, confidentiality, and legal and regulatory compliance.
• Strategic orientation, analytical rigor, problem-solving skills, and sound judgment, including the ability to interpret data, evaluate risk, make business decisions, and create 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.
• Demonstrated ability to build cohesion, accountability, and productivity within teams.
• Appreciation for the mission, vision, and values of MIF and the ELCA.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism.
• Proficiency with financial systems, reporting and analytics platforms, and business intelligence and analytics tools.
• Computer knowledge sufficient to operate a Windows computer, follow basic troubleshooting instructions, use software applications efficiently, learn new software, follow processes, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Candidates must reside within the 50 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 about the financial implications of business decisions, and recommend ways to enhance 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.
• Lead asset-liability management objectives, structure, and implementation; own assigned ALM priorities and risks.
• Monitor and report on capital structure, asset quality, liquidity, margins, earnings performance, and related 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 annual budgeting and interim forecasting.
• Analyze financial performance and key performance indicators, and report on performance, opportunities, risks, and resource allocations.
• Oversee accounting operations and 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 risk-management frameworks and partner with compliance, risk, and operational leaders to address emerging risks.
• Manage relationships with external and internal auditors and coordinate financial statement audits.
• 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; foster accountability, transparency, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Establish staff performance expectations and measurable goals, and promote cross-functional collaboration.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employer-paid health premiums for employees.
• Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
• Health savings account (HSA) 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 employee’s start date.

What This Job Offers

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