Description:
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,600 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of approximately 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service \& Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation. We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries: The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union.
About the position
The Development team within the Office of the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA Churchwide Organization is responsible for engaging donor members from across the ELCA ecology. Through Congregational and Synod Support, Annual Giving, Planned Giving and the Development Services team, the Development team seeks to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors of all kinds as they support the variety of ministries the ELCA does as church together.
This position serves as the executive for Development in the Office of the Presiding Bishop of the churchwide organization. This position serves as the chief development officer for the churchwide organization, ensuring cohesive and comprehensive strategies for engaging all donors along the lifecycle of ELCA giving – stewardship, mission support, congregational generosity, institutional, individual giving (major, mid\-level, and annual), and planned giving. This position also oversees the Churchwide Organization’s data management through the CRM and gift processing as well as the resource and call center. This position is the primary representative for resource generation for the organization, serving on leadership tables for the organization as well as an advisor to legislative boards.
*This is a full\-time, regular, exempt, Chicago\-based/hybrid position. This position has responsibilities that will require being in the office a minimum of 2 days/week and more as needed.*
*The eligibility of a candidate for remote or hybrid 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.*
1\. Oversees the development work of the ELCA churchwide organization, including annual and long\-term planning for resource development for the organization across all revenue channels. Represent Development at leadership and in leadership decision\-making.
2\. Interprets and implements policies established by Church Council and other legislative bodies of the ELCA.
3\. Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of all operations; develops and maintains organizational structure and effective personnel; and provides for the responsible management of fiscal resources under its management.
4\. Oversee the development of coordinated fundraising strategies for the various programs of the churchwide organization including Where Needed Most, Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger and other priorities determined in consultation with Church Council, Churchwide Assembly, or the Administrative Team of the Churchwide Organization.
5\. Carry a small portfolio of established transformational donors to the ELCA Churchwide Organization.
6\. Support the stewardship efforts of this church through maintaining or growing Mission Support income and developing interactive communications that lead to more engaged members who understand the identity of the ELCA, participate in its programs, and share generously their financial resources.
7\. Ensure effective maintenance and use of constituent database, leveraging its capacity to realize communication, fund\-raising, and marketing potential. Oversee call center and resource fulfillment.
8\. Motivate and lead a high\-performance management team of 5 direct reports; attract, recruit, and retain a qualified and diverse staff.
9\. Develop and foster close working relationships and provide guidance and support to churchwide units, congregations, synods, regions, and related institutions on matters of resource development, while providing a consistent message regarding the vision and mission of this church.
10\. Other duties as assigned.
Supervision
1\. Senior Director, Development Services
2\. Senior Director, Mission Support
3\. Senior Director, Annual Giving
4\. Senior Director, Planned Giving
5\. Synod Generosity Director, Northern Illinois Synod
6\. Executive Assistant
7\. 45 in\-direct reports.
Requirements:
1\. 10\+ years of experience in development related work, senior leadership involving a significant number of staff and oversight of key organizational functions and initiatives. Master’s degree in business administration or similar field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2\. Demonstrated ability to lead a large, diverse team; strong administrative, organizational, management, partnership\-building skills; a strategic thinker; ability to conceptualize, analyze and synthesize ideas.
3\. Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative relationships with different areas of this church, such as other churchwide units, bishops of the church, and congregational leaders.
4\. Extensive experience with major gifts, donor stewardship, annual giving, capital campaigns, and planned giving. Experience with gifting vehicles including annuities, trusts, donor advised funds and endowments.
5\. Broad, functional experience in operations management, including marketing communications, publications, digital media, and data analytics.
6\. Experience in successfully managing board and committee relations as well as other volunteer tables.
7\. Exceptional interpersonal skills; proven ability to motivate and inspire others to achieve goals and to communicate effectively and clearly.
8\. Understanding of and commitment to the mission of the ELCA; in\-depth knowledge of church structure, theology, polity, and trends.
9\. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti\-racism.
10\. Membership in an ELCA congregation or worshipping community is required.
11\. 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.
Physical
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, be visible on camera, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Travel
Considerable travel. Position requires considerable overnight, domestic travel by plane, car. Valid driver’s license preferred. This position requires travel to off\-site locations for a variety of meetings and donor visits.
Benefits
The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA’s, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer a generous paid time\-off policy including 17 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date.
Contact
If you have questions about this job or your application, please complete this form to contact Human Resources.
Salary
Commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience.