Senior Director, Service and Operations

This posting will close November 2, 2026, at 11:00 pm central time.

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.

Through the Service and Justice (SJ) unit, the ELCA Churchwide Organization fosters and facilitates this church’s engagement in service and promotes efforts to call and act for justice. Its work includes engaging in mission, service, and justice in accompaniment with churches and organizations in other countries; engaging with communities, coalitions and networks, congregations, and synods in service and justice work within the territorial jurisdiction of this church;

and providing guidance to members on matters of social justice.

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…