Senior Vice President of Business Development and Sales in CHICAGO, Illinois at Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

About the ELCA

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,700 worshipping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). With a vision to live in a world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ makes for all people and creation, the ELCA strives to be a welcoming, thriving, and connected church that introduces people to Jesus so they can discover community, justice, and love.

The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of 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 Mission Investment Fund

The Mission Investment Fund (MIF), a financial ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), supports the establishment and growth of congregations and other church-affiliated ministries by providing financing for building projects. MIF also offers socially responsible investment products to both individuals and ministries, the proceeds of which fund the loan program and provide investors with financial returns.

The ELCA Federal Credit Union, a financial ministry partner of the Mission Investment Fund, offers financial products and services to members, pastors, congregations, synods, affiliated ministries, and their employees. The portfolio of products includes low-cost loans, deposit accounts, credit cards, and other solutions within a not-for-profit, cooperative structure.

Organizational Values

MIF's values are rooted in Christian faith, Lutheran traditions, and our identity as a ministry of the ELCA: Integrity, Customer Focus, Inclusion and Diversity, Faithful Stewardship, Courage and Openness to Change.

At MIF, your work directly funds the building of new churches, the renovation of community centers, and the expansion of social services across the country. We offer a competitive executive benefits package, a culture of inclusivity and belonging, and the opportunity to lead at the intersection of faith and finance.

About the position

The Senior Vice President of Business Development and Sales is the primary senior leader responsible for setting direction, developing market opportunities, and driving growth of MIF’s commercial loan and the ELCA Federal Credit Union’s consumer loan portfolios. This role is also responsible for growth of deposit portfolios in line with liquidity needs.

Responsible for: Strategic Leadership and Growth, Business Development and Relationship Management, Operational Excellence, and Team Management.

Supervisor Structure

1. Vice President of ELCA Federal Credit Union

2. Senior Director of Sales

This is a full-time, exempt, Chicago-based, hybrid position. This position has responsibilities that will require being in the office a few days each week. This position has responsibilities that will require being in the office on a weekly basis. This could mean 2-3 days most weeks and possibly more days when meetings and other events are happening that this position supports.

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.

Portfolio Strategy: Develop and execute growth strategies for commercial and consumer lending portfolios, including emerging market opportunities within the ELCA ecosystem (congregations, synods, social ministry organizations, affiliated institutions) and with ecumenical partners. Establish and institute ongoing strategies for managing deposit portfolio growth in line with loan funding and liquidity needs. (Top priority)

Strategic Relationships: Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with key mission partners across churchwide, synods, ELCA-related ministries and ecumenical partners. Pursue and lead partnership opportunities with other financial ministries and industry collaborators to create holistic capital solutions.

Sales Oversight: Oversee commercial and consumer sales functions to identify and convert lending and deposit opportunities. Establish and monitor key performance indicators for sales pipeline and portfolio management. Partner cross-functionally with applicable risk owners to ensure growth remains within the organization’s risk appetite and regulatory requirements. Report performance and impact regularly to executives, governance bodies and other key stakeholders.

Product Innovation: Lead and steward the organization’s strategy and process to maintain financial solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers and align with strategic priorities. This includes developing new, monitoring existing, and refining/sunsetting product and service sets.

Departmental Coordination: Maintain strong communication and collaboration channels with Marketing, Operations (Lending, Deposits) and other key internal partners to ensure seamless, efficient customer journey and experience priorities.

Mentorship: Foster a culture of excellence, professional development, and mission-focus within the sales function.

Other duties as assigned

1. Knowledge/Experience: Minimum of 10 years of relevant progressive experience in commercial lending, sales/business development or financial services leadership. Experience with Church Extension Funds (CEFs) or Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) is highly preferred.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. MBA or advanced financial certification (e.g., RMA, CFA) is preferred.

2. Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to create and execute strategy in guiding an organization toward long-term success while managing short-term goals

3. Sales Orientation: Demonstrated customer-first commitment, building lasting customer relationships, creating outstanding customer experiences, and identifying/converting prospects

4. Communication: Exceptional verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inform, influence and engage internal and external stakeholders at all levels in both small group and public speaking settings.

5. Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to create organizational success through partnership with internal and external stakeholders.

6. Data-Driven Decision Making: Demonstrated ability to synthesize data, derive insights, and integrate them into strategic direction, serve as feedback to inform approach, and to craft compelling arguments for various audiences.

7. Executive Presence: Highest level of professionalism, integrity, service-orientation and commitment to confidentiality. Proven ability to work with a diverse range of members, staff, board members and constituents/stakeholders in a flexible and collaborative manner.

8. Cultural Competency: Regular practice of working effectively across diverse populations of staff, customers, leaders and key constituents/stakeholders. Working understanding of the polity, language, and nuances of the ELCA to effectively navigate synodical and congregational dynamics. Appreciation for the mission, vision, values, and goals of the Mission Investment Fund, The ELCA Federal Credit Union and the ELCA. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism.

9. Minimum Technical Competency: High level efficiency with accounting software. 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. Advanced experience using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc.) required. Knowledge of Wordpress, advocacy database systems, graphic design platforms and Zoom Webinar a plus.

Physical

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel

Considerable Travel: up to 25% - approximately 12 weeks This position requires some domestic travel.

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 11 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.