Executive Director in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at Sioux Falls Lutheran School

Sioux Falls Lutheran School seeks a faithful, mission-driven Executive Director to serve as the chief executive leader of its Infant–Grade 12 ministry, providing Christ-centered, Scripture-rooted, and confessionally Lutheran leadership in alignment with the doctrine of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The Executive Director advances the mission of “Developing Capable Christian Servant-Leaders in a Complex World: World Ready, Faith Secure” while stewarding the school’s Lutheran identity, strengthening congregational partnership, and ensuring the integration of the Christian faith throughout all programs. This role oversees strategic planning, Board relations, personnel leadership, educational excellence, financial stewardship, enrollment and advancement, and organizational accountability. Candidates must be active LCMS members and demonstrate theological clarity, servant-hearted leadership, strong organizational and financial competence, and the ability to build trust, develop leaders, and uphold SFLS’s core values of Faith, Family, Community, Excellence, and Safety. As stated in the position description, “The Executive Director serves as the chief executive leader… providing missional, spiritual, strategic, and organizational leadership rooted in Holy Scripture and faithful to the doctrine of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)” and must model integrity, prayerful discernment, and a deep commitment to Lutheran education.

Position Title: Executive Director
Reports To: Sioux Falls Lutheran School Board of Education
Directly Supervises: Members of the Leadership Team and other positions identified within the current organizational structure
Status: Full-Time, Twelve-Month
FLSA: Exempt

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive leader of Sioux Falls Lutheran School (Infant–Grade 12), providing missional, spiritual, strategic, and organizational leadership rooted in Holy Scripture and faithful to the doctrine of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). The Executive Director advances SFLS’s mission — Developing Capable Christian Servant-Leaders in a Complex World: World Ready, Faith Secure — while preserving the school’s identity and strengthening its long-term sustainability.

This role requires a leader who understands SFLS’s unique culture: Faith, Family, Community, Excellence, and Safety, and who can steward the school’s growth, strengthen congregational and community linkage, expand visibility, and lead with clarity, courage, collaboration, and servant-hearted conviction.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. MISSION, VISION & LUTHERAN IDENTITY

• Provide Christ-centered leadership grounded in Scripture and faithful to LCMS doctrine, modeling servant leadership, theological clarity, integrity, and prayerful discernment.
• Safeguard and advance SFLS’s mission ensuring the mission, vision, core values, and Board Ends shape priorities, decisions, programs, and culture.
• Articulate a compelling future vision and build shared commitments among the Board, staff, families, congregations, and supporters.
• Promote the integration of the Christian faith throughout the school’s academic, co-curricular, student-life, and operational programs.
• Ensure chapel, faith formation, service, and spiritual care reflect SFLS’s Lutheran identity and involve qualified pastoral and commissioned ministers.
• Cultivate a school culture marked by SFLS’s core values of Faith, Family, Community, Excellence, and Safety.

B. BOARD RELATIONS & POLICY GOVERNANCE

• Serve as the Board’s sole official link to SFLS operations, performance, and conduct.
• Lead within Board-delegated authority, interpreting Ends and Executive Limitations reasonably while honoring responsibilities retained by the Board.
• Remain accountable to the Board for organizational performance, achievement of the Board’s Ends, and compliance with Executive Limitations.
• Keep the Board well-informed through timely, accurate monitoring reports and clear communication about major opportunities, risks, developments, and any policy noncompliance.
• Provide the information, perspectives, and recommendations necessary for informed Board governance while preserving the appropriate distinction between governance and administration.
• Foster the Board relationship marked by clarity, integrity, mutual respect, and recognition of the distinct roles of the Board and Executive Director.

C. STRATEGIC & ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

• Translate Board Ends into clear priorities, strategies, and measurable goals; align people, programs, and resources accordingly.
• Lead strategic and generative planning, providing data, projections, and recommendations that support long-range governance.
• Maintain an effective organizational structure with clear roles, authority, and accountability.
• Evaluate programs, partnerships, and initiatives for mission alignment, sustainability, and effectiveness; recommend Board action when required.
• Anticipate and respond to trends affecting Lutheran education, enrollment, workforce, technology, philanthropy, and regulation.
• Lead organizational change through clear communication, thoughtful planning, and disciplined implementation.
• Use data, research, stakeholder feedback, and professional judgment to inform organizational decisions and continuous improvement.
• Maintain leadership continuity through succession planning, cross-training, and operational redundancy.

D. LEADERSHIP TEAM & PERSONNEL LEADERSHIP

• Build, lead, and develop a cohesive Leadership Team committed to the mission, vision, values, Board Ends, and shared priorities of SFLS.
• Set clear expectations, delegated authority, and accountability for direct reports; equip principals and directors to lead effectively.
• Promote trust, healthy communication, productive conflict, shared problem-solving, and collective responsibility across the Leadership Team.
• Shape and sustain a healthy organizational culture marked by clarity, dignity, accountability, belonging, professional growth, and shared commitment to the mission.
• Maintain effective systems for recruiting, selecting, onboarding, developing, evaluating, supporting, compensating, and retaining qualified faculty and staff.
• Oversee position descriptions to ensure alignment with organizational responsibilities, authority, and expectations.
• Exercise personnel authority appropriately and recommend Divine Calls or contracts requiring Board approval.
• Verify candidates recommended for employment demonstrate the theological alignment, character, professional preparation, certification, and competencies required for their positions.
• Oversee the administration of calls, contracts, background checks, evaluations, personnel records, grievances, and other employment practices are administered in accordance with Board and personnel policies and applicable law.
• Address employee performance concerns and workplace conflict fairly, consistently, promptly, and according to appropriate Scriptural principles.

E. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OVERSIGHT

• Oversee Christ-centered educational and co-curricular programs, ensuring they align with the SFLS mission, vision, values, and Board Ends; are appropriately challenging and regularly reviewed; and meet NLSA and state requirements
• Lead through the Leadership Team, holding them accountable for the quality, effectiveness, alignment, and continuous improvement of the programs.
• Maintain systems to identify and serve students’ academic, developmental, behavioral, social-emotional, and spiritual needs.
• Ensure student admission and continued enrollment decisions reflect the school’s mission, available resources, professional expertise, and capacity to serve students well.
• Advance innovation and program development strengthening student outcomes, advancing the Board’s Ends, and remaining sustainable within the school’s mission and resources.
• Ensure families receive clear, timely, and appropriate information regarding student progress, program expectations, available support, and significant educational decisions.

F. FINANCIAL & OPERATIONAL STEWARDSHIP

• Provide executive leadership for SFLS's financial health, operational effectiveness, and long-term sustainability
• Collaborate with the Finance Director in developing an annual budget derived from multi-year planning, aligned with the Board's Ends and strategic priorities, and presented to the Board for approval.
• Monitor revenue, expenditures, cash flow, enrollment assumptions, financial commitments, and budget performance throughout the fiscal year, providing direction and taking corrective action when necessary.
• Review and monitor the implementation of sound accounting practices, internal controls, financial reporting, audits, purchasing procedures, receivables management, and appropriate safeguards in collaboration with the Finance Director.
• Monitor restricted gifts, endowment funds, and other designated resources to verify compliance with donor intent, policy, and established financial procedures.
• Provide strategic direction for compensation, benefits, staffing commitments, contracts, and other financial obligations to support responsible, competitive, equitable, and sustainable stewardship of resources.
• Guide the management and protection of facilities, technology, equipment, information, and other assets.
• Lead operational programs and services that promote effectiveness, efficiency, financial responsibility, and alignment with the school's mission and Board Ends.
• Assess the financial and operational implications of programs, staffing, partnerships, contracts, and capital needs; provide recommendations for Board decisions.

G. ENROLLMENT, ADVANCEMENT & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Provide executive leadership for enrollment, retention, advancement, marketing, communications, alumni engagement, and community outreach.
• Guide the development and implementation of annual enrollment and retention plans with clear goals, measurable outcomes, and coordinated efforts across programs.
• Hold Principals and Enrollment Directors accountable for understanding enrollment patterns, identifying barriers, strengthening family experience, and supporting at-risk families.
• Guide and monitor efforts to provide prospective families with accurate and compelling information about the mission, programs, student experience, benefits, and outcomes of SFLS, advancing enrollment as both a strategic priority and outreach opportunity.
• Protect and strengthen SFLS’s reputation through clear, consistent, mission-aligned communication.
• Collaborate with the development team to support annual giving, major gifts, grants, endowment growth, legacy giving, campaigns, and donor relationships; promoting fundraising practices that are ethical, coordinated, financially responsible, aligned with donor intent, and evaluated for their impact on affordability, sustainability, and long-term financial health.
• Foster effective collaboration among the Enrollment Director, advancement, communications, academic, student life, and financial teams to align messaging, priorities, and community outreach efforts.
• Provide leadership and recommendations for capital and endowment campaigns authorized by the Board.

H. CONGREGATIONAL & EXTERNAL RELATIONS

• Serve as a visible, trusted ambassador for SFLS within congregations and the broader community.
• Cultivate robust connection and joint ministry with association, supporting, and affiliate congregations via intentional dialogue, active involvement, and collaborative initiatives promoting Christian academic excellence.
• Encourage congregational awareness, participation, prayer, student referrals, financial support, and shared ownership of the ministry of SFLS.
• Build relationships with pastors, congregation leaders, LCMS partners, civic leaders, accrediting bodies, agencies, and community organizations.
• Cultivate partnerships extending the school’s mission, strengthening educational opportunities, supporting families, and connecting students with meaningful service and leadership experiences.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, educational, cultural, and community developments affecting SFLS and advocate appropriately for Lutheran education, Christian schools, school choice, and the interests of the school within applicable legal and policy limitations.
• Ensure agreements and partnerships with external organizations are consistent with the mission, values, governing documents, Board policies, and best interests of SFLS.

I. ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY, COMPLIANCE & RISK

• Ensure SFLS operates in accordance with law, governing documents, Board policy, accreditation, licensing, and contractual obligations.
• Maintain and monitor the school’s accreditation, licensing, tax-exempt status, Recognized Service Organization status, and other institutional standing required to fulfill its mission.
• Maintain and regularly review effective organizational policies, administrative procedures, records, and accountability systems, and take corrective action when needed.
• Protect health, safety, dignity, privacy, and well-being through effective crisis-management, emergency-response, student-safety, child-protection, data security, and continuity plans.
• Identify, evaluate, and address significant legal, financial, operational, reputational, personnel, safety, theological, and institutional risks.
• Ensure appropriate protection of confidential student, family, personnel, donor, financial, and organizational information.
• Report significant compliance concerns, organizational risks, and actual or anticipated violations of Board policy to the Board in a timely manner.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervise and evaluate members of the Leadership Team and other assigned direct reports. Maintain an organizational structure that provides effective supervision, appropriate delegation, clear accountability, and continuity of leadership. The Executive Director retains overall accountability for responsibilities delegated to other leaders and staff.

LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES

The Executive Director is expected to demonstrate:

• Faithful Christian leadership and commitment to Lutheran identity.
• Strategic thinking, sound judgment, and disciplined decision-making.
• Integrity, courage, self-awareness, resilience, and personal accountability.
• Clear, compelling, and transparent communication.
• The ability to build trust, develop leaders, navigate conflict, lead change, and hold others accountable.
• Strong financial, organizational, operational, and relational leadership.

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Pursue ongoing theological, professional, and leadership development appropriate to the position.
• Use feedback, evaluation, reflection, data, and professional learning to strengthen leadership effectiveness and remain informed about developments affecting Lutheran education and SFLS.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Active member in good standing of an LCMS congregation.
• Rostered Minister of Religion in the LCMS or willing to complete the appropriate LCMS colloquy requirements.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Significant leadership experience involving supervision, organizational decision-making, and responsibility for complex programs or operations.
• Demonstrated commitment to Holy Scripture, Lutheran doctrine, Christian education, and the mission of SFLS.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and public-presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead people, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and work effectively within the school’s Policy Governance structure.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in education, educational leadership, organizational leadership, business administration, nonprofit leadership, ministry, or a related field.
• Senior leadership experience in a Lutheran school, Christian school, educational institution, church-related ministry, or comparable nonprofit organization.
• Experience in school administration, financial leadership, enrollment, advancement, fundraising, facilities, strategic planning, or organizational development.
• Classroom teaching or other substantial educational experience.
• Hold, or demonstrate eligibility to secure, South Dakota administrative or educational certification, fulfilling all state mandates within required timeframes.