Description

About the ELCA 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states, Caribbean, and 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 position  

Strategic Communications is a team within the Office of the Presiding Bishop and is responsible for planning and implementing effective internal and external communications, public relations, video production, marketing, social and other online strategies for the churchwide expression of the ELCA. 

The Content team within Strategic Communications is responsible for creating a unified storytelling platform for the ELCA through print and digital channels.

This position develops, manages, and oversees planning and implementation of strategies that support overall churchwide organization communications needs. This includes the development and continuing enhancement of a wide range of communications channels, tactics, and products that:

· strengthen members’ identity and engagement with the mission, teachings, and work of the 

entire church.

· share stories and voices that inform, inspire, and create connection.

· encourage financial and other support of churchwide ministries.

· support the ELCA’s public advocacy and interpret to the wider public the church’s distinctive 

witness to the Gospel of Christ.

This position supervises and leads the team in engaging people across the church and beyond through print and digital channels including, public relations, marketing, social media, websites, video production, events, and internal and external communications. This role also works with leadership on crisis communications for all three expressions and serves as the Executive Producer for the Churchwide Assembly, our largest business meeting that happens every three years.

This is a full-time, regular, Chicago-based hybrid position. This position's responsibilities will require time in the Lutheran Center office located in Chicago as needed. 

Candidates for this remote 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. Directs communications planning and development of channels and products. Leads in the development, cohesion and integrated collaboration of Strategic Communications staff and work groups.

2. Responsible for the integrity of the ELCA’s brand identity and standards.

3. Develops messaging strategies and support for the ELCA and the Presiding Bishop. 

4. Develops, implements, and ensures compliance with communications policies and procedures (in consultation with IT and leadership) 

5. Assists in managing crisis communications, in collaboration with ELCA leadership and legal counsel.

6. Leads in the development, promotion, and growth of an ELCA-wide interactive online community.

7. Counsels home areas/executive leadership and Human Resources on internal communications.

8. Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

1. Director, Content Strategy

2. Director, Member Communications Strategy

3. Public Relations Manager

4. Manager, Member Communications Strategy

5. Engagement Strategist

6. Video Production Managers (2)

Requirements

1. 9 years of experience in communications, journalism, or similar field, preferably nonprofit or religious organizations. Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

2. Experience in leading, supervising and developing diverse teams that carry out multiple facets of strategic communications and marketing.

3. Experience developing communications plans in support of an organization’s strategic direction and objectives.

4. Ability to manage high-level, large-scale communications and marketing projects from concept to completion.

5. Demonstrated creativity and successful execution of strategies and plans.

6. Strong interpersonal, teamwork, verbal, and written communications skills to be able to plan and strategize with program leaders and churchwide executives.

7. Experience in and knowledge of impactful storytelling, marketing principles and practices, supervising online platforms and video projects, and managing public relations, crisis communications and issues/reputation management for a large organization.

8. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Experience and readiness to prioritize diverse voices and stories that represent the whole church, including those in traditionally marginalized communities.

9. Experience with Microsoft Office applications.

10. Appreciation for the mission, vision, values, and goals of the ELCA.

Physical 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Employee will occasionally need to lift boxes or materials up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel 

Position requires some overnight, domestic, or international travel. Valid driver’s license required.

Salary 

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Minimum: $96,949.00.

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 People Solutions (HR).