Program Director, Property Resource Hub

Job Type Full-time, Contract 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

Program Director, Property Resource Hub implements the creation of a resource and forum for highlighting congregational stories of missional transformation of properties, encouraging thoughtful discernment through resource offerings and communal cooperation, and facilitating next steps for interested parties with longevity and missional impact in mind. We are seeking to create a resource for all expressions of the ELCA to explore and experiment with what God might be inviting them to do with their space resources, and this position will facilitate and create the platform for that exploration. This position works closely with the Director, Congregational Stewardship Support to ensure that assets are used with efficiency. This position will lead the team that will create and promote this resource. This is a 3-year term position, full time with benefits.

This is a full-time, term-contract, exempt, remote position. This position has responsibilities that will require daily participation in contact updates, travel as needed, and a regular 40-hour work week unless otherwise designated.

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 request.

Responsibilities:

1. Creates and implements the resource hub – web integration, selection of stories and design (with input and direction from Director, Congregational Stewardship Support and Communications colleagues). 

2. Leads a team of 3.

3. Communicate with synods, and congregations: learning needs, collecting stories, and gathering feedback. Work with the Director, Congregational Stewardship Support and partners at ELCA entities to create a practical and proactive resource to aid the discernment of congregational properties. 

4. Maintain up to date contacts and resources, including coaches for synods and congregations seeking to explore space usage more fully.

5. Be the primary contact within the organization building relationships with like-minded entities doing work in the space, vetting their work, and managing the interactions.

6. Conduct approved and vetted on-site visits with congregations and synods doing innovative work in the space for story collection, learning, and inspiration.

7. Organize day-to-day management of resource needs, in collaboration with communications manager. Ensure the resource is up to date, stories are fresh and explore new resources for exhibition and collaboration.

8. Manage strategy and logistics for online and in-person events and Executive and Advisory Team meetings. Work internally with the ELCA Meetings team on staff and non-staff travel and externally with ELCA Synod contacts on location logistics.

9. Create an in-person gathering in second year (in conjunction with Director and Churchwide colleagues) around building usage innovations, best practices, and practical tools for congregations and