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
Strategic Communications is a team within the Office of the Presiding Bishop that is responsible for raising the profile of the ELCA and supporting the voice of the presiding bishop. The team develops, implements, measures, and analyzes strategies for effective internal and external communications in the areas of content, digital communications, and marketing. These strategies include storytelling (Living Lutheran), public relations, websites, multimedia, marketing, branding, and social media.
This position designs and implements marketing plans for churchwide programs, events, and initiatives. This position drives effective communication plans by collaborating across the organization and leading multi-channel strategies in support of the ELCA’s mission. This position reports to the Senior Director, Strategic Communications and works directly with units and offices as needed to create and promote messages, resources and tools for members and congregations, including major events like the ELCA Churchwide Assembly and ELCA Youth Gathering.
This position leads the marketing team, a team within Strategic Communications that promotes, amplifies, and creates awareness of ELCA priorities, offering strategic insight, taking into consideration performance and metrics.
This is a full-time, regular, exempt, Chicago-based/hybrid position. This position has responsibilities that will require being in the office a minimum of 2 days/week and more as needed.
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.
1. Creates and implements a marketing strategy for Strategic Communications and identifies and develops event-specific branding opportunities for signature ELCA events, including the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, ELCA Youth Gathering, and Rostered Ministers Gathering.
2. Drives member communications strategies for multiple churchwide programs in assigned areas, including events and special projects, strategy design, management of print and digital materials and plans, and analysis of the results of those strategies for reaching goals and outcomes.
3. Leads the Marketing Team, including hiring, mentoring, supervising, and supporting team members in achieving their professional and developmental goals. Set goals for the Marketing Team that support a larger operations plan for Strategic Communications and, when applicable, a communications strategy for the churchwide organization.
4. Works collaboratively with the Senior Director and colleagues in Strategic Communications to analyze results and adjust plans and approaches to communications initiatives. This includes data analysis and strategy done by the team’s Engagement Strategist.
5. Supports the Senior Director in overseeing ELCA brand and style guidelines by fielding regular requests from churchwide organization staff for branding guidance about things like merchandise, printed materials, giveaways, etc. As needed, this person may be asked to work directly with synods and congregations to provide resources and tools that assist them with branding needs.
6. Works with the Senior Director on current and future communications strategies, new initiatives, and other special projects and strategies.
7. Oversees marketing emails, and delegates related work and analytics gathering and interpretation to members of the Marketing Team.
8. Supports the Senior Director in overseeing project management within Strategic Communications, delegating related work to members of the Marketing Team as needed.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervision
1. Manager, Marketing
2. Engagement Strategist
3. Communications Coordinator
Requirements
1. 7+ years of marketing/communications/digital experience. Bachelor’s degree preferred or any combination of education, training, and experience. Nonprofit experience and experience supervising and leading a team preferred.
2. Proven background developing and managing the execution of large-scale integrated marketing communication programs and experience working with multiple vendors—print, online, design, writing, etc.
3. Ability to assist in developing strategies for marketing the ELCA’s offerings to the public and members while analyzing external marketing trends and establishing metrics based on market research and response metrics.
4. Ability to create large volumes of collateral content with minimal direction and guidance required under tight deadlines and in a fast-paced environment.
5. Strong verbal and written communications skills to be able to plan and strategize with program leaders and churchwide executives.
6. Ability to work both independently and within a team environment. Very organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage projects from conception through completion.
7. Appreciation for the mission, vision, values and goals of the ELCA.
8. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism.
9. Minimum Technical Competency: 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. Experience using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc.) preferred as well as various resources specific to this industry, including project management software.
Physical
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, be visible on camera, 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 accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Travel
Minimal travel. Position requires minimal overnight, domestic travel. Valid driver’s license preferred.
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 Human Resources.
Salary
Commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience.