Office Administrator to the Chief Mission Officer

: Office Administrator to the Chief Mission Officer Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod The President of the Synod is responsible for the mission, ministry, and any programmatic and coordinative functions of the LCMS. The Chief Mission Officer (CMO) is an appointed officer of the Synod (Bylaw 3.4.3-3.4.3.8). The CMO is responsible to the President of the Synod for the mission, ministry, and any programmatic and coordinative functions of the Synod's national office (Bylaw 3.4.3). The CMO, at the direction of the President, supervises the work of the Offices of National and International Mission (ONM and OIM, Bylaw 3.4.3.5) which are implemented according to the policies adopted by the Boards for National and International Missions (BNM and BIM, Bylaw 3.4.3). On behalf of the President, the CMO also:

• Supervises the fund-raising activities of the Synod's national office according to policies established by the Board of Directors of Synod (BOD, Bylaw 3.4.3.6). In current practices, such activities are undertaken through the LCMS Mission Advancement unit.
• Supervises the content of communications, public relations, and news and information provided by the Synod (Bylaw 3.4.3.7). In current practice, such activities are undertaken through the LCMS Communications unit.
• Provides leadership, coordination, and oversight for pre-seminary education programs, seminary education, and post-seminary continuing education and provides advocacy for pastoral education and health within the Synod (Bylaw 3.4.3.8). In current practice such activities are undertaken through the Office of Pastoral Education, supervised by the CMO, who serves as the chairman of the Pastoral Formation Committee (Bylaw 3.10.4).

The Chief Mission Officer reports to the President, works under the President's supervision, supervises and directs the activities of the above-mentioned offices/units on behalf of the President.

Reporting Relationships

• In day-to-day responsibilities, reports and is accountable to the CMO.
• Interacts regularly and frequently with other LCMS officers and senior executive-level staff, LCMS unit executives, LCMS mission and ministry program unit staff and personnel from other LCMS units.
• Interacts regularly and frequently with leadership and members of the Board for International Mission and the Board for National Mission.
• Interacts regularly with senior executive leadership from various LCMS agencies, auxiliaries, affiliated organizations and partners as such working relationships are germane to various Synod initiatives and programs involving the CMO and units under the CMO's supervision.

Essential Job Functions

The Office Administrator to the Chief Mission Officer provides executive-level support to the CMO in order that he might fulfill his broad range of responsibilities as the Synod's executive officer and supervisor for the five mission and ministry program units and the Ministry Support Team (MST), as well as his office's duties as primary LCMS support staff for the BNM and BIM. As assistant to Chief Mission Officer:

• Provides professional administrative support to the CMO in carrying out a lengthy and complex menu of responsibilities.
• Manages the daily demands of the CMO Office by providing all aspects of direct administrative support to the CMO.
• Maintains the CMO calendar and schedules appointments and meetings to ensure that his schedule is coordinated and his time efficiently utilized.

• Coordinates significant international and domestic travel arrangements, including securing airline, lodging, ground transportation and visas.
• Oversees contract builder development, writing and submission process in support of LCMS mission and ministry program units, assisting and advising ministry area staff, auditing for content and budget and coordinating with the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer to ensure efficient workflow and compliance with LCMS Board of Directors policies.
• Oversees the LCMS seminary faculty/staff assignment process — with the offices of the two seminary presidents — in support of LCMS mission and ministry program units, assisting and advising ministry area staff to ensure proper completion of assignment forms/contracts and timely payments to the seminaries.
• Assists in preparation and review of budgets and financial reports for the CMO Office and units under the CMO's supervision.
• Coordinates and ensures that appropriate approvals of expenditures are obtained per policies for the CMO Office and units under the CMO's supervision.
• Conducts special projects, information gathering and research, as assigned by the CMO.
• Fulfills other duties as assigned/requested.

As supervisor of the MST Lead:

• Manages and holds the MST Lead accountable for the MST's provision of administrative support to Synod's mission and ministry program units. Ensures that service is provided to unit executives and directors that meets or exceeds expectations in support of their mission and ministry work.
• Ensures, through supervision of the MST Lead position, that administrative support needs of the ONM and OIM executive directors are met.
• Oversees the development and attainment of final approval of position descriptions for MST staff.
• Oversees the development, organization, and implementation of work processes (i.e., procedures and use of various tools to handle incoming requests and manages projects) in order to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of MST staff.
• Participates in regular, ongoing meetings with MST staff as a group.
• Ensures that formal and informal ongoing training opportunities are identified and implemented for MST staff.
• Ensures that MST staff are cross-trained in their core responsibilities.

As administrator/support staff for the BNM and BIM:

• Manages the development, coordination and production of the agenda and docket for meetings of the BNM and BIM.
• Responsible for travel and meeting arrangements (registration, housing, meeting facilities, food and beverage, set up, expense reimbursements, etc.) for members of the BNM and BIM (a total of 22 non-staff members). Arranges electronic meetings between in-person meetings.
• Oversees and maintains the BNM and BIM web portals with LCMS Communications. Monitors incoming email to BNM and BIM accounts and responds or distributes to appropriate board members or LCMS staff for response/follow-up as appropriate.
• Sets up and maintains BoardEffect portals for BNM and BIM.
• Purchases and sets up iPads for BNM and BIM members, troubleshoots technical issues.
• Conducts orientation for new BNM and BIM members so that board members are familiar with board logistics, use of software tools, etc.
• Attends BNM and BIM meetings as LCMS staff resource/site manager.
• Develops triennial schedule of BNM and BIM regular meeting dates (three in-person, one electronic meeting per board annually).
• Assists in various duties throughout the year as requested by the board chairs and/or executive teams and ad hoc subcommittees and task forces.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent, with minimum of three years in an executive administrative or management position.
• Active member in good standing of an LCMS congregation. Faithful to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, and completely and evangelically supportive of the doctrinal positions of the LCMS.
• Capable financial background, with understanding or experience in reading large organization financial statements, management accounting reports and unit budgets.
• Demonstrated success working on a dynamic, fast-paced team with significant responsibilities and operational demands.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the structure of the LCMS and its related entities, with commitment to the mission and ministry and strategic and operational priorities of the Synod.
• Sound understanding of administrative principles and procedures.
• Functional knowledge of and familiarity with Synod's current policies and procedures.
• Capacity to analyze and recommend paths to improve efficiency.
• Ability to work as part of a team, to encourage team development, strong administrative and organizational skills.
• Capable of prioritizing, planning, and carrying out multiple tasks while maintaining the flexibility to quickly shift from one project to another. Able to successfully work under pressure with multiple, simultaneous deadlines.
• Agile learner with the capacity to transfer knowledge and skills to colleagues.
• Strong capacity for, and enjoyment of, detail-oriented work.
• Ability to establish priorities to achieve defined objectives.
• Proven ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365 and aptitude for technology, including board management software and other software applications.
• Highly professional with personal maturity to exercise discretion and judgment in confidential matters with staff and board members.
• Excellent oral and written communication and listening skills.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Supervises the Ministry Support Team (MST) Lead.