Director Transformative Giving

Organization Profile

In grateful response to God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and the world.

The LCMS Mission Advancement (MADV) unit connects people in their voluntary charitable giving to the Synod's ministry and mission efforts. It does so in a manner consistent with Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions while complying with legal, regulatory and ethical principles expected of all trustworthy philanthropic organizations. MADV works closely with LCMS Communications department to support the mission and ministry efforts of the Offices of National Mission, International Mission and Pastoral Education (all of which report to the LCMS Chief Mission Officer) as well as the general operations of corporate Synod.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to the MADV executive director.
• Relates to, collaborates with and supports other MADV directors.
• Supervises select MADV staff and interacts with the staff of other MADV subunits.
• Working relationships will also include other departments of the Synod, entities and partners as they relate to specific programs and projects.

Essential Job Functions

The Director - Transformative Giving is responsible for the implementation of strategies, plans, and activities designed to manage the interdependent relationship efficiently and effectively between the LCMS and its donor constituents, specifically those who God blesses with the capacity, commitment, and personal interest for supporting the Synod's national and international work in significant and transformative ways.

• Along with other MADV subunit directors and under the leadership of the MADV executive director, serves on the MADV management team (cabinet) to strategically plan and carry out the unit's work of fund-raising, contributor care and constituent relations.
• Provides the MADV executive director with frequent counsel and update on significant contributions holding the potential to transform the organizations overall mission capacity and, at the same time, transform the way the involved contributor sees himself/herself in the overall mission of the Christian church.
• Assists the MADV executive director in developing the annual operating budget for the Transformative Giving subunit, including the cost of personnel and activities required to uplift, support and strengthen constituent relationships in a way worthy of the Gospel, that is, honoring constituent generosity through the lens of Appreciative Inquiry/Response.
• Serves as a leader in recruiting, orienting, training, mentoring and supervising the Mission Advancement staff. Draws on staff involvement as appropriate from other MADV subunits. Holds the Transformative Giving subunit accountable for work to be performed under the unit's annual and long-range plans and its policies and procedures.
• Functions as a model for MADV mission advocates by accomplishing tasks in an ethical manner while upholding the highest standards and principles. Serves as a model of professionalism for other MADV staff.
• Designs and implements strategies and activities to move prospects and donors to higher levels of giving.
• At the direction of the MADV executive director, assumes management responsibility for the funding of select initiatives that do not fall readily into campaigns/special programs, member engagement, missionary support and pastoral formation/care areas.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the President, the Chief Mission Officer or the MADV executive director.

Education and Experience

• Active membership in good standing in an LCMS congregation, faithful to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, and supportive of the Synod's Constitution, Bylaws, and policies.
• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in a related field; a master's degree strongly preferred.
• Advanced education or certification in fundraising or development/advancement best practices (e.g. CFRE) strongly preferred.
• Six or more years' experience in a non-profit or professional environment including three years of manager-level experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading, supervising, and developing a high-performing team, including setting goals, providing feedback, managing performance, and fostering a collaborative working environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to set and achieve goals.
• Ability to function in a management system that emphasizes results and accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, major gifts colleagues and other MADV staff members to strengthen teamwork.
• Ability to plan, organize, execute and evaluate strategies and activities; open to positive improvements and new approaches in resource development and fund raising.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral including giving presentations.
• Strong working knowledge of Christian stewardship principles and the ability to apply those principles in a fundraising environment.
• Familiarity with the Synod's doctrine, practices, mission, structure and/or programmatic ministries strongly preferred.
• Ability to engage/work effectively with a broad spectrum of Synod stakeholders, e.g., senior executive leadership, rostered church workers, lay congregants, agencies, auxiliaries and other partners of Synod to secure interest, involvement and investment in the work of Synod.
• Willing to travel when warranted with colleagues and contributors.
• Knowledge of financial matters and a willingness to use technology to enhance productivity.

Supervisory Responsibility

• This position is responsible for directly supervising a number of other staff members in MADV, including but not limited to:
  • Mission Advocates and Research Manager
  • Gift Planning Manager
  • Grants/Foundations Staff