Assistant to the Bishop for Administration and Finance

WHAT WE DO

The Southwest California Synod (Synod) is a regional body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), serving as the vital link between the national church and local ministry. Our reach spans five diverse counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Kern, where we support and lead a network of nearly 105 congregations. To ensure effective local support, our congregations are organized into eight distinct geographic conferences: Central Coast, Channel Islands, Greater Long Beach, Los Angeles Metro, Foothills, San Gabriel Valley, South Bay, Twin Valleys.

With an annual operating budget of $1.9M and a professional staff of 12, the Synod supports our congregations as they serve their neighbors and grow in faith. We believe in putting people and relationships first, ensuring that our pastors and lay leaders have the tools they need to make a difference in their own communities.

The Southwest California Synod is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Synod, which means we publicly welcome and celebrate LGBTQIA+ people in all aspects of church life. We are also deeply committed to racial equity and anti-racism, working to ensure our communities are places of healing and justice. Whether through disaster relief, immigrant support, or leadership training, we are dedicated to being a faithful and joyful presence throughout Southern California.

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

The Synod is led by Bishop Brenda Bos and a dedicated Synod Council. Elected in 2021, Bishop Bos is the first woman to lead the Southwest California Synod and the first openly lesbian bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Before entering the ministry, she was a television producer at Warner Bros. studios, working on programs such as The George Lopez Show and The Golden Girls . This unique professional background, combined with her history of advocating for unhoused persons and those living with addiction, informs her "person-centered" approach to leadership.

The Synod's culture is rooted in a shared heart for service and a "relationship-first" mindset. Staff shares a collective responsibility to be a supportive and faithful resource for our leaders and our community. We value collaboration and mission-driven impact, maintaining a work environment that is both professional and deeply connected to the diverse region we serve.

BENEFITS & FEATURES

• Salary – $120,000 - $140,000 DOE
• Retirement – 12% pension contribution
• Employer-paid medical and dental insurance for employee and eligible dependents. Vision insurance available at employee cost.
• Long-term disability and life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Employee Assistance Program
• Resources for mental health, fitness, wellness, and chronic condition management.
• PTO: 10 days paid vacation, 12 paid sick days (8 hours accrued each month), 10 paid holidays plus December 24 – January 1 at the Bishop’s discretion.

LOCATION

This is an in-person role with an office currently located at 1300 E Colorado Street, Glendale, CA, 91205.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant to the Bishop for Administration and Finance (ABAF) serves as the operational leader for the Southwest California Synod. Reporting directly to the Bishop and serving as a key partner to the Synod Council, the ABAF is responsible for the overall organizational health, financial stewardship, and administrative excellence of the Synod. This is a high-impact leadership role designed for a proactive, solution-focused professional who serves as a key thought partner to the Bishop. The ABAF plays a vital role in supporting the development and implementation of organizational strategy, translating mission-critical goals into actionable, standardized workflows. Managing the professional staff and overseeing a $1.6M budget, the ABAF ensures that the Synod’s daily operations, including HR, technology, financial reporting, and governance compliance, are executed with precision and transparency.

Year One Priorities:

• Strategy and Leadership: Serve as a trusted thought partner to the Bishop to support the strategic vision, while building trust with the staff and congregations.
• Operational Infrastructure: Establish standard operating policies and professionalize performance management systems to empower the team.
• Compliance and Stewardship: Modernize financial processes, ensuring the organization is current with tax compliance, donor pass-throughs, and reporting.
• Systems Modernization: Lead a comprehensive digital cleanup of databases and communication tools to improve organizational efficiency and data integrity.
• Governance Support: Provide support to the Bishop and Synod Council, including meeting and event coordination. Become fluent in and understand the governing documents.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Accountability & Governance Leadership

• Manage assigned operational and administrative responsibilities from initiation through completion.
• Establish clear project timelines and deliverables, ensuring deadlines are met with minimal oversight.
• Provide comprehensive written status updates and decision-support materials for the Bishop, Synod Council, and Treasurer.
• Ensure all proposals include finalized research, financial comparisons, and implementation analysis.
• Maintain organized governance and operational documentation.

Staff Leadership & Management

• Oversee Synod staff, managing schedules, time records, and staffing levels.
• Provide proactive leadership during periods of conflict, modeling professional, solution-focused communication.
• Conduct performance reviews, establish measurable goals, and coordinate all employment-related decisions with appropriate HR and supervisory consultation.

Synod Council & Officer Support

• Ensure council packets, financial reports, and constitutional analyses are accurate and delivered within deadlines.
• Attend all council meetings, track action items, and provide post-meeting summaries of responsibilities and timelines.
• Apply an understanding of nonprofit experience and synod culture to all communications and governance support.

Financial Stewardship & Operations

• Oversee staff managing payroll and expenses: manage contracts and remain conversant in budget, spending, and investment portfolios.
• Establish standardized operational workflows and maintain a centralized digital document repository.
• Implement technology solutions to improve efficiency and ensure compliance with constitutional rules and regulatory requirements.

Synod Assembly & Congregational Support

• Oversee the annual Synod assembly in collaboration with volunteer teams and staff, coordinating logistics, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Provide structured financial and constitutional guidance to congregations within defined Synod authority.
• Respond to time-sensitive inquiries promptly and coordinate complex matters with Synod leadership.

BACKGROUND PROFILE

• Commitment to the Synod’s values and a quick study of its unique constitutional, cultural, and relationship-first structures.
• Proven ability to manage HR and regulatory compliance, talent development, and the implementation of standardized administrative structures.
• Experience working with boards and volunteer-led organizations.
• A solid fundamental understanding of financial stewardship, with direct experience developing and managing budgets and fiscal reporting.
• Exceptionally well-developed listening and verbal skills, with the ability to connect with and inspire confidence among a wide range of stakeholders.
• Highly empathetic with the sound judgment, tact, and diplomacy required to manage complex internal and external relationships.
• A self-starter who can manage high-priority initiatives from initiation to completion with minimal oversight and consistent follow-through.