Chief Operating Officer

Paycom - ATS; Kirkwood (MO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod seeks a Chief Operating Officer to oversee the organization’s operational, administrative, financial, and compliance functions. Working with the President and Board, the COO will drive strategic execution and governance across the national and international entities.

Responsibilities include directing finance, HR, legal, facilities, and communications, establishing strong internal controls, budgeting, and risk management, and guiding enterprise-wide initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or related field.
• MBA, CPA, or other advanced designation preferred.
• 10+ years of executive leadership experience in operations, finance, or general management.
• Experience in nonprofit or faith-based organizations preferred.
• Experience in governance-driven or multi-entity organizations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide operational planning aligned with strategic goals.
• Oversee financial functions including budgeting, treasury, audit, and reporting.
• Ensure compliance, regulatory adherence, and risk management.
• Coordinate with Board and President; report on performance and priorities.
• Direct supervision of finance, accounting, audit, HR, operations, and admin.
• Travel required (approximately 25–30%).

Skills

Strategic thinking

Financial acumen

Governance

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Operational excellence

Analytical

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration/related field

MBA or CPA preferred

Job description

The LCMS Mission\"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 world.\"Department ProfileThe LCMS Board of Directors (BOD) is vested with the general management and supervision of the Synod’s business and legal affairs, including the review and coordination of the policies and directives of the Synod authorized by its Constitution, Bylaws and resolutions and of the plans and policies of the Synod’s boards and commissions. It provides for the administration, financial and operational support, and accountability of the activities of corporate Synod and the oversight and coordination of the same for the broader Synod, as all together pursue the objectives of the Synod as stated in Const. Art. III: to conserve and promote the unity of the true faith, strengthening the witness of Synod members, providing for church worker training and care, for works of mercy, for Christian education, for resourcing of confessional unity, uniformity and variety in responsible practices and customs, ecclesiastical supervision, and protection of congregations and workers in the exercise of their duties and maintenance of their rights.The Chief Operating Officer of the Synod is an officer of the Synod (Const. Art. XI A) and the board’s executive, serving at the board’s direction in successive three-year terms as appointed, performing directly or supervising the following functions (Bylaws 3.4.1, 3.4.1.3):Administration of the financial affairs of the Synod, excluding the synodwide corporate entities, the districts, the Concordia Plans, and Concordia Plan Services. This includes supervision of all financial-related areas, including accounts receivable, cash receipts, general and cost accounting, internal audit, budgeting, and corporate insurance. This includes responsibility for corporate Synod finance (including service as Treasurer) and executive performance of the board’s oversight and limited supervision of finance for agencies of the Synod outside corporate Synod, such as the seminaries and universities, synodwide corporate entities, districts, etc.Administration of the responsibilities given to the Board of Directors in the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod, now including non-theological, non-messaging aspects of communications and fundraising.The Chief Operating Officer also works together closely with the Chief Mission Officer, who serves at the direction of the President of the Synod, in carrying out the programmatic, administrative, and financial functions of the national Synod (Bylaw 3.4.1.4) and serves as part of the Synod Administrative Team (Bylaws 3.5.1–3.5.1.1).The Chief Operating Officer shall be selected with the consultation and concurrence of the President of Synod.Reporting RelationshipsReports to the convention as a Synod officerReports to the BOD, typically through the Board ChairServes as part of the Administrative Team (Bylaw 3.5.1), which is under the leadership and oversight of the President.Position SummaryThe Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as the senior executive responsible for the oversight, coordination, and integration of the organization’s operational, administrative, financial, and compliance functions. Acting on behalf of the Board of Directors and in coordination with the President, the COO ensures that all organizational activities are executed efficiently, effectively, accountably, and in alignment with the Synod’s mission, governing policies, and strategic priorities.The COO provides leadership across areas of corporate services, financial management, human resources, legal compliance, and organizational infrastructure.Essential Job FunctionsExecutive Leadership & GovernanceServe as chief operating executive responsible for implementing Board decisions and organizational strategy for business, financial, legal, and administrative operations of the corporate Synod.Advise and support the Board of Directors and President on operational and financial matters.Prepare Board agendas, reports, and materials in coordination with leadership.Ensure compliance with governing documents (Constitution, Bylaws, policies, and civil law).Maintain communication between Board and executive leadership.Serves, unless the board designates otherwise, on the following corporate entity boards: Concordia Plan Services, Lutheran Church Extension Fund, LCMS Foundation, Concordia Publishing House, Concordia University System, and on the investment committee of the Concordia Plans and Concordia Plan Services.Serves on the following international Board(s)/Committee(s): China Evangelical Lutheran Church – Legal Corporation (CELC-LC).Serves on the Commission on Handbook.Direct supervision of ~4 executives and an administrator, indirect of 7–9 director/managers and 40–114 staff in an organization with headcount of 191 domestic, 103 international (and responsibilities with regard to universities, seminaries, entities, and agencies outside corporate Synod).Operational OversightDirect and coordinate, principally through executives and directors, day-to-day operations of the organization.Lead enterprise-wide operational planning aligned with strategic goals.Ensure collaboration across departments, entities, and mission units related to the business, financial, legal, and administrative operations of corporate Synod.Improve organizational efficiency, systems, and service delivery.Oversee facilities, event planning, procurement, and administrative services.Serve as convention manager and be responsible to the President of Synod as outlined in Bylaw 3.1.9.Financial Leadership & StewardshipOversee all financial functions including accounting, budgeting, treasury, audit, and financial reporting.Serve as Treasurer responsible for custody, disbursement, and reporting of funds.Lead budgeting process and monitor financial performance against plan.Provide financial forecasting, analysis, and strategic recommendations.Advise leadership on financial implications of programs, investments, and contracts.Ensure strong internal controls, audit processes, and regulatory compliance.Manage banking relationships, investments, and risk management programs.Compliance, Legal, and Risk ManagementServe as corporate compliance officer.Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory, and governance standards.Oversee corporate policies, contracts, and agreements.Liaise with legal counsel and manage legal matters and risks.Monitor and address compliance issues across the organization.Strategic Planning & Organizational EffectivenessLead long-range planning processes and execution of strategic initiatives.Align operational and financial plans with mission priorities.Evaluate organizational performance and implement continuous improvement.Foster innovation, efficiency, and cross-functional collaboration.Leadership & Talent ManagementProvide executive oversight of key functional leaders (finance, HR, operations, etc.).Build and lead high-performing teams across administrative and financial functions.Support leadership development and succession planning.Promote organizational culture rooted in integrity, accountability, and collaboration.Synod EngagementRepresent the BOD in relation to, and strengthen the BOD’s relationship with, synodwide corporate entities, Concordia Plan Services, and Synod’s seminaries, universities, and districts as to their business, property, and legal aspects.Serve as the board’s liaison to Synod boards, commissions, council, committees, agencies, partner organizations, and affiliates.Communicate clearly and effectively organizational performance, priorities, and impact, especially as relates to support of the Synod’s unrestricted support through the districts.Church MembershipMust, as an officer of the Synod, be a member of a member congregation of the Synod.Must be a layperson (not an ordained or commissioned minister).Education and ExperienceBachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or related field, required.Minimum 10 years of executive leadership experience in operations, finance, or general management.Demonstrated experience leading complex organizations and working with boards.MBA, CPA, or other advanced/professional designation, preferred.Experience in nonprofit or faith-based organizations, preferred.Experience in governance-driven or multi-entity organizations, preferred.Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)Strategic thinking and executionFinancial acumen and stewardshipOperational excellenceGovernance and compliance expertiseLeadership and team developmentAnalytical and problem-solving skillsCommunication and relationship buildingIntegrity and ethical leadershipAbility to drive positive change while navigating ambiguity and complex authority structuresSupervisory ResponsibilityDirect oversight of finance, accounting, audit, HR, operations, and administrative functions, as well as non-theological, non-messaging aspects of communications and fundraising.Indirect leadership for business, financial, legal, and administrative operations of program areas.Travel required (approximately 25–30%)