Director of Operations

Vanderbloemen; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Grace Pointe Church in Naperville and Plainfield seeks a strategic, results‑oriented Director of Operations. This role oversees administrative, financial, HR, and facilities systems, reporting to the Lead Pastor, with a budget just under $3M and a staff of 21 across campuses.

The position emphasizes modernization, data integrity, and strong governance. The ideal candidate combines ministry experience with senior‑level operations leadership, systems implementation, and a humble shepherd’s heart.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s preferred.
• Ministry experience and working with senior leadership.
• Experience with systems implementation; technical familiarity preferred.
• Strong operational, financial, HR, and governance knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the operations team; establish clear accountability, and improve systems, workflows, and processes.
• Oversee the annual budget of just under $3M, with financial forecasting and reporting.
• Support a staff of 21 across Naperville and Plainfield campuses; manage HR and staffing.
• Modernize accounting systems and implement church software (Planning Center).
• Establish data practices across campuses for consistent reporting.
• Coordinate governance, elder and congregational meetings, and board updates.
• Translate church vision into effective financial, operational, and administrative strategies with senior leadership.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational leadership

Financial knowledge

HR compliance

Data analytics

Governance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Ministry experience

Systems implementation

Tools

Planning Center

Job description

At Grace Pointe Church, we are a non-denominational, Bible-based, and Christ-centered church with a rich history in our community, having been founded in 1964. Led by our Lead Pastor, Dan Painter, who has faithfully served on our staff for 25 years, we have grown into a vibrant, dual-campus family with locations in both Naperville and Plainfield.

If you are looking for a perfect church filled with perfect people, you won’t find it here. In fact, we are the first to admit we are an imperfect gathering of broken, unpretentious people who are desperate for God’s grace and love. We are multi-generational and multi-ethnic, but we aren’t putting on a show to be either. Instead, we are simply on an extraordinary journey together to discover, know, and follow God. No matter who you are, what your background is, or where you are on your spiritual walk, you will fit right in here.

About the Director of Operations

Grace Pointe Church is seeking a strategic, progress-minded Director of Operations to lead our administrative, financial, human resources, and facilities systems. Reporting directly to the Lead Pastor, this key leader will oversee an annual budget of just under $3 million, support a dedicated staff of 21 employees across our Naperville and Plainfield campuses, and spearhead crucial modernization initiatives—such as migrating our financial accounting software and maximizing our use of database tools. The ideal candidate brings strong systematic business or senior organizational leadership experience coupled with a relational, humble shepherd’s heart and a distinct bias for action. If you are a high-trust self-starter who thrives in a casual, collaborative, and "work hard, play harder" ministry environment, we invite you to help us steward our resources to advance our mission of making as many people as much like Jesus Christ in the shortest time possible.

The Director of Operations’ responsibilities include:

• Operational Leadership: Lead and develop the operations team, establish clear accountability, and improve systems, workflows, and operational processes.
• Financial Management: Oversee the nearly $3M annual budget, financial forecasting, reporting, risk management, asset auditing, and modernization of accounting systems.
• Human Resources: Manage hiring, onboarding, performance management, compensation, employee records, training, compliance, and staff conflict resolution for 21 employees.
• Facilities & Campus Stewardship: Oversee facilities across the Naperville and Plainfield campuses, including maintenance, space utilization, contracts, capital projects, and facility budgeting.
• Data & Systems: Lead the implementation and optimization of church software, particularly Planning Center, while establishing consistent data practices across campuses.
• Governance & Board Support: Coordinate elder meetings, congregational meetings, church-wide votes, and updates to bylaws, constitutions, and other governing documents.
• Strategic Partnership: Partner with the Lead Pastor, Campus Pastors, and Elders to translate church vision into effective financial, operational, and administrative strategies while proactively addressing organizational needs.

What you bring

The Director of Operations is a critical, high-integrity leadership position at Grace Pointe Church designed to oversee the administrative, financial, human resources, and physical infrastructure of the church. This role marks a strategic transition away from a traditional "Executive Pastor" model to prioritize specialized operational excellence and systems innovation, ensuring that daily church operations run smoothly and transparently.

Education and Experience

• A Bachelor’s Degree is required, with a Master’s degree preferred.
• Ministry Experience.
• Working with Senior Leadership.
• Systems Implementation.
• Technical Familiarity (Preferred).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic and Operational Leadership skills.
• Financial Knowledge and Stewardship Abilities.
• Human Resources and Legal Compliance Knowledge.
• Data Systems & Ministry Analytics Skills.
• Relational, Communication & "Shepherd's Heart".
• Facilities & Multi-Campus Asset Management.
• Governance & Board Relations Knowledge.

What it’s like to live in Naperville, Illinois

Naperville offers the best of suburban living with the energy and opportunities of the greater Chicago area close by. Known for its beautiful neighborhoods, highly regarded schools, vibrant downtown, and welcoming community, Naperville is a wonderful place to put down roots and enjoy a high quality of life.

The charming downtown features locally owned restaurants, shops, coffee spots, community events, and the scenic Riverwalk. Families and outdoor enthusiasts enjoy miles of trails, parks, forest preserves, and recreational opportunities throughout the area. With easy access to Chicago, residents can enjoy the culture, entertainment, and career opportunities of a major city while still coming home to a friendly, family-oriented community.

Whether you’re raising a family, building a career, or looking for a place to become part of a community, Naperville offers a unique blend of small-town warmth, suburban convenience, and big-city access.