Sales and Business Relationship Associate

Evangelical-Lutheran-Church-in-Americ; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health premiums for employees

403b retirement plan contribution

Paid holidays

Hybrid work model

Job summary

ELCA is seeking a Sales & Business Relationship Associate (Ministry) to grow ministry engagement by guiding congregations through tailored financial solutions. You will manage a portfolio, support outreach, and contribute to pipeline development while representing the organization at events.

The role emphasizes relationship-building, financial guidance, and readiness for more senior positions within a national church network. Local Chicago-based hybrid work is involved.

Qualifications

• 2-5+ years of sales or ministry-related relationship experience.
• Strong communication and relationship-building across diverse communities.
• Ability to manage a portfolio of congregations and ministry growth opportunities.
• Familiarity with financial products and services is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales by guiding congregations through loan, deposit, credit card, and investment solutions.
• Manage a portfolio of congregations and ministry organizations to identify growth opportunities.
• Support outreach and pipeline-building with documented follow-ups.
• Represent the organization at events and visits to strengthen partnerships.
• Provide administrative and analytical support to senior team members.

Skills

Sales experience

Relationship management

Communications

Portfolio management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/finance/ministry leadership

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

This posting will close September 24, 2026, at 11:00 pm central time.

About the ELCA

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,700 worshipping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). With a vision to live in a world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ makes for all people and creation, the ELCA strives to be a welcoming, thriving, and connected church that introduces people to Jesus so they can discover community, justice, and love.

The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation. We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries: The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union.

About the Mission Investment Fund

The Mission Investment Fund (MIF), a financial ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, supports the establishment and growth of ELCA congregations, synods, and affiliated ministries by providing loans for capital projects for congregations and ministries. To fund these loans, MIF offers a variety of investments to ELCA members, congregations, and ministries.

The ELCA Federal Credit Union, a financial ministry partner of the Mission Investment Fund, offers financial products and services to members, pastors, congregations, synods, affiliated ministries, and their employees. The portfolio of products includes low-cost loans, deposit accounts, credit cards, and other solutions within a not-for-profit, cooperative structure.

Values

MIF's values are rooted in Christian faith, Lutheran traditions, and our identity as a ministry of the ELCA; Integrity, Customer Focus, Inclusion and Diversity, Faithful Stewardship, Courage and Openness to Change.

About the Position

The Sales & Business Relationship Associate (Ministry) supports organizational growth by assisting congregations and ministries in understanding and accessing mission-aligned financial solutions. This role manages a portfolio of smaller congregations and ministry organizations, supports ministry outreach efforts, and provides administrative and analytical support to senior relationship managers. The Associate develops foundational skills in ministry engagement, financial guidance, and relationship management to prepare for advancement into higher-level roles. This position is instrumental in driving the adoption of lending, deposit, and investment solutions within ministry communities. The individual is expected to proactively identify opportunities, build strong relationships, and clearly communicate the benefits of financial products to maximize engagement and generate new business. The role requires a persuasive approach to educate ministry partners on how these solutions can advance their organizational objectives.

Success in this capacity is measured by the ability to boost ministry participation and consistently increase loan and investment sales. The position also emphasizes the development of advanced sales and relationship management skills, ensuring readiness for more senior roles focused on complex client portfolios and strategic partnerships.

This is a full-time, regular, exempt (salaried), Chicago-based hybrid position. This position has responsibilities that will require being in the office on a weekly basis. This could mean 2-3 days most weeks and possibly more days when meetings and other events are happening that this position supports.

The eligibility of a candidate for remote or hybrid positions may depend on the residency of the candidate, and the budget for the role, including salary or pay, insurance coverage, and/or tax burden. Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

1. Actively drive sales by guiding congregations and ministries through tailored loan, deposit, credit card, and investment solutions. Clearly communicate product benefits and provide ministry-focused support to increase adoption and generate new business opportunities.

2. Manage a portfolio of congregations and ministry organizations supporting growth opportunities through proactive relationship management.

3. Contribute to outreach and pipeline-building strategies by identifying congregations and ministry needs, documenting opportunities, and coordinating follow-up activities.

4. Participate in congregation visits, conferences, and ministry events as a visible representative of the organization.

5. Provide administrative, analytical, and relationship support to senior team members, contributing to pipeline development and relationship stewardship.

7. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

1. 2-5+ years of experience in sales, congregations and ministry support, financial services, or customer relationship roles.
2. Foundational understanding of loans, deposits, and investment solutions, with willingness to grow technical knowledge.
3. Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills across diverse congregation and ministry environments.
4. Ability to engage ministry partners with cultural awareness, tact, and diplomacy, including navigating diverse congregation traditions and governance structures.
5. Demonstrated interest in congregation and ministry engagement, nonprofit service, or community-focused work.
6. Ability to manage a portfolio of congregations and ministry growth opportunities.
7. Proficiency with CRM systems and basic financial data tools.
8. Demonstrated learning agility
9. Appreciation for the mission, vision, and values of the ELCA and Mission Investment Fund.
10. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism.
11. Minimum Technical Competency: Computer knowledge that enables you to operate a Windows Computer and follow basic troubleshooting instructions. Software skills to efficiently use computer programs and applications. Ability to leverage computer knowledge and software skills to understand new software, follow process, and identify opportunities for improvement. Experience using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc.) preferred.

Required or preferred education, certifications, or licenses:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Marketing, Ministry Leadership, or related field preferred.
• Series 63 or similar certifications are beneficial but not required.

Physical

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. May be required to lift boxes of materials. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel

Position requires minimal travel. Valid driver’s license preferred.

Benefits

The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA’s, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer a generous paid time-off policy including 11 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date.

Contact

If you have questions about this job or your application, please complete this form to contact Human Resources.

Salary

Commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and prohibit discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. As a religious organization, we reserve the right, where permitted by applicable federal and state law, to employ individuals who share and support our religious beliefs, mission, and values.