Vice President, International Ministries

Joni and Friends; Agoura Hills (CA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Joni and Friends in Agoura Hills, CA seeks a senior leader to craft and implement international ministry strategy in alignment with our mission. The role works with the COO and executive team to integrate global initiatives into priorities and to drive cross‑functional collaboration across regions.

The position emphasizes program development, partnership growth, and the use of data to enhance transparency and impact while ensuring compliance and financial stewardship.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher preferred and relevant ministry leadership experience.
• Proven leadership, public speaking or teaching experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to write reports and proposals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and align international ministry strategy with Joni and Friends’ mission.
• Lead program development and scalable processes across regions.
• Build and manage international partnerships and donor relations.
• Represent the organization at conferences, media engagements, and global forums.
• Oversee budgets, compliance, and risk management for international operations.
• Lead and mentor direct reports; conduct regular performance reviews.

Skills

Vision and strategy

Leadership

Public speaking

Writing

Travel (domestic/international)

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Communication

Confidentiality

Education

Master’s degree or above

Tools

Windows

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Internet literacy

Job description

Duties:

Perform duties and responsibilities including, but not limited to:

1. Vision, Strategy, and Ministry Alignment
2. Develop and implement a vision and the in-country and regional strategy for international ministry initiatives aligned with Joni and Friends’ mission and values
3. Work closely with the COO and executive team to integrate international strategies into overall ministry priorities and initiatives
4. Drives alignment between international ministry and other ministry departments, promoting shared goals, resource optimization, and consistent ministry delivery
5. International Program Development and Innovation
6. Leads the development of ministry infrastructure for international programs and services, implementing standardized processes that enable enduring ministry impact across regions
7. Guide and manage the growth of Joni and Friends international partnership programs
8. Identify emerging opportunities and innovative approaches to disability ministry in diverse cultural contexts
9. Leads initiatives to integrate technology and innovative practices into program management, enhancing transparency, tracking, and sustainability
10. Champion innovative approaches to frameworks that enhance cultural understanding and maximize ministry impact across all international locations
11. Partnerships and External Relations
12. Build and maintain strategic partnerships with churches, NGOs, and disability advocacy organizations worldwide to expand ministry reach
13. Serve as a spokesperson for Joni and Friends’ international efforts at conferences, media engagements, and global forums
14. Collaborate with development teams to cultivate donor relationships and secure funding for international projects
15. Ensure compelling communication of international ministry impact through reports, media, and storytelling initiatives
16. Operational Oversight, Compliance & Stewardship
17. Leverage data and reporting systems to assess strategic impact and guide refinements that strengthen ministry effectiveness
18. Ensure compliance and adherence to domestic and international laws, ethical standards, and ministry policies, mitigating risks across international operations
19. Develop and manage international ministry budgets, ensuring financial stewardship and alignment with ministry priorities
20. Team Leadership, Development, and Guidance
21. Lead and manage direct reports providing guidance, training, and timely support
22. Schedule regular 1:1s with direct reports to review projects, goals, expectations, and overall performance
23. Continuously develop the skills and knowledge of direct reports to enhance their capabilities and identify skills gaps and work with staff to close the gaps
24. Work with staff to create, track and, complete their goals
25. Conduct performance evaluations and foster a positive and collaborative work environment
26. Other duties and projects as assigned by supervisor to support department and organizational needs

Qualifications:

• Must possess a vibrant personal relationship with Jesus Christ and agree with the Joni and Friends statement of faith
• Desire to serve in a growing and dynamic Christian service ministry
• Master’s Degree, or above preferred
• A working knowledge of and experience with Christian ministry and mission
• Proven ministry leadership, public speaking or teaching experience
• Self-starter, able to manage multiple projects with varied deadlines with excellence
• Positive interpersonal communication/networking skills and effective writing abilities
• Ability to travel local, national and internationally as needed
• Valid passport and driver’s license are required
• Proven leadership skills, including the ability to motivate and manage a team effectively. Experience in leading projects, guiding teams through challenges, and making critical decisions is crucial
• Good interpersonal communication skills both verbal and written and the ability to effectively organize and prioritize a wide range of daily tasks with varied deadlines are necessary
• Must be detail oriented, committed to accuracy, a team player and self-starter who is flexible and able to work independently
• Must have a strong sense of confidentiality
• Strong general computer skills are necessary along with a competent, working knowledge of Windows, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook and the Internet
• Experience in Christian ministry and specifically alignment with Joni and Friends biblical perspective on disability, is highly desirable

Physical Requirements:

This position involves both sedentary office work and occasionalphysicalactivity during and in preparation of events. The employee must be able to sit for extended periods, operate a computer and other standard office equipment, and communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and through virtual platforms. During events and travel, the role may require standing or walking for extended periods, bending, reaching, and carrying materials. The employee must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull items up to 20 pounds. The employee must have the ability to travel to domestic and international locations, ranging from shorter trips to more extensive stays.
Work is primarily performed in an office setting but also includes offsite environments such as hotels, conference centers, and outreach facilities. Offsite work may involve varying temperatures, lighting, and noise levels, as well as periods of increased activity during event setup and execution. Employees are expected to maintain professionalism, safety awareness, and flexibility while adapting to different environments and schedules.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Compensation

$145,000 - $160,000 per year. This is a hybrid position working in the Agoura Hills office on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Wednesday and Friday are remote workdays.

EMPLOYEE MINISTRY ENGAGEMENT:

Joni and Friends is a Christ-centered community. Therefore, we expect every employee at Joni and Friends to excel in their walk with Christ and in their specific employment role in our Christian community. We purposely create a gospel-centered environment and offer leadership and development training to help employees perform their work with integrity and excellence, serving in our Christian community at Joni and Friends to fulfill our religious ministry: to share the gospel and serve people living with disabilities.

All employees do this, regardless of their specific role, by:

• Modeling Joni and Friends’ Christian beliefs and practices to advance our gospel mission during working hours and nonworking hours
• Supporting fellow staff and volunteers at Joni and Friends in following Christ, by praying for each other, sharing Scripture and setting an example of how to live a faithful Christian life
• Engaging in the lives of people living with disabilities with love, dignity, and in a manner that commends and proclaims the gospel.
• Participating or leading in prayer and worship during meetings, events, and outreaches
• Affirming the Joni and Friends Statement of Faith annually and not engaging in any conduct or promoting any religious beliefs inconsistent with such beliefs
• Upholding and advancing Joni and Friends’ Mission and Vision through a focus on our Values.
• Actively attending a church that has a statement of faith that does not contradict Joni and Friends’ Statement of Faith

Joni and Friends seeks to glorify God in the way we conduct ourselves, and in the work we do together as a Christian community. Employment at Joni and Friends is not only a job but a ministry and a calling from God.