Administrative Assistant III

About the ELCA 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states, Caribbean, and 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 Position  

The Vision Project is an ELCA initiative, funded by a donor, to discover new and innovative ways to live out the ELCA Vision: A world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation.

This position is responsible for performing complex and diversified administrative duties for the Vision Team. Regularly exposed to highly confidential matters and materials, the position requires a high level of professionalism and the ability to exercise sound judgment in communication with internal colleagues and external partners.  

This is a full-time, term-contract (through January 31, 2031, with possibility of renewal), exempt, remote, position.

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. 

Responsibilities 

1. Processes expense reports, invoices, contract payments, and reimbursements; maintains knowledge of Workday processes.

2. Creates monthly budget reports, as well as contributes to budgeting conversations for ministry model experiments.

3. Creates and maintains contracts and grants, and initiates payments for contracted services and grant recipients. Maintains knowledge of the CWO Contracts Portal and GrantMaker.

4. Coordinates daily appointment schedule and calendar; schedules online meetings (up to 20 per week); supports 4- to 40-person, in-person events convened by the Vision Team (up to 10 per year).

5. Keeps meeting minutes for meetings with our project donors, the Vision Team Advisory Council, and other important events.

6. Ensures that all travel arrangements are made for the Vision Team (1-4 trips per month), consultants, and meeting attendees.

7. Acts as Vision Team liaison to IT, People Solutions, OT-Accounting, and other organization teams as needed.

8. Prepares and disseminates emails, marketing, reports, and other communications as needed. 

9. Assists with regular evaluation of model ministries through communications, follow-ups, scheduling, etc.

10. Assists with special projects as assigned.

11. Performs other duties as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

1. N/A

Requirements

1. Ability to take initiative, assimilate new information quickly, and to adjust effectively to change. 

2. Comprehensive knowledge of standard office procedures with 3+ years of progressive administrative experience; proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite of programs; experience with Workday.

3. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

4. Demonstrated ability to maintain highest level of confidentiality and integrity; ability to work collaboratively and effectively across the organization and with churchwide organization staff, key partners, and ELCA leadership; considerable skill in exercising tact and good judgment.

5. Exceptional planning and organizational skills with strong attention to detail and efficiency; ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously and within deadlines.

6. Familiarity with the ELCA and its organizational expressions.

7. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism.

8. Appreciation for the mission, vision, and values of the ELCA.

Physical Requirements: 

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. Employee will occasionally need to lift boxes or materials up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel

Position requires occasional travel as needed for work-related meetings and events. Travel by air or vehicle for conferences a possibility. Valid driver’s license required. 

Salary 

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

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 17 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date.