Vice President of Finance and Accounting Greater Chicago, IL Area

Description

This posting will close November 19, 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 and the ELCA Federal Credit Union

The Mission Investment Fund (MIF), a financial ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), supports the establishment and growth of congregations and other church-affiliated ministries by providing financing for building projects. MIF also offers socially responsible investment products to both individuals and ministries, the proceeds of which fund the loan program and provide investors with financial returns.

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.

Organizational 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 |

At MIF, your work directly funds the building of new churches, the renovation of community centers, and the expansion of social services across the country. We offer a competitive benefits package, a culture of inclusivity and belonging, and the opportunity to lead at the intersection of faith and finance.

About the Position

The Vice President of Finance & Accounting is a key member of the MIF leadership team responsible for providing strategic financial leadership, operational oversight, and fiduciary stewardship for the organization. This role ensures the organization's financial strength and stability while supporting its mission to serve MIF customers and partners. The position partners closely with executive leadership, governance boards, auditors, staff, and other stakeholders to maintain disciplined financial management as a foundation for growth and enabler of ministry impact.

This position leads financial planning and analysis, asset-liability management, treasury, and investment management activities. This role also oversees accounting activities.

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

1. Strategic Financial Leadership

• Develop and execute financial strategies that support the organization's mission, strategic direction and long-term sustainability.
• Advise executive leadership and governance bodies regarding financial implications of business decisions. Propose actionable insights and recommendations to enhance financial performance.
• Monitor industry trends, economic conditions, and regulatory developments impacting the organization.
• Oversee the formulation and administration of financial policies.

1. Treasury and Asset-Liability Management

• Oversee cash management and liquidity planning, and capital management activities.
• Actively engage the organization’s asset-liability management (ALM) objectives, structure and implementing activities. Serve as owner for assigned ALM priorities and risks.
• Monitor and report on key financial metrics, including capital structure, asset quality, liquidity, margins, earnings performance, and related trends.
• Ensure appropriate asset and liability valuation methodologies, sources and tools.
• Collaborate with executive leadership regarding investment and funding strategies.

1. Financial Planning and Analysis

• Lead financial forecasting, scenario planning, and long-range financial modeling.
• Oversee the annual budgeting process and interim forecasting activities.
• Analyze financial performance and key performance indicators.
• Report to executives and functional leaders regarding financial performance, opportunities, risks, and resource allocations.

1. Accounting Management

• Oversee accounting operations, including maintaining a strong system of internal controls to prevent fraud, ensure data integrity and safeguard organizational assets.
• Ensure accurate, timely recording and reporting of financial activities in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and applicable regulatory and tax requirements.
• Ensure financial systems operate effectively and efficiently.

1. Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable financial, accounting, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee preparation of regulatory filings and required financial reports.
• Design and implement effective risk-management frameworks.
• Partner with compliance, risk, and operational leaders to address emerging risks.

1. Audits

• Manage relationships with external and internal auditors. Oversee coordination of financial statement audits.
• Oversee preparation and filing applicable customer and organizational state and federal filings.
• Ensure timely remediation of audit findings and recommendations.

1. Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Establish performance expectations and measurable goals for staff.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration throughout the organization.

1. Other duties as assigned.

Supervision

1. Director of Accounting (direct report)
2. Manager of Accounting (indirect report)
3. Senior Accountant (indirect report)
4. Staff Accountant (indirect report)
5. Accounting Clerk (indirect report)

Requirements

1. 8+ years of progressive finance and accounting leadership experience, preferably with a bank, credit union, CDFI, or regulated financial services organization. Non-profit experience preferred. At least 3 years of senior leadership experience.B.S. degree in accounting, finance or economics (required); master’s degree in finance, business administration, accounting, or related field (preferred) or equivalent combination of education and experience.

1. Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or similar designation (preferred).

1. Demonstrated integrity and commitment to operating ethically, maintaining confidentiality and ensuring legal/regulatory compliance.

1. Strategic orientation supplemented with analytical rigor, problem-solving skills, and sound judgment. Able to interpret data, evaluate risk, make sound business decisions, and create actionable strategies.

1. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Able to present financial matters to both financial and non-financial audiences.

1. Technical knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), banking frameworks and processes, and internal control design and effectiveness.

1. Demonstrated ability to build cohesion, accountability, and productivity within team environments.

1. Appreciation for the mission, vision, and values of the Mission Investment Fund and the ELCA.

1. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism.

1. Proficiency with financial systems, reporting/analytics platforms, and business intelligence and analytics tools.

1. 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.

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 overnight, domestic travel by plane, car, or van. 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.

Notice of Business Requirement

Employees and selected contractors that are, as a part of their role, required to work in MIF banking systems will need to be provisioned access in the core banking system (called FISERV DNA). This allows system credentials and approved system security profiles to be created. Consistent with industry standards, personal information and data are required to set up new users in the system. An employee or contractor's consent to release this information is required and employment offers are contingent upon this release being signed.

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.