The LCMS Board of Directors (BOD) seeks nominations for the position of LCMS chief operating officer (COO), based at the Synod’s International Center (IC) in St. Louis.
Organization profile
In grateful response to God’s grace, and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and world.
The BOD is vested with the general management and supervision of the Synod’s business and legal affairs, including the review and coordination of the policies and directives of the Synod authorized by its Constitution, Bylaws and resolutions and of the plans and policies of the Synod’s boards and commissions. It provides for the administration, financial and operational support, and accountability of the activities of corporate Synod and the oversight and coordination of the same for the broader Synod, as all together pursue the objectives of the Synod as stated in Const. Art. III: to conserve and promote the unity of the true faith; strengthen the witness of Synod members; provide for church worker training and care, works of mercy and Christian education; develop resources that support confessional unity, uniformity and variety in responsible practices and customs; and provide for ecclesiastical supervision and protection of congregations and workers in the exercise of their duties and maintenance of their rights.
Reporting relationships
- Reports to the convention as a Synod officer
- Reports to the BOD, typically through the board chair
- Serves as part of the administrative team (Bylaw 3.5.1), which is under the leadership and oversight of the Synod president
Position summary
- The COO serves as the senior executive responsible for the oversight, coordination and integration of the organization’s operational, administrative, financial and compliance functions. Acting on behalf of the BOD and in coordination with the president, the COO ensures that all organizational activities are executed efficiently, effectively, accountably and in alignment with the Synod’s mission, governing policies and strategic priorities.
- The COO provides leadership across areas of corporate services, financial management, human resources, legal compliance and organizational infrastructure.
Essential job functions
Executive leadership and governance
- Serve as chief operating executive responsible for implementing BOD decisions and organizational strategy
- Advise and support the BOD and president on operational and financial matters
- Prepare BOD agendas, reports and materials in coordination with leadership
- Ensure compliance with governing documents (Constitution, Bylaws, policies and civil law)
- Maintain communication between the BOD and executive leadership
- Serve, unless the board designates otherwise, on the following corporate entity boards: Concordia Plan Services, Lutheran Church Extension Fund, LCMS Foundation, Concordia Publishing House
- Serve on the following international board(s)/committee(s): China Evangelical Lutheran Church – Legal Corporation (CELC–LC)
- Serve on the Commission on Handbook.
- Provide direct supervision of ~4 executives and an administrator, indirect of 7–9 director/managers and 40–114 staff in an organization with a headcount of 191 domestic, 103 international (and responsibilities with regard to universities, seminaries, entities and agencies outside corporate Synod)
Operational oversight
- Direct and coordinate, principally through executives and directors, day-to-day operations of the organization
- Lead enterprise-wide operational planning aligned with strategic goals
- Ensure collaboration across departments, entities and mission units
- Improve organizational efficiency, systems and service delivery
- Oversee facilities, event planning, procurement and administrative services
- Serve as convention/event operations executive (as applicable)
Financial leadership and stewardship
- Oversee all financial functions, including accounting, budgeting, treasury, audit and financial reporting
- Serve as treasurer, responsible for custody, disbursement and reporting of funds
- Lead budgeting process and monitor financial performance against plan
- Provide financial forecasting, analysis and strategic recommendations
- Advise leadership on financial implications of programs, investments and contracts
- Ensure strong internal controls, audit processes and regulatory compliance
- Manage banking relationships, investments and risk management programs
Compliance, legal and risk management
- Serve as corporate compliance officer
- Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory and governance standards
- Oversee corporate policies, contracts and agreements
- Liaise with legal counsel and manage legal matters and risks
- Monitor and address compliance issues across the organization
Strategic planning and organizational effectiveness
- Lead long-range planning processes and execution of strategic initiatives
- Align operational and financial plans with mission priorities
- Evaluate organizational performance and implement continuous improvement
- Foster innovation, efficiency and cross-functional collaboration
Leadership and talent management
- Provide executive oversight of key functional leaders (finance, HR, operations, etc.)
- Build and lead high-performing teams across administrative and financial functions
- Support leadership development and succession planning
- Promote organizational culture rooted in integrity, accountability and collaboration
Synod engagement
- Represent the BOD in relation to, and strengthen the BOD’s relationship with, Synodwide corporate entities; Concordia Plan Services; and Synod’s seminaries, universities and districts as to their business, property and legal aspects
- Serve as the board’s liaison to Synod boards, commissions, council, committees, agencies, partner organizations and affiliates
- Communicate clearly and effectively organizational performance, priorities and impact, especially as relates to support of the Synod’s unrestricted support through the districts
Position qualifications
- Must, as an officer of the Synod, be a member of a member congregation of the Synod
- Must be a layperson (not an ordained or commissioned minister)
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance or related field required
- Minimum 10 years of executive leadership experience in operations, finance or general management
- Demonstrated experience leading complex organizations and working with boards
- MBA, CPA or other advanced/professional designation preferred
- Experience in nonprofit or faith-based organizations preferred
- Experience in governance-driven or multi-entity organizations preferred
Competencies
- Strategic thinking and execution
- Financial acumen and stewardship
- Operational excellence
- Governance and compliance expertise
- Leadership and team development
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Communication and relationship building
- Integrity and ethical leadership
- Ability to drive positive change while navigating ambiguity and complex authority structures
Supervisory responsibility
- Direct oversight of finance, accounting, audit, HR, operations and administrative functions as well as non-theological, non-messaging aspects of communications and fundraising Indirect leadership across organizational departments and program areas
- Travel required (approximately 25–30%)
Nominations
Submit nominations via email to nathan.thomas@lcms.org or by mail to Nathan Thomas, LCMS Department of Human Resources, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7297.
The deadline for nominations for this position is Dec. 15.
Posted Oct. 1, 2026
