Executive Director of Communication

POSITION AVAILABLE
Executive Director of Communication

The Evangelical Covenant (ECC) is seeking an Executive Director of Communication to serve as senior leader of its communication function starting in the summer of 2013. Communication staff provide support for the communication of the church’s missional priorities to both internal and external audiences across all available channels and forms of communication, while also providing marketing and public relations support for all of Covenant Offices. The Executive Director oversees and manages the mission of the office, creating and leading a vision for communication that can fulfill and complement the needs of the ministry departments and the denomination as a whole. The position requires a high level of communication, marketing, and media expertise; team leadership; collaboration skills; and business acumen.

The ECC is a rapidly growing multiethnic denomination with 800 churches domestically with additional ministry partnerships in nearly 30 countries. See www.covchurch.org for more information. This position is located at denominational headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.

The successful candidate will have:

• A personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior;
• A commitment to the mission and values of the Evangelical Covenant Church, with an expectation of becoming a member of a local Covenant church;
• A bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university in a related field and 8 to 10 years of related experience with proven skills in team leadership, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills and desire to work in a team environment;
• Excellent project management skills; and
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

The position reports to the President of the ECC. The scope of responsibility includes:

• Leads and directs the communication of the ECC across all media channels, including but not limited to print, audio, video, Internet, mobile, and social platforms.
• Continually evaluates the effectiveness of all communication, directing changes in strategy and execution as indicated.
• Works with the President of the ECC and its other senior leaders to create focused and effective communication about the mission and identity of the church.
• Shapes and coordinates the strategic communication of all Covenant offices and departments with a clear focus on the five missional priorities of the denomination. Ensures coherence of brand and identity. Collaborates continually with subject matter experts in each area to craft messages that satisfy the needs of the church and of its various audiences and constituencies.
• Leads and directs the activities of Communication staff, and ensures their ongoing motivation and training. Advises on appropriate training and support to other Covenant Office administrators and staff that will help them communicate the church’s missional priorities.
• Manages an annual budget of $1.35 million, including revenue and expense responsibility. Seeks to increase revenue and to efficiently manage expense in service of the mission.
• Serves as editor-in-chief of The Covenant Companion and other denominational publications.
• Functions as a “press secretary” to assist the President and other senior leaders in communicating with external media.

Additional qualifications and attributes include:

• An appreciation for the history, values, and mission of the ECC.
• The ability to communicate cross-culturally and to advance communication across the diversity of the ECC.
• Marketing focus and orientation, possessing a level of theological sensitivity to be effective to specific audiences, as well as ability to direct staff in best practices for delivering specific messages to those audiences.
• A track record of managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and driving revenue.
• Record of innovation, both in use of technology and in understanding the changing needs of audiences.
• Sensitivity to the dialogue of new technology with “legacy media” and an ability to value the roles of both.
• Through ongoing study of communication, an ability to stay ahead of the curve as technology, platforms, and audiences continue to evolve.
• Decision-making ability that includes appropriate risk-taking in service of the mission.
• Editing proficiency, able to listen to staff, peers, and others and help them shape their communication for consistency and effectiveness of message, providing direction and correction as required. Ability to create content desirable but not of the highest priority.
• Record of successful team building, and ability to lead a team composed both of “digital natives” and legacy media experts.
• Ability to identify talented future staff.

The above is a summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this position. The incumbent may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in the job description.

The majority of time is spent in an office setting. This position requires the physical ability to use the telephone, computer terminal, facsimile machine, copy machine, and other related office equipment.

By Saturday, January 12, 2013, qualified candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and salary expectations via email only to: communicationsearch@covchurch.org. Also include answers to the following questions, using no more than one (1) page:

1. How have your gifts and experiences prepared you to meet the requirements of the job listed above?
2. Please provide a brief vision of the future role of communication in the life of a denomination.

Finalists will be invited to interview in person in February 2013.

Covenant Offices does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment based upon race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability. Covenant Offices will make any reasonable effort to ensure that all applicants and employees receive equal opportunity in personnel matters, including recruiting, selection, training, placement, promotion, wages and benefits, transfers, terminations, and working conditions.