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# Senior Director, Core Systems and Applications

- **Company:** Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- **Location:** Chicago, IL, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $170,000.0 - $220,000.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Windows, Business Software, Microsoft Outlook, Computer Literacy, Extract Transform Load (ETL), Data Security, Identity and Access Management, IT Management, Microsoft Office, Software Tools, Salesforce.Com, Systems Integration, Information Technology
- **Published:** August 27, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.com/job/us7f89dd3313221b70b894638f3efbed75/eaa

## About the Role

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.
 2. Minimum of 8 to 10 years in technology leadership roles, including vendor and staff management, in banking, credit union, or financial services.
 3. Track record of stabilizing, integrating, and right-sizing systems in a smaller or mid-sized organization, matching technology investment and complexity to the actual size and needs of the business. Experience defining and running a lean, fit-for-purpose technology operating model, including roles, governance, and sourcing decisions sized to the organization.
 4. Working knowledge of system integration and data movement, including sound controls and auditability for money-movement processes.
 5. Experience establishing data security, identity and access management, and appropriate security and access controls in a regulated financial environment, protecting sensitive financial and member information.
 6. Experience leading a team of IT professionals.
 7. Effective vendor, contract, and technology budget management, including holding partners accountable to service levels and deliverables.
 8. Strong cross-functional partnership with operations, lending, and compliance, and effective coordination with ELCA churchwide IT.
 9. Sound judgment and problem-solving, with a bias toward simplification and dependable execution over added scope.
 10. Willingness to be available for occasional after-hours support of critical systems, as needed.
 11. Appreciation for the mission, vision, and values of the ELCA and Mission Investment Fund.
 12. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism.
Required or preferred education, certifications, or licenses:

 - Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field.
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.

## Description

The Senior Director, Core Systems and Applications leads the strategy, delivery, and day-to-day leadership of the core banking platforms and business applications that run MIF and the ELCA Federal Credit Union. Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, this role makes the technology decisions and roadmap that keep both entities' systems stable, integrated, secure, and appropriately scaled to the size and needs of the organization. The emphasis is on disciplined execution and fit-for-purpose solutions: making and carrying out the platform and integration decisions in front of us, simplifying and streamlining technology where appropriate, partnering with operations, lending, and compliance, and coordinating with ELCA IT on shared infrastructure and services, to deliver dependable, robust, secure platforms and technology. This role leads a small application support team and manages the vendor relationships that underpin the technology environment, as well as manages the
relationship with ELCA IT.
This is a full-time, regular, exempt (salaried), Chicago-based hybrid position. This position has responsibilities that will require being in the office on a weekly basis. This could mean 2-3 days most weeks and possibly more days when meetings and other events are happening that this position supports.
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. Lead and Deliver Core Systems and Applications: Leads the operation, support, and roadmap for the core banking platforms and business applications that run MIF and the ELCA Federal Credit Union, including Fiserv DNA, CU*Answers/CU*BASE, Salesforce, and supporting applications. Keeps systems stable, well-supported, and integrated, and delivers dependable results prioritized to the organization's actual needs.
 2. Manage and Implement Platform and Architecture Decisions: Resolves and carries out the core platform, account-structure, and integration decisions needed to move the technology environment forward. Maintains a clear, right-sized technology roadmap, and brings open decisions to resolution with operations and leadership rather than letting them stall.
 3. Integration, Data, Security, and Controls
Oversees system integrations and money-movement processes with sound controls and auditability, and reduces manual or unsupported workarounds. Responsible for data security and access controls across systems, including identity and access management and role-based access controls, to protect sensitive financial and member information. Ensures technology operations are well-controlled and meet both ELCA's IT and security standards and the standards expected by the organization's regulators and auditors.

 4. Vendor Management, Budget, and a Right-Sized Operating Model: Manages core and application vendor relationships, contracts, and service levels for value and continuity, and manages the technology operating and capital budget, including technology purchases and cost, value, and risk tradeoffs. Aligns the team, tools, and sourcing to the size of the organization, and simplifies or consolidates where systems or processes have grown beyond what the organization needs.
 5. Lead the Team and Partner with ELCA IT: Leads, develops, and sets priorities for the applications team, keeping it focused and right sized for the work. Serves as the primary liaison with the ELCA churchwide organization's IT leadership and team, monitoring the services covered by the shared services agreement and ensuring effective coordination of MIF and FCU technology activities.
 6. Other duties as assigned


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