Job Opportunities

Church Administrator

Full Time

Applications may be sent to: adminsc@fbcdecatur.com

Position Summary

The Church Administrator provides strategic and operational leadership for the church and all of its operating units, working closely with the Senior Pastor, Deacons, key committees, ministry leaders, staff, and congregation.

In addition to the church, FBCD operates and manages First School (a daycare), First Camp (an after-school care and summer camp) and a senior adult ministry, and provides space for roughly 80 renting tenants, generating a total annual operating budget of approximately $4.4 million. FBCD also manages two endowments totaling over $4 million. The Administrator is responsible for helping the church fulfill its mission and long-term goals by providing effective oversight of finances, personnel, facilities, policies, administration, and organizational planning. This position serves as a trusted liaison among church leadership, staff, ministry partners, vendors, renters, and other organizations using church facilities.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Partner with the Senior Pastor and church leadership to guide, direct, and manage critical administrative and operational functions.

• Serve as a key staff liaison to the Deacons, Coordinating Committee, Finance, Personnel, Building & Grounds, Missions, Nominating, Stewardship, and other committees and advisory groups.

• Help develop, implement, and monitor the church's long-term strategic plan and annual Ministry Action Plan (MAP), goals, and budgets.

• Prepare agendas, reports, and recommendations for church leadership and committees and help ensure decisions are effectively and consistently implemented.

• Participate in staff meetings and promote collaboration among pastoral staff, support staff, ministry leaders, affiliated organizations, and volunteers.

Finance & Administration

• Work with the Director of Administration & Finance and Finance Committee to develop budgets, monitor financial performance, manage expenditures, and address emerging financial needs.

• Work with the Personnel Committee to develop the annual Ministry Action Plan (MAP) Personnel Budget, handle human resource needs of roughly 100 employees, and ensure employment compliance requirements.

• Provide administrative oversight for the church and affiliated ministries and organizations, including First School, First Camp, Legacy Ministry, the Foundation, and church endowments, as appropriate.

• Maintain current bylaws, policies, procedures, personnel policies, and employee handbooks; and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

• Serve as a liaison with banks, auditors, attorneys, insurance providers, consultants, building and grounds contractors, and other professional and financial partners.

• Assist with funding strategies for major capital and facility needs, including loans or other financing when approved by church leadership and/or the church congregation as required by the bylaws.

Human Resources & Personnel

• Oversee the processes of hiring, onboarding, and compliance for the pastoral, and support staff of FBCD.

• Coordinate with the Personnel Committee and appropriate search Committees in hiring new staff.

• Work with First School and First Camp leadership, as needed, for personnel issues.

• Ensure current job descriptions, annual goals, performance evaluations, staffing plans, compensation structures, and personnel policies are in place.

• Oversee personnel records and oversee payroll, employee benefits, insurance, and related human-resource functions.

• Provide thoughtful supervision, accountability, encouragement, and development of staff while fostering a healthy culture of collaboration and service.

Facilities, Operations & Risk Management

• Oversee the Building & Grounds function and the maintenance, safety, security, and efficient use of the church campus.

• Coordinate major renovation, maintenance, roofing, HVAC, elevator, solar, and other capital projects, including contractors, budgets, timelines, and communication with affected staff, members, and tenants.

• Manage facility-use agreements, rentals, event scheduling, and relationships with long-term renters and other organizations using church property.

• Seek opportunities to increase appropriate facility utilization and rental revenue while preserving the church's ministry priorities.

• Ensure adequate property, liability, workers' compensation, and other insurance coverage and address identified safety or risk-management concerns.

Ministry & Community Support

The Administrator supports the church's ministry objectives by helping pastoral, support, and program staff evaluate priorities, strengthen collaboration among ministries, improve member engagement, and respond to emerging needs. The role will also support marketing, communications, estate-planning initiatives, Foundation activities, archival preservation, and other strategic opportunities that advance the church's mission. The Administrator should be prepared to address the ongoing and unexpected issues associated with managing a complex, multi-million-dollar church operation.

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Attributes

• A personal Christian faith and commitment to the mission and goals of the church and its component units.

• Minimum of five years of supervisory or comparable administrative/financial leadership experience

• College degree required (graduate degree preferred).

• Strong organizational, financial, administrative, communication, delegation, and problem-solving skills. Strong work ethic.

• Ability to work effectively with pastors, staff, committees, volunteers, congregants, vendors, and community partners.

• Strategic thinker who is goal-oriented, growth-oriented, detail-oriented, collaborative, and capable of balancing vision with practical implementation.

• A wise, experienced, objective, and trustworthy presence who can provide both partnership and appropriate oversight in support of the church's mission.