THE ORGANIZATION
Custer Road United Methodist Church (CRUMC) in Plano, Texas is on a mission to help people know the love of Jesus. They accomplish that mission as a lay-driven church with a membership of 3,700 and average weekly attendance at their four worship services of 1,150 in person and 425 online. Custer Road advances their mission, vision, and values through a series of five lay committees working alongside thirty-five (35) staff and six clergy (four full-time/two part-time).
THE OPPORTUNITY
Custer Road seeks a qualified and called individual to serve as Executive Director of Operations. This pivotal role will report directly to the Senior Minister and collaborate closely with the Executive Minister.
This position will be responsible for overseeing all administrative, financial, and operational elements of the church. Direct reports will include the Director of Finance, Director of Operations, Director of Connectional & Outreach Ministries, and Business Administrator & Assistant to Senior Minister.
While business or corporate experience might provide crucial skills needed for this role, the ideal candidate will also be fluent in the language and rhythms of ministry—a collaborative, emotionally intelligent leader who is “bilingual” in both operations and ministry.
THEIR STORY
Custer Road United Methodist Church (CRUMC) began its journey in February of 1980, with 240 attendees at Thomas Elementary School. Their membership grew, leading them to Carpenter Middle School, and finally, to their current Custer Road location in March of 1983.
Despite initial construction challenges, they have expanded their facilities in six phases. Their Sanctuary was completed in 1990, followed by the dedication of their Upper Room, Christian Day School, and additional office and classroom space in 2001 and a significant Sanctuary renovation in 2006 which included the installation of a 97-rank Schantz pipe organ. In 2018, they opened a new modern worship space (The Venue) and children's ministry space. Further renovations to the Sanctuary, Student Area, Upper Room Gymnasium/Multi-purpose Room, and Care Ministry Suite were finalized in 2025.
Since their first service, where 106 adults joined, their congregation has grown to over 3,700 members. Operations are now spread across two sites: the main campus, which houses all worship services, programs, and the day school, and an off-site mission space situated 1.3 miles south of the main campus. The team consists of thirty-five (35) full and part-time staff members, excluding Day School staff, police officers, and security personnel who are present throughout the week and/or on weekends. The church is further supported by six clergy members.
The Senior Pastor has served Custer Road for nearly 12 years and 4 months, and 75% of the senior leadership team has been with the church for five or more years.
Since CRUMC’s inception, the church has had four Senior Ministers. Having been recognized for outstanding effectiveness in evangelism and church growth, Rev. Dr. Kory Knott was installed as Senior Minister 12 years ago. Dr. Knott holds degrees from Evangel University, Perkins School of Theology, and Portland Seminary, and specializes in revitalizing local churches.
WHAT THEY DO
The mission of CRUMC is “Helping People know the love of Jesus.”
CRUMC has identified their core values as Five Pillars of the church. These are the strengths central to who they are, and they reflect who God is calling them to become. While these do not exclude other ministries, they establish the church’s identity and focus:
Evangelism: They help people know the love of Jesus by proclaiming the gospel within their spheres of influence and by showing radical hospitality to visitors. They are called to be Evangelists.
Missions: They help people know the love of Jesus by becoming His hands and feet to a hurting world. They seek to fulfill the command to love their neighbor by addressing their needs.
Family Building: They help people know the love of Jesus by strengthening their families. As the home is the incubator for God’s work, they prioritize raising children in faith and strengthening the sacred institution of the family.
Disciple Making: They help people know the love of Jesus by fostering a deeper walk with Him. Following Jesus's final command, they focus on making disciples—wholly committed, life-long followers and leaders—not just converts.
Worship: Worship is a natural response to who God is. They strive to "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name" in the splendor of His holiness.
CRUMC has had a variety of worship expressions which include a student choir, chancel choir, jazz band, handbells, and solo lead performances. They currently hold five Sunday worship services: two traditional, one modern, one Spanish-speaking, and one student service on Sunday nights.
8:30 AM — Traditional service in the Sanctuary with the Revelation choir (grades 6-12)
9:45 AM — Modern service in The Venue
11:00 AM — Traditional service in the Sanctuary with adult choir and sometimes with orchestral and/or vocal ensembles
12:30 PM — Custer Road en español Spanish Service in The Venue
5:30 PM — Student Worship service and Small Groups
Community outreach has always been a vital part of the ministry. CR1 Discipleship is the cohesive strategy to grow disciples through every stage of life by leveraging the power of ministries at CRUMC. Community outreach marked the beginning of an extensive missions program, which now encompasses over 25 local mission projects.
CRUMC highly values children and have always integrated them into worship. In 2018, they completed major renovations to the elementary Sunday school wing, offering engaging, hands-on learning for kindergarten through fifth graders. Adult Sunday school has also been a cornerstone of their community. Their first adult class started just three weeks after their inaugural service with over 150 participants. Today, more than 1,000 adults participate each Sunday, fostering a "small church" feeling within their large congregation.
The church campus spans five acres, complemented by an additional three-acre parking lot conveniently located across the street. Its facilities include a Sanctuary with a seating capacity of 1,200 and a modern worship venue that accommodates 250 individuals.
The church offers various common fellowship and lounge areas, several large multi-purpose rooms, a gymnasium, and dedicated rehearsal spaces. Additionally, it includes approximately 40 classrooms designed for children, students, and adults, along with supplementary storage rooms, over 20 offices, a day school, and both indoor and outdoor children's playgrounds. Nearly every area of the campus has undergone remodeling within the past eight years and is currently in excellent condition.
As part of the unified discipleship initiative, CR1 Discipleship, CRUMC various programs including Custer Road Christian Day School (pre-school education), CRKids (birth through 5th grade), Gospel Gang Children’s Choir (ages 4-5th grades), CRStudents and Revelation Choir (6-12th grades), College/Young Adult and Adult Ministries, as well as Custer Road en Español, a Spanish-speaking, multigenerational community with discipleship, mission, and care.
OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
Opportunities
Nearly every area of the campus has undergone remodeling within the past eight years and is currently in excellent condition. The campus truly teems with life on Sunday mornings, from the many local outreach ministries to the multitude of worship expressions. The diversity of local demographics and membership have spurred diversity in worship experiences.
From The Wheelhouse (offsite missions space), and Agape, to Student Missions and Community Synergy, more than 25 local mission projects show that Custer Road congregants take hands-on missional involvement in their community seriously. Their Strategic Planning Committee is considering options to continue to expand the congregation’s collaborative outreach into the DFW area. This position will bolster their administrative capacities in order to allow further strategic, missional outreach.
The church has a collaborative, relational approach to leadership between laity and clergy, between staff and pastors, and among the pastoral staff. The team is aligned for future success.
Challenges
The immediate local demographics of Plano, Texas—the mission field of our church—are shifting and aging, much like our congregation itself. As more members of the community choose to age in place, the church has an important opportunity to support, learn from, and minister to this growing elder population. At the same time, we must also strengthen our future by attracting and engaging younger congregants, developing vibrant ministries, and expanding staff in ways that reflect and respond to the evolving realities of our neighborhood.
Since Covid, the church has experienced flat to slightly declining operational giving trends. Coupled with recent denominational changes in the UMC the trends have presented a challenge to both attendance and strategic growth.
POSITION PROFILE
The Executive Director of Operations at Custer Road United Methodist Church (CRUMC) shall be a person of genuine and deepening Christian character, willing to
grow as a loyal participant of a ministry team, able to work, communicate well, and cultivate trust with church Staff, lay leadership and members.
PURPOSE
The Executive Director of Operations shall serve as the chief administrative, operational, and financial leader for CRUMC. This position will provide strategic oversight and day-to-day leadership for all business, operational, financial, and administrative functions of CRUMC. This person ensures that CRUMC’s ministries are supported by strong systems, sound stewardship, efficient processes, and a healthy organizational culture aligned with the mission of “Helping People Know the Love of Jesus".
HOURS
The Executive Director of Operations position is a full-time exempt position and is governed by Custer Road UMC’s Employee Handbook. The expected time commitment will be 40 hours a week, and may include some evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or Sunday mornings. Compensation will be commensurate with experience.
STAFF SUPERVISION
Reports to the Senior Minister.
The Executive Director of Operations supervises the Business Administrator & Assistant to Senior Minister, Director of Finance, Director of Operations, and Director of Connectional & Outreach Ministries, as well as additional ministries as assigned.
This person is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, working alongside the Executive Minister, Clergy Staff, Staff Directors, Lay Leaders, Church Council, Staff-Parish Relations Committee, Board of Trustees, Committee on Finance, Endowment Committee, and various other ministry partners.
RESPONSIBILITIES
In conformity with Custer Road’s policies and procedures as well as those contained in the United Methodist Book of Discipline, the position responsibilities will include, but may not be limited to, those generally described below:
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP & ORGANIZATIONAL OVERSIGHT
Partner with the Senior Ministry to implement CRUMC’s strategic plan, annual ministry goals, and long-range vision.
Provide leadership for Staff culture, employee engagement, workforce planning, and cross-department collaboration.
Develop and manage organizational policies, procedures, and performance standards across all ministries and departments.
Serve as a key advisor to Clergy and Lay Leadership on organizational health, risk, staffing, and operational priorities.
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
Ensure all operational processes align with best practices, risk management standards, and compliance expectations.
Ensure the management of daily operational functions, including facilities, maintenance, security, information technology, and administrative support in partnership with Staff and the Board of Trustees.
Ensure the management of CRUMC campus scheduling, building usage, vendor contracts, and long-term facility planning in partnership with Staff and the Board of Trustees.
Ensure the management of emergency preparedness, safety protocols, insurance oversight and compliance documentation in partnership with Staff and the Board of Trustees.
FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP & STEWARDSHIP
Lead the financial strategy and management of CRUMC, including budgeting, forecasting, accounting, reporting, and cash-flow planning.
Oversee the Finance Office, ensuring strong internal controls, transparent reporting, and compliance with UM guidelines and accounting standards.
Ensure the creation and presentation of financial reports to Finance Committee, Endowment Committee, Administrative Board, and senior leadership.
Support year-end giving campaigns, stewardship strategies, and multi-year financial projections.
Ensure the management of banking relationships, investments, insurance, and major contracts. (Financial leadership responsibilities reflect expectations typical of CFO-level roles in similar organizations.)
HUMAN RESOURCES & STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Provide oversight of HR functions, including recruiting, onboarding, compensation, benefits, policies, performance management, and employee relations.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and United Methodist employment guidelines.
Champion a healthy, collaborative, mission-centered workplace culture.
Guide Directors and Managers in staff development, conflict resolution, and organizational alignment.
STRATEGIC PLANNING & MINISTRY SUPPORT
Collaborate with Clergy and ministry leaders to structure teams, budgets, and systems that support effective ministry execution.
Lead multi-year planning for staffing, technology, facilities, and resource needs.
Support major CRUMC initiatives such as capital projects, missions expansion, discipleship strategy, and community engagement through operational and financial leadership.
GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Provide direct administrative support to major governing bodies: Committee on Finance, Board of Trustees, Staff-Parish Relations Committee, Endowment Committee, Church Council, and others as needed.
Ensure that governance processes, reporting calendars, and policy implementations are timely and accurate.
Support risk management, audit activities, legal consultation, and document retention.
QUALIFICATIONS
Must be a person of deep Christian faith and integrity.
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit
Management, Finance, or related field strongly preferred.
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in Business Administration, Operations, Finance, or Executive Management.
Experience leading teams in a nonprofit, church, or mission-driven organization.
Financial management experience at a senior or CFO-equivalent level is strongly beneficial.
Strong leadership presence with the ability to build trust and motivate teams.
Exceptional financial acumen, budget development skills, and understanding of nonprofit or church finance.
Strategic thinker with a systems mindset and the ability to translate vision into operational plans.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution abilities, both verbal and written.
High integrity, confidentiality, and commitment to the mission and values of CRUMC.
Ability to collaborate with Clergy, Staff, and Lay Leaders in a faith-based environment.
Commitment to supporting the mission and ministries of CRUMC.
Ability to lead and influence in ways consistent with the values of the United Methodist tradition.
Demonstrates character, humility, and professionalism in all responsibilities.
BONUS QUALIFICATION
Fluent in English and Spanish.
Qualified and interested candidates are invited to contact Daniel Tubbs at Mission:Leadership to express interest or to learn more about this opportunity.
NEXT STEPS
To learn more about the ministry of Custer Road United Methodist Church, please visit their website at www.crumc.org. If, after prayerfully reviewing this information, you believe this role fits you well, or if you know someone you would like to recommend, please apply below or contact:
Yale Kim
Search Consultant
mobile:: (816) 810-2545
email :: yale@missionleadership.org
Dr. Rich Kidd
Managing Partner
mobile :: (757) 642–0622
email :: rich@missionleadership.org