The Global Leadership Network (GLN) is an $18 million organization whose purpose is to introduce more people to Jesus by serving pastors, equipping churches, and inspiring leaders. Firm in their conviction that everyone wins when the leader gets better, the GLN provides its flagship event, the Global Leadership Summit, as well as other leadership development tools for pastors and leaders to impact their churches and their communities.
The new Vice President of Technology will lead the team responsible for the technology capabilities, operations, data security, and platforms required to achieve the GLN’s missional objectives. He or she will develop and implement strategic objectives, counsel the organization on technology trends, opportunities and solutions, and provide international support.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Founded in 1992 as the Willow Creek Association (WCA), the Global Leadership Network serves pastors, churches, and Kingdom-oriented leaders through world-class leadership experiences and resources. GLN is committed to a singular idea: that inspired, encouraged and equipped Christian leaders create thriving local churches and communities where more and more people come to know and follow Jesus.
Hosting the world’s largest annual leadership event, the Global Leadership Summit (GLS), the GLN reaches hundreds of thousands of leaders around the world. In addition, the GLN has several targeted ministry initiatives to reach key populations, including:
GLS Next Gen reaching 26,000 global leaders between ages 12–22.
Prisons Ministry serving inmates in more than 200 facilities in the U.S.
Ministry Connect delivering the Summit to at-risk populations through partner organizations.
Women Leaders Network encouraging leaders in cohorts around the world.
While the GLN seeks to inspire and equip Kingdom-oriented leaders in all spheres, the organization’s focus and passion is the pastor of a local church. They believe that the local church is the hope of the world. God ordained the church to be the body of Christ as each one of us are called out to live as people of faith in our world.
THE GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
The Global Leadership Summit (GLS) is a two-day, world-class leadership event attended by 60,000+ leaders at 400 sites (primarily churches) throughout the United States. The Summit is also translated into 50+ languages and held in over 800 sites in 110 countries reaching over 240,000 international leaders from September to April. GLS is a resource for both the local church—to raise up their leaders, engage seekers, and drive transformation in their communities—and local business leaders to grow in their innovation and leadership. The GLN also provides tailored experiences and resources to inspire and equip pastors/church leaders, the next generation, women leaders, and leaders in prisons.
The GLS has featured some of the most gifted and experienced global leaders in the world as key speakers, including Craig Groeschel, Patrick Lencioni, Erwin McManus, Andy Stanley, Carly Fiorina, Jeffrey Immelt, John Ortberg, former President George W. Bush, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, John Maxwell, Gary Haugen, Seth Godin, Albert Tate, Ron Howard, Jossy Chacko, Bob Iger, Tony Dungy, Jack Welch, Christine Caine, Louie Giglio, Henry Cloud and Jim Collins—to name a few.
Recognized as a transformative experience, the GLS provides immeasurable potential to all those who attend, both in-person and virtually.
LEADERSHIP, STAFF & STRUCTURE
In May 2023, David Ashcraft was named as President/CEO of the Global Leadership Network. Prior to coming to GLN, David led LCBC Church in Pennsylvania for 32 years, growing it from 150 attendees in 1991 to become the largest church in the northeastern United States, averaging 22,000 each Sunday across 19 sites. GLN’s COO, Robert Yi—to whom this position reports—has an MBA from Wharton and a JD from Loyola as well as a senior leadership background at Westfall Gold and the Evangelical Christian Credit Union (now known as AdelFi).
Under David’s leadership, a six-member Executive Team leads GLN’s day-to-day operations and 55 staff. The organization’s 2024 budget anticipates $18 million in revenue, with 50% from Summit registrations, 40% from contributions, and 10% from sponsorships and products. Their U.S. office is located in South Barrington, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago.
POSITION PROFILE
Job Title: Vice President of Technology
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Location: Chicago/Hybrid
PURPOSE
The Vice President of Technology is responsible for the technology capabilities, operations, and platforms required to achieve the Global Leadership Network’s missional objectives. The VP of Technology will develop and implement strategic objectives and counsel the organization on technology trends, opportunities and solutions. This person leads a Technology team of four and will work alongside team members, taking on any task needed to accomplish the organization’s goals.
HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE
This position currently has a hybrid schedule which includes working at home on Monday and Friday and being in the office Tuesday through Thursday two (2) weeks per month.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy. Develops and executes technology strategies, plans, and budgets designed to achieve organizational objectives. Implements the technology roadmap by driving the evaluation, selection, acquisition and integration of key systems.
Technology Management and Security. Manages the maintenance, upgrade, and support of GLN’s technology platform. Ensures GLN’s technology platform is secure from data breaches, cyber-attacks, and other risks. Drives the continuous delivery of technology services through appropriate controls, disaster recovery plans, effective back-up systems, and regular IT audits. Develops and enforces technology policies and standards that support GLN’s growth and continuity of operations and business systems.
IT Support and Technology Projects. Evaluates, prioritizes, and responds to technology requests from various teams ranging from day-to-day operation support, troubleshooting, system enhancements, etc. Ensures the technology projects are aligned to GLN’s priorities and are completed in a manner that supports GLN’s goals.
International Support. Works with GLN’s international ministry to provide advice and support regarding global technology needs.
Team Leadership. Recruits, interviews, hires, and manages team leaders. Oversees the activities of the team and ensures alignment to team and organizational goals. Develops and supports team members and manages performance.
Organizational Leadership. Provides cross-functional leadership that drives effective implementation of GLN’s strategic plan. Builds collaborative working relationships with other GLN leaders and team members. Demonstrates and supports the desired organizational values and is a champion of GLN’s culture.
Actively participates in one-on-one meetings with manager, team meetings, all-staff meetings, and cross-functional meetings, as needed.
Complete other related duties as assigned.
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
Core Competencies
Servant Leadership
Collaboration
Problem Solving
Planning & Organizing
Communication
Change Management
In-depth knowledge of technology trends, including those in security
Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Excellent project management skills with demonstrated ability to coordinate communications, objectives, and tasks between internal and external resources.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Information Systems or equivalent.
Minimum ten (10) years of information technology experience.
Minimum five (5) years of management experience.
Extensive experience implementing and integrating complex systems.
Prior experience attending the Global Leadership Summit is ideal.
A vital relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and an active participant of a local church that holds to a historic, orthodox understanding of biblical Christianity.
ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES
God-Honoring Excellence—We give our absolute best to steward personal skills, gifts and experiences with the people and resources available.
Unapologetically Christ-Centered—Our faith in Jesus Christ is central to all we think, say, and do, calling forth devotion and passion that influences every area of our lives and leadership.
Humility—We can learn from anyone, putting others first as we influence and serve.
Innovation—We pursue new opportunities and fresh ideas to radically multiply our vision as we embrace change and drive for continuous, unlimited improvement.
Transformational Leadership—We are driven by the belief that leadership changes everything and when people commit to grow their leadership, businesses work for good, communities are transformed, and churches thrive.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary: Commensurate with responsibilities and size of the organization, plus annual discretionary bonus.
Benefits: Health Insurance, Life Insurance, STD, LTD, 403(b) retirement plan with match. View their Benefits Summary.
Vacation: Fifteen (15) vacation days plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day off.
Relocation Expenses: Negotiable.
Travel: Regular travel to the office (Chicago suburbs) and additional domestic and international trips, as needed.
To learn more about the Global Leadership Network, please visit their website at www.globalleadership.org and view their 2022 Annual Report.
After prayerfully reviewing this information, if you sense this position opportunity could be a good fit for you, please click on the APPLY NOW button below. Or if you know someone who may be interested and a fit, please share this opportunity using the social media and email buttons at the top of this page.