Job Description

Portico Benefit Services, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) , has been entrusted for more than 200 years with caring for those who serve the church.

Portico Benefit Services, a ministry of the ELCA, is one of the nation’s largest faith‑based employee benefits providers, supporting the financial, physical, and emotional well‑being of more than 51,000 members and 5,000 sponsoring organizations nationwide. Portico provides retirement, health, disability, survivor, and flexible benefit plans along with holistic well‑being resources to support members and sponsoring employers across the United States. Portico manages and administers approximately $9.3 billion in net assets across retirement, health, disability, survivor, and related benefit plans

Our mission is clear: Enhancing lives. Strengthening ministry. Together for life.

As a church benefits organization, Portico operates at the intersection of faith, financial stewardship, and long‑term sustainability , serving pastors, deacons, lay leaders, and faith-based organizations nationwide.

Portico is seeking a committed and mission‑aligned individual to serve as a Director on its Board of Trustees , supporting the long‑term stewardship and strategic direction of the organization.

Key role attributes:

• Board with responsibilities extending across the entire ELCA ecosystem in the United States.
• Three‑year term , renewable twice (for a maximum of nine years).
• Contributes to governance that balances mission, financial sustainability, and member well‑being .
• Partners with fellow trustees, executive leadership, and ELCA stakeholders to guide Portico’s strategic, financial, and operational future.

ELCA Lutheran Requirement

• Because Portico is an ELCA ministry with deep theological and organizational ties to the church, all trustees must be members of an ELCA congregation in good standing. *This faith‑based requirement ensures trustees bring both mission understanding and commitment to the values that shape our work.

Key Responsibilities of a Portico Trustee

Board members serve as stewards of Portico’s mission, financial integrity, and long‑term sustainability. Core responsibilities include:

1. Fiduciary Leadership

• Uphold the duties of care, loyalty, and obedience , ensuring decisions are mission‑aligned and support the long‑term viability of Portico’s benefit plans.
• Review and approve Portico's annual operating budget, long‑term planning frameworks, and capital investments.
• Monitor investment strategies and financial performance, ensuring prudent management of member assets.
• Assess enterprise‑wide risk (e.g., regulatory, operational, financial, strategic) and support mitigation efforts.

2. Strategic Guidance

• Provide governance oversight of Portico’s Five Diamond Strategy , including benefit optimization, technology modernization, innovation, scalable growth, and culture evolution.
• Engage with leaders across the ELCA to understand emerging needs and evolving ministry contexts.
• Support strategic transformation efforts to ensure Portico remains competitive, member‑centric, and operationally strong.

3. Mission Stewardship

• Ensure Portico’s work advances the church’s calling to care for those who serve.
• Sustain a governance culture that values diversity, integrity, stewardship, and service.
• Provide insight on trends within congregations, synods, and ministries to help shape Portico’s future planning.

4. Board Culture & Effective Governance

• Prepare thoroughly for board and committee meetings, contributing informed perspectives and asking questions grounded in mission and fiduciary responsibility.
• Serve on at least one standing committee (e.g., Finance & Audit, Governance, Investments and Corporate Responsibility, Services & Solutions).
• Support a collaborative, high‑trust board culture reflective of Portico’s commitment to excellence and clarity.

Qualifications & Experience Sought

We welcome candidates who bring a combination of professional expertise , faith‑centered motivation , and strategic governance capability .

Ideal candidates will demonstrate:

Required

• Active membership in an ELCA congregation .
• Commitment to Portico’s mission and the well‑being of those who serve the church.
• Ability to understand complex financial, operational, and strategic topics.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and willingness to make decisions with organization‑wide impact.
• Capacity to serve a time‑committed governance role (approx. 4–6 meetings per year, plus committee work).

Preferred Professional Backgrounds

• Prior Board Experience
• Based on our Board Composition and Constitution, preference for West Coast Based.
• Understanding of Carver Model for Board Governance
• Substantive experience in at least one of the following areas:
• Finance, investment management, accounting, or actuarial expertise.
• Health care, insurance, or employee benefits experience.
• Technology modernization, data strategy, cybersecurity, or customer experience.
• Organizational transformation, governance, legal, HR, or enterprise risk management.
• Executive leadership within faith‑based or nonprofit organizations.

What Makes Serving on Portico’s Board Meaningful

• Influence the well‑being and financial security of more than 50,000 ELCA leaders and their families .
• Contribute to a mission‑driven ministry that blends faith, stewardship, and innovation .
• Support the evolving needs of a changing church through responsible governance and commitment to sustainability.
• We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive board. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including individuals from historically underrepresented communities.

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