Director of Service Development – Operations

Lakewood Church

. Provide strategic and operational leadership for Lakewood Church services, special services, ministry environments, and the Service Team Ministry .

Posted 10/8/2026full-timeHouston • Texas • United StatesLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates strong leadership and operational planning capabilities within a ministry context, focusing on team development, effective communication, and the implementation of service standards and procedures. Proven ability to manage complex events and coordinate across multiple departments while fostering a positive and accountable team environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Operational PlanningTeam DevelopmentService Standards ImplementationVolunteer Recruitment and TrainingCross-Department Coordination

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Project ManagementOperational Systems DevelopmentEvent OperationsData EvaluationStaffing Models

Soft Skills

LeadershipProblem-SolvingInterpersonal CommunicationAttention to DetailGuest Service

Tools & Technologies

Planning CenterMicrosoft OfficeDigital Communication PlatformsVirtual Meeting Platforms

Industry Keywords

Ministry OperationsService PlanningEvent CoordinationVolunteer ManagementChurch Management

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Unity

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide strategic and operational leadership for Lakewood Church services, special services, ministry environments, and the Service Team Ministry
Lead operational planning and readiness for weekend services, special services, conferences, and church-wide events
Develop and maintain service plans, procedures, schedules, staffing models, and communication systems
Coordinate Service Team Ministry staffing and volunteer coverage
Anticipate operational needs, identify gaps, and coordinate solutions before and during services and events
Establish communication, escalation, and accountability practices
Lead, develop, and empower Service Team Ministry staff and volunteer leaders
Develop and implement volunteer recruitment, onboarding, training, scheduling, leadership development, engagement, and retention strategies
Oversee Planning Center and related systems for scheduling, staffing, communication, and ministry coordination
Evaluate staffing models and volunteer deployment practices
Establish operational standards, processes, checklists, and best practices
Evaluate service execution, ministry protocols, staffing practices, and operational processes using observation, data, feedback, and measurable outcomes
Identify operational challenges and implement improvements for effectiveness, efficiency, consistency, and scalability
Develop and test new approaches to service operations, team deployment, communication, and ministry practices
Monitor operational performance and advise ministry leadership on emerging needs, risks, and improvement opportunities
Partner with Safety, Security, Facilities, Events, and ministry teams on safety, emergency response, crowd-flow, and operational procedures
Develop and coordinate operational training for staff, ministry leaders, and volunteers
Ensure Service Team leaders and volunteers understand procedures, expectations, and emergency response responsibilities
Manage assigned budgets, equipment, supplies, and ministry resources
Develop systems and service standards supporting a welcoming and consistent guest experience
Partner with ministry leaders to address service-related barriers and operational challenges
Collaborate across departments to promote unity, consistency, and effectiveness
Support initiatives advancing Lakewood Church’s vision and mission
Provide leadership, coaching, and development to staff, volunteer leaders, and project teams
Support hiring, onboarding, performance management, and ongoing development of assigned staff
Foster a positive, respectful, accountable, and ministry-focused team environment
Perform other related duties as assigned
Attend Church services and classes, serve in ministry or as a Prayer Partner, and participate in community outreaches

Requirements

What you’ll need

Uncompromised commitment to Lakewood Church’s vision, values, and core beliefs
Demonstrated Christ-like character and spiritual maturity
Strong leadership and team-development skills in a complex ministry environment
Strong operational planning, organizational, and project management skills
Ability to develop and implement effective systems, procedures, staffing models, and operational standards
Ability to coordinate across multiple departments, ministry teams, staff members, and volunteers
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
Ability to anticipate needs, respond to changing circumstances, and resolve operational challenges
Ability to recruit, train, coach, develop, and empower staff and volunteer leaders
Ability to evaluate operations using observation, feedback, data, and measurable outcomes
Strong interpersonal, communication, and guest service skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities and high-activity ministry environments while maintaining attention to detail and service excellence
Proficiency with Planning Center or similar church management and scheduling platforms
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and applicable digital communication and virtual meeting platforms
College degree preferred or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience
Minimum five (5) years of related experience in ministry operations, service planning, event operations, organizational leadership, or a related field
Demonstrated experience leading staff and volunteer teams
Experience supporting large-scale church services, conferences, events, or similarly complex operations preferred
Experience developing operational systems, training programs, procedures, and service standards preferred
Required to belong to Lakewood Church as part of its faith community
Must maintain a lifestyle consistent with the Scriptures
Must communicate the Church’s beliefs and mission to congregants

Benefits

Comp & perks

Ability to work with or without reasonable accommodation in accordance with applicable laws
Regular attendance at Church services and classes
Opportunities to serve as a Prayer Partner or volunteer in any ministry of the Church
Opportunities to serve the community through local outreaches when needed by the Church