Augsburg Fortress Publishers (AFP) seeks an experienced, innovative, growth-oriented, and forward-thinking business leader to serve as the next President and CEO. AFP is the publishing house for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and a multimedia company composed of five vital, creative imprints: Augsburg Fortress, Sparkhouse, Fortress Press, Beaming Books, and Broadleaf Books. As a denominational publisher, AFP creates congregational resources for Christian worship and faith formation, for spiritual growth and development, and for academic study and professional development. In the last eight years, AFP has branched into trade publishing, investing in and growing imprints producing books for children and for general readers that align with its mission.
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will build on AFP’s successes and core competencies and lead it toward a vibrant and sustainable future. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, a deep commitment to AFP’s mission as both a ministry and a business, and a vision for publishing in the future. The successful candidate will possess proven sound judgment, fiscal acumen, strong strategic skills in attaining challenging objectives, excellent communication skills with the ability to interact with constituents at all levels, and political astuteness and understanding of the intricacies of leadership in a denominational publishing house within a highly competitive environment.
Given AFP’s identity as the publishing arm of the ELCA, it is expected that the CEO will be a member of an ELCA congregation or a member of a congregation of a full communion partner.
Screening will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. Completed applications should include a resume and cover letter addressing interest and how the candidate’s experience will enable them to be successful in this role. This information should be submitted using DSG’s candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries should be directed electronically to [email protected].
Kim M. Morrisson, Ph.D., Senior Advisor
Christine Falcone, Senior Associate
The Diversified Search GroupOne Commerce Square, 2005 Market Street, Suite 3300, Philadelphia PA 19103
This is a full-time position that will be performed on site in Minnesota. The salary range is commensurate with experience and qualifications and expected to be in the range of $225,000 - $300,000.
Augsburg Fortress Publishers offers a full list of benefits, including health, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible savings account, retirement plan, supplemental life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance, and other voluntary plans. Company paid benefits provided are short-term and long-term disability, and basic life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance. Time off plans include vacation, sick, volunteer, bereavement, and paid parenting leave.
The expected start date for this position is February 2026.