He spent the early years of his career as an instructor, professor, and director of the choir at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota (1936–1940); the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis-St. Paul (1940–1941); and Concordia Collegiate Institute in Bronxville, New York. In 1948, Hoffmann helped found the LCMS Department of Public Relations in New York City and served as its director until 1963.
Hoffmann began his career as an instructor, professor, and choir director at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota (1936–1940), then the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis-St. Paul (1940–1941), and finally Concordia Collegiate Institute in Bronxville, New York. In 1948, he helped establish the LCMS Department of Public Relations in New York City and served as its director until 1963.