Director of Community Engagement

Chicago, IL, United States

The Director of Community Engagement will provide strategic leadership for the Community Engagement department, aligning efforts with the organization’s strategic plan, annual goals, funder requirements, and innovative practices. The role entails supervising the Community Engagement division staff, including four (4) direct reports (Operations Manager and three (3) Regional Managers). The Director will be accountable for the outcomes in the NHS neighborhoods, suburban areas, and place-based programs, directing resources to achieve annually established goals. Additionally, this position requires maintaining productive relationships with community organizations, city administrators, government agencies, and elected officials. The Director will collaborate with NHS leadership to create and sustain strategic partnerships, enhance neighborhood impact, drive engagement with NHS services, and continuously engage residents to assess neighborhood needs, issues, opportunities and aspirations.

PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Development, Planning and Delivery

Provide strategic direction, and set clear, specific goals and outcomes for each neighborhood, regional office and place-based program, ensuring alignment with NHS’s mission.

Evaluate and launch new growth opportunities for current and future neighborhood programs, projects and partnerships. Periodically reassess and modify existing neighborhood programs based on evolving economic, community or organizational needs.

Lead, motivate, and direct the Operations Manager and Regional Outreach Managers fostering a cohesive neighborhood leadership team.

Collaborate with the Resource Development, Public Grants, Contracts and Strategic Initiatives departments and external partners to identify and secure new grants and capital resources for Community Engagement activities.

Providing strategic direction and resources for staff to engage residents through neighborhood committees and counsels, trolley tours, resource fairs, classes and seminars, and other programs, activities and events.

Ensure team involvement and active participation in all relevant community development partnerships, including participation on relevant community boards, committees and associations.

Identify, research and proactively address trending issues, including relevant market data and research on the neighborhoods and issues salient to the NHS mission and neighborhoods served.

Responsible for reporting all program outcomes to the NHS leadership, appropriate government entities, funders and partners in a clear and comprehensive format, including working with Grants and IT staff to design appropriate program outcomes indicators and reporting metrics, as well as Marketing and Communications staff to determine compelling methods for communicating NHS impact on neighborhoods and families.

Provide and present qualitative and quantitative reports and analysis on programs, activities, outcomes and trends for each geography and program for the quarterly Community Engagement Committee meetings and the annual Neighborhood Assembly.

Promote cross-departmental initiatives with other NHS divisions to ensure goal alignment and seamless service delivery.

Operational and Resource Management Manage departmental staff including recruitment and selection; counseling/coaching; development and training; development plans, performance evaluations; and ongoing supervision in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.

Prepare and manage the departmental budget and budget projections.

Participate in fundraising efforts by providing input on neighborhood programs, partnerships, tours, and by writing and submitting grant proposals and reports.

Directs staff to compile and distribute accurate and timely reports measuring impact, evaluating outcomes, and addressing challenges.

Exercise fiduciary responsibility of departmental and organizational resources, ensuring fiscal accountability and contract compliance.

Performs other duties as required.

COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies: Design - Generates creative solutions.

Visionary Leadership - Mobilizes others to fulfill the vision.

Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans.

Managing People - Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities, fosters quality focus in others.

Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; adapts strategy to changing conditions.

Planning/Organizing - Sets goals and objectives; develops realistic action plans.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES Demonstrates produced results as indicated in operational and strategic plans and directions.

assesses program strengths and weaknesses, proposing actionable solutions.

Maintains a qualified, high performing staff who achieves results as indicated in annual plans, impacting neighborhoods positively.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS A bachelor’s degree in urban planning and policy, Community Development or related field of study is required, a master’s degree is preferred.

Minimum of ten years’ hands-on work with a community development corporation or similar entity is required.

Familiarity with the work of community-based lending and development institutions.

Knowledge of research and data analysis methods used in the community development industry or other social sciences is beneficial.

In-depth knowledge of Chicago neighborhoods and neighborhood institutions, with existing relationships with local community and government institutions preferred.

A creative, experienced, community development professional with an understanding of the lending and real estate development process.

Results-driven with experience working in multicultural communities.

Ability to perform essential duties satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodations made for individuals with disabilities as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Typical office environment with moderate noise level.

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