In collaboration with the Executive Team, the Senior Director of Programs will articulate, implement, and operationalize the strategic vision and mission of the agency. The Senior Director of Programs will oversee the direction and scope of all Erie House programs and related services. This includes the evaluation of programs to ensure exceptional services to participants, mentoring and professional development to program leadership, and drive quality management activities. This position serves as a member of the Executive Team, Leadership Team, and is the staff liaison to the Board of Director’s Program Committee.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Program Development:

Develop vision and strategy for program innovation through the ongoing pursuit of new ideas and service improvement in collaboration with program leadership.
Ensure programmatic support in comprehensive quality assurance systems to measure program outcomes and performance.
In support of and in collaboration with the Development Department, seek new funding sources and address opportunities to increase agency revenue through effective cultivation and stewardship activities. Develop and/or assist with funder relationships as needed.
Collaborate with leadership to support the annual program budget preparation process.

Children & Youth: We work with young people from infancy through high school graduation to equip them with tools and resources to build a bright future, including educational programs and activities, mentoring, and family support.
Adult Education & Training: Through foundational academic and professional programs like English as a Second Language (ESL), civics education, professional training and workforce development, and more we are providing the tool adults need for long-term success.
Community Resources & Empowerment: We equip our community with the tools and information needed to thrive in the face of adversity, including “Know Your Rights” trainings and direct outreach.
Mental Health & Community Wellness: Erie House makes a healthy lifestyle more accessible with workshops, support groups, and counseling, all through a trauma-informed and culturally- sensitive lens.
Legal Services: An in-house team of attorneys and legal representatives help their clients navigate the US citizenship and immigration system, keeping families together, and allowing them to achieve a greater sense of security.

Internal Leadership

Foster a collegial environment among programs and consistently demonstrate the value of teamwork in achieving intra-program collaboration and service excellence.
Collaborate with the other Senior Directors to ensure a strong partnership between the programs and agency Supportive Departments.
Supervise program directors, who are responsible for the daily operation of their programs and staff performance. Provide coaching, performance and developmental feedback to all program directors in pursuit of their professional and personal development while advancing the agency’s mission.
Supervise Data & Outcomes Administrator, who is responsible for managing the organization’s customer relationship management (CRM) platform. Utilize data to assess program effectiveness with a focus on long-term growth, sustainability and program refinement.
Maintain a comprehensive perspective of the work, recognize the interconnections between all elements of the organization and understand how they impact each other.

External Leadership

Support the Executive Director in executing the agency’s advocacy agenda.
Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders to support Erie House’s mission and impact on the communities it serves.
Collaborate with partners to enhance program reach, resource and impact.
In coordination with the Executive Director, serves as spokesperson and agency representative to external organizations, funders, media, and other stakeholders.
May serve in a leadership role or as a participant in city-wide or area organizations, collaborations, and community efforts to advance agency’s mission.
Other Related Duties as Assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in social service, human services, urban planning or equivalent field.
Minimum of 7 years of management / program experience in a social service or a community organization.
Minimum 7 years supervisory experience.
Experience or exposure in early childhood development and education is preferred.
Superior communication skills, written & oral.
Bilingual/Bicultural-English/Spanish, strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience and achievement in successful proposal writing, program oversight, research, assessment, and community organizing/advocacy.
Demonstrated experience and achievement in working with a quality assurance system to measure outcomes and overall performance.
Demonstrated experience in budget preparation and fiscal management.
Demonstrated knowledge of community and public policy issues, and a commitment to social justice.
Able to work flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekend hours.
Highly developed organizational skills and able to manage multiple priorities in order to produce results in a short amount of time.

Personal Characteristics

Visionary; Broad and comprehensive knowledge of all programmatic matters and the vision required to steer them into the future.
Demonstrated excellent interpersonal relationship skills and ability to work effectively with others.
Ability to motivate and lead individuals and groups, experience with effective change management.
Must be diplomatic, flexible and committed to excellence and inclusion.
Resolves conflicts productively and engages others, as appropriate, in decision making.
Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with the entire Erie House community including staff, parents, board members, nonprofit sector and community.

Team Member Benefits

Compensation: $115,000 / salary.
Work / life integration.

Generous paid time off.

(examples below for full-time employment).
12 accrued sick days per year.
3 personal days.
Paid birthday off.
8 paid holidays, including Juneteenth.
In addition to above paid holidays, paid week off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
Vacation:

Year 1 = 8 days.
Year 2 = 13 days.
Year 3 + = 20 days.

Access to alternative and flexible work schedules and personal leave, where possible.
Two-weeks fully paid Parental Leave, for eligible employees.
Time off for school conferences and activities as well as bereavement leave.
Professional Development

Employer-sponsored learning and development programs.
Paid day off annually for personal professional development.
Tuition Assistance & Debt Relief Program, as budget allows.
DEI Council-sponsored education and engagement series.

Wellness support

Employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Voluntary life and AD&D and short and long-term disability.
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical, vision and dependent care.
403b with employer match.
Employee Assistance Program.
Yoga, Zumba and Book Club, when onsite.

Management / Exempt.

Erie Neighborhood House is dedicated to creating a workforce that promotes and supports diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals without discrimination. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact us at [email protected].

NO TELEPHONE CALLS PLEASE!
MUST BE A MEMBER OF AFSCME OR JOIN AFTER 30 DAYS.
ERIE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
ACCREDITED BY NAEYC & NATIONAL AFTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
RECOGNIZED BY DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
UNITED WAY MEMBER.

About Erie Neighborhood House

Since 1870, Erie Neighborhood House has provided the most comprehensive support immigrant and low-income families in Chicago need to thrive and has constantly evolved to meet their needs. Today, Erie House is a modern social services nonprofit with programming and resources for children & youth, mental health & community wellness, adult education & training, legal services, and more.