PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting to the Chief of Strategy and Staff, the Senior Advisor-Policy & Operations (Education and Human Services) provides guidance to the Deputy Mayor for Education on policy, strategy, and operational initiatives related to the City’s education and human services departments, programs, and efforts. Serves as the key deputy to the Deputy Mayor with specific responsibilities over Chicago Park District, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, and City Colleges of Chicago. Manages special projects and maintains internal and external relations with City departments and stakeholders in the Education and Human Services portfolio. Performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Advise and provide high level strategic support to the Deputy Mayor on effective operational management of Education and Human Services team and departments
• Serve as liaison for department heads and senior-level leadership across portfolio with a specific focus on: Chicago Park District, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, and City Colleges of Chicago (operations)
• Advise and provide high level strategic support to the Mayor and Mayor’s Office staff on education and human services related topics
• Represent Deputy Mayor at Mayoral, senior staff, and Cabinet-level meetings as needed
• Serve as Mayor’s Office liaison to City Colleges of Chicago Board of Trustees
• Manage team staff and operations, including facilitating team meetings, coordinating personnel and hiring, and directly assisting with operational needs as needed to ensure execution of day-to-day responsibilities of Education and Human Services team and departments
• Drive strategic planning and coach team members on successful implementation of all multi-year signature strategic initiatives led by Education and Human Services team
• Develop and oversee vision, goals, metrics, milestones, and key partners for a select number of multi-year signature strategic initiatives led in portfolio
• Develop relationships with key State and local representatives and work with the Mayor’s Office Intergovernmental Affairs team (IGA) to advance the Mayor’s policy agenda
• Collaborate with multiple internal and external stakeholders to develop policy briefings and external communications related to portfolio
• Assist in the planning and leading of Mayor’s Office events and meetings as assigned
• Manage special projects and other duties as assigned

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To Chief of Strategy and Staff

Direct Supervision None

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Policy or a related field
• Ten or more years of project management experience; executive-level experience strongly preferred
• Two or more years of supervisory experience required
• Prior experience and knowledge of large urban parks, library, and/or workforce development programs, policies, and landscape preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of City budget, contracting and operational processes
• Experience working with local and state government policy structures and systems
• Proven track record of effectively interacting with senior management and organizational leadership
• Ability to work strategically and collaboratively across departments
• Demonstrated willingness to take on job challenges and responsibilities when asked with reliability, responsibility, and dependability
• Knowledge of supervisory and management methods, practices, and procedures
• Knowledge of city and department ordinances, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations
• Leadership skills that demonstrate a willingness and ability to lead and provide direction as necessary and appropriate
• Ability to apply critical thinking skills to identify the strengths and weaknesses of issues and provide solutions or alternative approaches to the issues
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational, planning, and complex problem-solving skills
• Ability to pay careful attention to details and exhibit thoroughness in completing work tasks
• Ability to negotiate and to bring individuals together to reconcile differences
• Ability to think strategically in the long-term and to consider the costs and benefits of potential actions followed by specific decisions
• Ability to work with and relate to a culturally diverse student body, faculty and staff
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)