The Senior Director is responsible for developing and actively overseeing a diverse set of strategies and initiatives as well as building the organizational knowledge, relationships, partnerships, and the team to execute on this Trust strategic program goal. This high-level position serves as the Trust’s subject matter expert in human services and is the stakeholder interface for this goal with donors, social impact organizations, and community residents. The Senior Director ensures internal collaboration and close communication across three other Trust strategic goal teams and across critical Trust functions, including philanthropic services, learning and impact and strategic communications.

Position Responsibilities:

• Develops and manages the strategic plan as it relates to the Addressing Critical Needs initiative, creating grantmaking strategies and leading change-making efforts in managing the success of the program.
• Directs budget and resources related to area of responsibility.
• Manages, coaches and supports program managers and impact coordinators
• Oversees compliance and guides activities of the Community Impact program managers and the impact coordinators, in collaboration with the learning and impact team to implement the Trust’s strategic priorities
• Plans events, annual campaigns, and convenings to engage key stakeholders, building knowledge and, in partnership with the philanthropic services team raising additional funds for the strategy
• Represents the Trust and frequently serves as the Trust’s point person for ongoing civic commitments and funder collaboratives that are aligned to the strategy.

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree in a relevant field of study is preferred
• Minimum of 7 years of related work experience, 10 years preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with community leaders and public sector partners to strengthen the delivery of human services for residents most in need of support.
• Experience working with racially and ethnically diverse and under-invested urban communities on human services.
• Experience in the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies to effect change and in promoting and contributing to a strong learning culture.
• Experience in project development and management.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to listen well, convey thoughts clearly, speak in public, and work effectively as a member of a team.
• Generate original content for the Trust’s website and social media outlets on issues impacting the human service sector.
• Demonstrated skills in facilitation, relationship building, and collaborative planning.
• Technical skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, Access)

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Trust is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Trust does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at careers@cct.org if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are fundamental to achieving our impact

The Chicago Community Trust’s vision is a Chicago region where equity, opportunity, and prosperity abound. We acknowledge the specific role discrimination and systemic barriers based on race, ethnicity, and other varied identities and differences have played in limiting opportunities for too many. A commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is at the core of who we are, the decisions we make, and the actions we take in our work to strengthen the communities we serve and advance our strategic focus to close the racial and ethnic wealth gap. Click here to learn more about our strategic plan.

The History of The Chicago Community Trust

The Chicago Community Trust was founded in 1915 by Norman and Albert Harris, father and son duo of the Harris Trust and Savings Bank (now BMO Harris Bank). The Trust was the fourth community foundation ever created. There are now 750 community foundations in Canada and the U.S.

As our region’s community foundation, the Trust unites generous donors, committed nonprofits and caring residents to effect lasting change that moves our entire region forward. Our approach centers on tackling the region’s immediate needs and addressing the root causes of deep-seated issues to realize a more prosperous future for all who call metropolitan Chicago home.

For more than 100 years, donors have entrusted their philanthropic resources and visions to our stewardship. Guided by our deep knowledge of the community, we fund, lead, convene and collaborate to address the greatest and most critical needs facing the Chicago region. From the $22 million raised to help with unemployment relief in the Great Depression to spearheading an effort to help people keep their homes during the foreclosure crisis of the Great Recession to $35 million raised for the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund, which supported nonprofits serving our most vulnerable neighbors, Chicagoans have put their trust in us.

In 2019, we announced we would focus our discretionary spending over the next decade on working to close Chicago’s growing racial and ethnic wealth gap. The Trust envisions a Chicago region that’s stronger and more prosperous because everyone—regardless of race, ethnicity, or zip code—has equitable access to the opportunities and resources they need to succeed and live a fulfilling life.

With assets of more than $4.5 billion, the Trust, in partnership with its donors, distributes more than $600 million in grants each year. The Trust Team seeks to match the passion and commitment of donors, grant recipients, residents, and community leaders that continue to work tirelessly to make the Chicago region one where all have the opportunity to realize their dreams.
From: The Chicago Community Trust