Associate Director of ALICE Special Projects

Job Description

Job Description

Title:

Associate Director of ALICE Special Projects

Group/Team:

People and Culture

Reports To:

Senior Director Strategy &

Culture

Status:

Full-Time

FLSA

Classification:

Exempt

Minimum Annual Salary:

$64,320

POSITION SUMMARY

Working closely with the Senior Director of Strategy & Culture, this position is responsible for leading initiatives and programs that seek to amplify the ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained and Employed) report and better support workers and employers to improve conditions for employees, with an emphasis on the ALICE workforce. In simple terms, ALICE households are working families who are unable to meet the basics. With a rise in costs and wages that don't keep up, ALICE families make our daily lives possible and are still struggling to make ends meet.

Amongst the position's key responsibilities, this individual will provide leadership over the United for ALICE at Work program, support the UWSCMI Public Policy and Advocacy work, and act as UWSCMI lead to the ALICE report. This individual will be positioned as the UWSCMI expert on all things ALICE, working cross-functionally with departments and key leaders to ensure the staff team is well equipped with knowledge around the ALICE report and ensuring community stakeholders have access to the data and subsequent UWSCMI programs.

United For ALICE at Work helps businesses implement policies that enhance workforce success and sustainability. Partnering with local United Ways and forward-thinking companies, we help employers build strategies to reduce turnover, increase retention and boost engagement.

This is a grant-funded, regional position, based out of the Kalamazoo office with the opportunity to work fully in-person or hybrid with a minimum of three days a week in the office. Grant funding is secured for 2 years with the possibility of renewal. Occasional travel within UWSCMI's six-county footprint is required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF POSITION

Equity Diversity and Inclusion

• Contribute to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organizational culture that centers people in every solution, process, and function.
• Center the needs and interests of marginalized workers, with an intentional focus on ALICE and those disproportionately represented among ALICE, when partnering with community partners and staff.

United For ALICE at Work: Estimated 70%

Program Strategy & Leadership:

• Provides comprehensive and largely independent leadership to all stages of the ALICE at Work program, including but not limited to: co-development of funding proposals, goals and outcomes, navigation supports to participating employers, tracking of participant progress, managing internal processes, supporting marketing and awareness building efforts, relationship building, and serving as the primary liaison to the national ALICE at Work team.
• Support expansion and enhancement to existing projects and programs related to ALICE, including ALICE at Work.
• Represent UWSCMI in the space of economic and workforce development.

Facilitation & Curriculum Management

• Facilitate the ALICE at Work 6-module course in virtual, in person, and hybrid settings using breakout rooms, chat, and other engagement tools as needed.
• Work in partnership with the national ALICE at Work team to ensure courses are prepared and ready to deliver, debriefing as needed, and supporting data sharing efforts with the national team.
• Collaborate with the national United For ALICE at Work network to consistently review course materials and performance with the goal of continuous improvement.

Revenue Generation & Partnerships

• Work in partnership with UWSCMI's Resource Development and Community Impact teams to build meaningful partnerships and relationships with local employers and partners.
• Prioritizes building and maintaining strong relationships with participating ALICE at Work employers, ensuring that the needs of the client (employer) are being met and working with the participants to identify workforce solutions that center the needs of employees.
• Responsible for supporting revenue generation and grant prospecting with local, regional, and national funders for ALICE Special Projects, including, but not limited to ALICE at Work.

ALICE Report Management & Coordination: Estimated 15%

• Leads the review and synthesis of the annual ALICE report and subsequent creation of localized materials in partnership with the Marketing and Communications department.
• Serves as UWSCMI staff lead on the ALICE report, attending relevant local, state, and national meetings, conferences, and serving as ambassador on volunteer committees and collaboratives, as needed.
• Acts as the UWSCMI staff lead on ALICE presentations and community outreach by working across departments to amplify messaging, leading the development and updates related to ALICE report materials, and supports in the creation of key messaging and educational materials.
• Develops and administers trainings to UWSCMI staff so they are equipped to provide community education and outreach surrounding the ALICE report.
• Develops and promotes key messaging around the ALICE report in collaboration with the Director of Community Impact for Policy to be utilized with elected officials, constituents, and community groups to improve conditions for regional workers, especially those within the ALICE threshold.
• Identifies gaps in the systems and resources for workers and developing, in partnership with others, solutions to those issues.
• Builds strong collaborative relationships with internal and external partners to leverage resources, capacity, and strengths to advance public policy priorities.
• Provides coordination and support to the planning and execution of key Public Policy and Advocacy events and convenings including ALICE Hill Day and Elected Official Luncheons in collaboration with the Director of Community Impact for Policy.

Relationship Building and Stakeholder Engagement

• Represents UWSCMI to organizations and individuals within the region.
• Work in partnership with UWSCMI's Resource Development and Community Impact teams to build meaningful partnerships and relationships with local employers and partners.
• Serves as a staff ambassador of UWSCMI at various community meetings, conferences, committees; attend, represent and participate in special events and functions on behalf of the organization.
• Acts as the UWSCMI staff lead on ALICE presentations and community outreach by working across departments to amplify messaging, leading the development and updates related to ALICE report materials, and supports in the creation of key messaging and educational materials.
• Serves on local, regional, statewide, and national advisory groups on behalf of UWSCMI as deemed necessary and beneficial for the program.

Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and ability to apply anti-oppressive and anti-racist principles in the workplace and community.
• Ability to work with a broad range of community organizations and populations with a focus on creating access for historically underrepresented and marginalized communities.
• Prior experience delivering workforce development programs, training and education modules, human resources and talent development and retention education, policy and advocacy work, or program leadership and management preferred. Formal education such as a Bachelor's degree in business, human resources, social work, nonprofit management, public policy, or a related field may also supplement or substitute for experience to meet this requirement.
• Satisfactorily complete United For ALICE at Work train the trainer program within specified timeline at hire.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate engaging group discussions, both in person and virtually. Facilitation of certification and/or academic course experience is preferred.
• Skilled in facilitating conversations, particularly in the areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion and leadership effectiveness.
• Proven ability to develop and sustain productive professional relationships with community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust, relationships, and engage in collaborative work with individuals from marginalized and under-represented communities.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft suite products including: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Adobe Pro.
• Proficient knowledge of working in Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Demonstrates highly effective project planning and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Ability to maintain confidential information and exercise discretion.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Frequent sitting, standing, and walking.
• Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional work outside of normal business hours.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check and Motor Vehicle Records (MVR).
• Candidate must be able to work successfully in a remote environment with private office space and high-speed internet.

SALARY

All the roles within UWSCM have pay ranges that commensurate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the successful candidate. The minimum salary for this position is $64,320.

ABOUT UWSCMI

United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) gathers the power of three legacy organizations- Capital Area United Way, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, and United Way of Jackson County-to mobilize financial and volunteer resources, partners, and voices, creating equitable and lasting change for the most vulnerable people in our communities.  

Our vision: Strong, caring communities where every person is valued, thriving, and connected for the common good.  

Our path: Our work lifts our local communities by reducing racial and economic disparities; addressing the needs of ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households in financial stability, education, health, and basic needs; and creating opportunities for every person to reach their full potential.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

UWSCMI is committed to dismantling systemic inequities that continue to cause harm for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) people, women, and people with disabilities. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. We strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities. We are continuously building capacity and accountability into our policies, practices, and partnerships. We seek those who can lead and move alongside us in this work.

NOTE

All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.    

BACKGROUND CHECK DISCLOSURE

We require background checks for certain roles. The checks are completed by ProScreening and results are only ever communicated to the Hiring Manager if they may impact someone's employment. We do not use prior arrests, only convictions. These convictions will only be considered as hiring criteria if they are directly connected to the roles & responsibilities of the job (for example, financial related convictions for a finance officer). We know that the criminal justice system is not equitable, and negatively impacts marginalized communities - specifically people of color - at rates much higher than other identities. This is why our background check process is only in place for explicit situations.   

TOTAL REWARDS PACKAGE

United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) offers a competitive total rewards package including a competitive salary, medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance with an employer-paid benefit of 2 times annual salary, short-term disability and long-term disability effective the first of the month following hire. In addition, UWSCMI provides a 10% employer contribution, deposited monthly, into the 403(b) retirement plan each year with full vesting after 3 years of service and 20 days Paid Time Off, 13 days Paid Sick Time, 5 Paid Volunteer Days, 3 Floating Holidays and 11 Paid Holidays each year (Paid time off, sick time. Paid volunteer time and floating holidays are prorated the first year).