Vice President for Programs

The VP of Programs is a senior leadership position reporting to the Interim Chief Operating Officer (COO). The VP will serve as a thought partner with the executive team, overseeing the workforce development, support services (ie. life coaching/case management), and behavioral health departments. In addition, this position will oversee the program manager supporting the Flat Lining Violence Inspires Peace (FLIP) Peacekeeper Program. This position will play a key role in (1) the Violence Prevention-Community Support Team (VP-CST) initiative, an innovative effort to provide trauma-informed therapeutic interventions to individuals who have experienced chronic exposure to firearm violence; (2) the Scaling Community Violence for a Safer Chicago (SC2) initiative, an effort to achieve community-level violence reduction by scaling services to individuals at highest risk of violence; and (3) the FLIP Peacekeeper Program, a proven strategy to create a safe presence on Chicago's most highly impacted blocks. This position is tasked with strengthening program operations and service delivery, improving data collection and evaluation of programmatic impact, and ensuring quality services are delivered consistently across all neighborhoods served.

This position requires someone who has significant experience managing a staff, preferably individuals with a history of justice system involvement. The ideal candidate is a strong people leader with familiarity with the CVI field and a deep personal commitment to the mission and long-term goals of the Institute. And, the ideal candidate is a natural problem solver who thrives in a challenging environment and leads with empathy, patience, and a trauma-informed lens.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management & Administration

• Serve as a senior leader within the Institute and thought partner with the executive team

• Align the strategic mission of the organization with day-to-day programmatic operations and respond to pressing issues as they arise

• Supervise the leaders of the workforce development, support services (ie. life coaching/case management), and behavioral health departments as well as the FLIP Peacekeeper Program and support the day-to-day operations of these programmatic areas

• Work with departmental leaders to maintain consistency of team meetings, one-on-one supervision, training opportunities, and professional development activities

• Oversee grant spending, review/approve expense reports, participate in monthly budget meetings, and support applications for new funding sources, in collaboration with the finance department

• Constantly monitor program data to ensure that all grant reporting requirements are met, staff are meeting/exceeding minimum requirements, and data is utilized to both inform decision making in day-to-day program operations as well as to establish long-term strategic objectives

• In partnership with the human resources department, maintain accountability, complete annual performance evaluations, write/review job descriptions, participate in the hiring process for new program staff, and provide coaching/guidance to emerging leaders as they learn to manage performance, resolve conflicts and support staff success

• Review external communications pieces (such as social media posts, the newsletter and annual report) to make sure programming is accurately reflected and successes captured

• Work with colleagues at all levels and in all departments to support collaboration across teams, information sharing, communication, and transparency

• Represent the organization at external stakeholder/partner meetings

• Perform other duties as required

Program Leadership

• Drive program excellence. Strengthen program operations and service delivery, improve data collection and evaluation of programmatic impact, and ensure quality services are delivered consistently across all neighborhoods served

• Meet consistently with staff to identify gaps in programming and meaningful ways to support participant progress; participate in case review meetings as needed

• Bring together workforce development and supportive services teams to increase the capacity and effectiveness of life coaching and strengthen the bridge between CVI and sustainable employment

• Formalize and implement the use of external partnerships to deliver seamless, coordinated wrap-around services that recognize the unique needs of the CVI participant

• Play a key leadership role in the following initiatives:

• The Violence Prevention-Community Support Team (VP-CST) initiative, an innovative effort to provide trauma-informed therapeutic interventions to individuals who have experienced chronic exposure to firearm violence

• The Scaling Community Violence for a Safer Chicago (SC2) initiative, an effort to achieve community-level violence reduction by scaling services to individuals at highest risk of violence

• The Flat Lining Violence Inspires Peace (FLIP) Peacekeeper Program, a proven strategy to create a safe presence on Chicago's most highly impacted blocks

• Together with behavioral health leadership, support the Institute’s strategic priority to expand behavioral health capacity through internal investment and innovative partnerships

Requirements

· Bachelor’s degree in human services field (ie. sociology, social work, etc.), master’s degree preferred

· Clinical licensure or clinical psychology background preferred

· A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in program management/operations in the non-profit or government sector with evidence of progressive growth

· A minimum of seven (7) years managing a staff, preferably individuals with a history of justice system involvement

· Proven success in managing people, programs and budgets

· Proven track record in developing, implementing and managing programs serving at-risk and/or justice-involved adults

· Ability to identify problems, evaluate options, collaborate with others and execute solutions

· Ability to manage the timeline of strategic initiatives in a constantly evolving environment

· Ability to represent the organization at meetings with external stakeholders and make public presentations in a professional manner

· Excellent verbal communication skills, ability to communicate effectively in writing and demonstrated experience completing detail-oriented tasks

· Possess an inclusive leadership style based in empathy, patience, equity, consistent support, accountability, and the ability to relate well to a variety of individuals and groups

· Ability and commitment to maintain high level of confidentiality

· Willingness to learn and commit to the principles of nonviolence, restorative justice and trauma-informed practices

· No pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse or domestic violence

· Valid Illinois driver’s license, insurance, and good driving record

· Access to a vehicle to be able to move between neighborhoods served by Institute for Nonviolence Chicago

Salary & Benefits

Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for the position is $125,000.

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package.

Competitive benefits package available, including Health, Life, and 401K.

About Institute for Nonviolence Chicago

The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago’s mission is to end the cycle of gun violence in Chicago using Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s principles and teachings of nonviolence. Informed by a philosophy of nonviolence, Nonviolence Chicago will establish caring and sustained relationships with participants engaged in the cycle of violence. We will emphasize partnerships with community members, leaders, social service providers, and local law enforcement to reduce community levels of violence. We will help create a safer, healthier environment for young adults, youth, and their families. These general approaches will be specifically addressed using five major methods: Community Violence Intervention (CVI) / Street Outreach, Individualized Service Provision, Victim Support Services, Behavioral Health and Nonviolence Training.

To apply, please send a cover letter along with your resume to View email address on click.appcast.io.

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago -- EEO Statement

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Institute for Nonviolence Chicago complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.