Community Engagement Manager

Chicago Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

Community Engagement Manager

Based in Chicago, IL

Job Title: Community Engagement Manager
Work Location: Chicago
Reports to: Director of Community Engagement
Classification: Exempt
Status: Full-time
Employee Type: W-2

Looking for a rewarding and satisfying career helping others? Come join us at the CFL Initiative!

We are an energetic and creative group of professionals, dedicated to high standards of excellence and quality. We value each one of our employees, and we highly encourage a work environment that is team oriented and dedicated to working with a larger purpose in mind, serving our community. 

To Apply:
Apply HERE !

Why join us?
As we inspire others in the community, we hope to inspire our employees as well. We offer the following benefits and perks to our amazing employees.

• Generous PTO
• Flexible schedules
• No cost medical, dental and vision plans
• 403B Plan with Match
• Basic Life & AD&D
• Voluntary Life & AD&D
• Short Term and Long Term Disability Plans\

Position Summary:
The Community Engagement Manager is part of the unique collaborative partnership between United Way of Metro Chicago (UWMC) and the Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL), the Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative’s (CFL Initiative) sister organization and the umbrella body for Chicago and Cook County’s 300 labor unions. Labor and the United Way have enjoyed a beneficial and long-lasting partnership that has engaged hundreds of thousands of working people - union and non-union members alike - in programs that benefit communities across the country and assisted millions of workers in times of need. The United Way and the labor movement share a common vision of prosperous, inclusive, diverse, and safe communities where every member of the community has access to quality public education, fair wages, productive work opportunities, and accessible, affordable, quality healthcare.

The CFL Initiative will serve as the structural and administrative hub for the Manager. This position will coordinate programming and provide technical support to the CFL and its affiliated unions on behalf of UWMC and the CFL Initiative. The Manager shall maintain and grow collaborative working relationships with Chicago’s labor community to stimulate active participation at all levels of organized labor with UWMC.

The Manager supports all functions of UWMC and CFL partnership and the mutual interests of both organizations by:

• Connecting UWMC and Labor communities in Chicago and Cook County.
• Fostering strong relationships with labor unions to advance shared impact goals and ensuring successful United Way fundraising campaigns and events.
• Identifying opportunities for UWMC and CFL to collaborate on jointly developed programs that benefit local communities and support union members.

Responsibilities (Essential Duties and Responsibilities):

• Coordinates and helps develop UWMC workplace giving campaigns that have union-represented employees and supporting other UWMC fundraising initiatives, including an annual luncheon and holiday fundraising drives.
• Manages and drives CFL community engagement programming, including large scale events such as the May Day 5K Run and Walk, Chicago Labor Day Parade and Eddie Fest, and rallies. Project responsibilities including developing plan timelines, working with public agencies to secure permits, vendor management, event promotion, participant and volunteer recruitment, and other components as needed to ensure successful outcomes.
• Connects union members to public and private support services and agencies as needed.
• Provides strike assistance to workers who are not working due to labor disputes, generally by helping affected workers access community and CFL Initiative resources.
• Works to grow union engagement with United Way, including participation in employer campaigns, volunteerism, attendance at UWMC events and representation on UWMC’s Campaign Cabinet.
• Cultivates strong relationships with unions and community partners, including volunteer recruitment and communications.
• Attends and participates in national, state, and local AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Unions) and UWMC conferences and trainings.
• Attends CFL Delegates Meetings, staff meetings and other meetings as determined by Director of Community Engagement.
• Writes articles and contributes materials for CFL quarterly publications and social media accounts.
• Supports UWMC Partner Engagement and Collective Impact by identifying opportunities for unions to volunteer for specific projects for UW Partner Agencies.
• Support traditional AFL-CIO and United Way partnership initiatives such as the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, Labor in the Pulpit/On the Bimah/In the Minbar, and Days of Service.
• Represents the UWMC and CFL Community Engagement Department at public facing events, including city parades and fundraising events.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the CFL, CFL Initiative and UWMC.

Qualifications (Knowledge, skills, and abilities):

• Demonstrated familiarity with the local labor movement and understanding of organizational structures.
• Experience executing work plans related to fundraising and community/member engagement.
• Ability to work with a broad array of organizations on issues of social and economic justice, building unity among diverse groups, and facilitating meetings.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to speak in front of large groups.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, manage time effectively and balance multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work weekend and evening hours when necessary.
• Is personally accountable and responsible for the results they achieve. 
• Demonstrates ability to analyze information and translate into specific, effective action/solutions. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Forms, SharePoint, etc.)

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Talking in-person/on the phone consistently.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• This position requires significant travel in Chicago and Cook County. Access to a union-made personal vehicle is strongly preferred.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds regularly.

Benefits:
In addition to a competitive salary, the CFL Workforce and Community Initiative benefits package includes 100% employer paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and a retirement plan. The CFL Workforce and Community Initiative also offers a competitive package of paid time off and paid holidays.

Salary Range:
$50,000 – $70,000 annually.

About the CFL Workforce & Community Initiative:
The Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce & Community Initiative (CFL Initiative) is a mission-driven 501c3 agency dedicated to developing and strengthening the skills of Chicagoland workers to fulfill the needs of area employers and vitalize the local economy. Learn more about our agency at:

The CFL Initiative is an equal opportunity/ADA employer. All federal, state and local and other fair employment standards including EEO and ADA requirements in race, gender, gender identification, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, veteran status, veterans or disabled veterans status as found in 41CFR 60-1.4, 60-250.4 and 60-741.4 are herein incorporated by reference. Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The CFL Initiative encourages applications from all of the above referenced protected and unprotected status groups.

WHEN APPLYING: Be sure to indicate that you saw this information at .