Associate Director of ALICE Special Projects

United Way of South Central Michigan•Kalamazoo, MI

15h•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Facilitation of certification and/or academic course experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Benefits

medical
dental
vision coverage
life insurance with an employer-paid benefit of 2 times annual salary
short-term disability
long-term disability
10% employer contribution, deposited monthly, into the 403(b) retirement plan each year with full vesting after 3 years of service
20 days Paid Time Off
13 days Paid Sick Time
5 Paid Volunteer Days
3 Floating Holidays
11 Paid Holidays each year