Associate Vice President, WIC Grocery

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago • Chicago, IL

1d

About The Position

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago partners with mission-driven
people and organizations across Cook and Lake counties to witness a message of
mercy and hope to a world in need by improving lives and nourishing spirits;
strengthening and empowering people, families, and communities; and committing
to being present to our times through the eyes of faith.

Reporting to the Vice President of Mothers and Families, the Associate Vice
President for WIC leads a team that serves moms and caregivers with children up
to five years old through ten WIC Grocery Centers and the WIC Grocery Mobile
Market. The AVP is a key leader in CCAC's work to empower mothers as they strive
to build a brighter future for themselves and their children. The AVP has four
to six direct reports and oversees approximately 125 employees.

CCAC's WIC program serves more than 45,000 people annually with a budget of more
than $40MM. It is one of CCAC's three Impact Areas, alongside Immediate Needs
and Seniors & Housing.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, business, social services, nutrition or related field
• Minimum of 7+ years relevant experience
• Experience leading multiple sites and complex operations
• Demonstrated experience leading teams of 25+ people
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly.
• Background check, including any program specific requirements
• Driver's License and reliable transportation Agency-specified automobile insurance
• Minimum: Master's Degree in Public Administration, Master of Public Service or Master's in Business Administration
• Minimum: 7-10 Years Retail Management, Budget Management and Supervisory Experience

Nice To Haves

• MBA or Master's degree in public administration, business, social services, nutrition or related field
• 10+ years relevant experience
• Direct experience with WIC programs, food access initiatives, nutrition services, or government-funded human services programs
• Experience developing and executing community engagement, outreach, or marketing strategies to increase awareness, access, and participation
• Experience working within faith-based or values-driven organizations
• Experience with financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting
• Familiarity with state and federal regulations, audits, and compliance requirements related to public benefit programs
• Bilingual or multilingual skills (e.g., Spanish) a plus
• Preferred: 10+ Years Retail Management, Budget Management and Supervisory Experience
• Preferred: Related Certifications

Responsibilities

• MANAGE TOWARD OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE. Ensure mom-centered services meet their dynamic needs and consistently advance CCAC's purpose, values, and vision. Provide steady oversight and leadership for WIC Grocery Stores, Mobile Market, Nutrition Education, and Warehouse & Logistics. Drive implementation of continuous improvement and innovation in service delivery models. Establish and maintain productive relationships with CCAC programs, WIC Clinics, and key stakeholders to ensure seamless coordination and program excellence.
• Oversee program performance, outcomes, and impact to ensure continuous improvement and accountability. Use data, feedback, and key metrics to identify trends, address challenges, and celebrate successes. Monitor data and coach team to course correct operations using key daily, weekly, and monthly metrics. In partnership with Finance and Procurement, ensure strong fiscal management, forecasting, reporting, and adherence to performance targets. Ensure compliance with organizational policies, professional standards, and funder and regulatory requirements.
• ENGAGE CLIENTS AND COMMUNITIES. Working closely with CCAC's client and community marketing lead, bring strategic direction and hands-on leadership to CCAC's WIC team, guiding their work to ensure consistent, high-quality engagement with individuals, families, and the broader community. Develop and oversee implementation of outreach and marketing strategies that raise awareness of WIC, leveraging community events, digital channels, and partnerships to reach and retain clients and drive meaningful participation.
• Working closely with community partners and stakeholders, lead collaborative initiatives that expand access to services and strengthen the organization's visibility and credibility within the communities it serves. Build staff capacity and sustain a person-centered approach across all engagement and outreach efforts. Listen to leaders and client-facing staff to ensure programs deliver meaningful support to pregnant women, mothers and caregivers, and young children in their care. Represent Catholic Charities WIC Access program in community forums, coalitions, collaborations, and events.
• DEVELOP AND COACH INDIVIDUALS AND TEAM. Inspire team excellence by modeling accountability, collaboration, and solution-oriented thinking, and ensure team members are supported, empowered, and high-performing while fostering a positive, purpose-driven culture. Set clear goals and expectations, monitor performance, and provide regular praise, feedback and guidance
• Cultivate a culture of continuous learning and improvement to strengthen employee engagement, retention, and impact. Develop staff capability through ongoing training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Support team members to identify and resolve operational issues and address crises and emergent issues in a timely and compassionate manner. Address staff concerns and demonstrate effective conflict resolution approaches. Empower direct reports to strengthen employee engagement and deliver high-quality, impactful services.
• Additional duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees