Associate

Civic Consulting Alliance • Chicago, IL

1d • $65,000 - $70,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Civic Consulting Alliance’s vision is to be the cornerstone of a civic ecosystem that creates a more vibrant, equitable, and prosperous Chicago region for all. We get big things done for the Chicago region by bringing together our dedicated staff and the business community to provide pro bono expertise to government & civic leaders. We achieve impact in four interconnected focus areas that are integral to achieving our vision: Economic Vitality : Thriving economy that builds individual and community wealth in support of regional revitalization. Education: High-quality education and access to opportunities for all students to prepare them for lifelong success and fulfillment. Health: Accessible healthcare that increases holistic well-being and allows all people to live longer, healthier lives. Safety & Justice: Collaborative violence prevention and intervention strategies that create safe and just communities. Every dollar invested in our mission is multiplied fivefold, providing an average of $20 million in pro bono consulting services annually to the Chicago region. We are the best at what we do, and uniquely qualified and positioned with the trust, experience, and credibility needed to succeed. For more information visit: https://www.ccachicago.org/ The Opportunity The Associate owns essential research, analysis, and project support that enables high-impact client work. As a developing member of the consulting team, the Associate builds foundational consulting skills that includes owning one or two work streams, coaching more junior teammates (when applicable), building strong stakeholder relationships, and contributing to meaningful outcomes for clients. They investigate client challenges, organize and synthesize insights from multiple sources, and collaborate with teammates to develop evidence-based solutions to support our mission to build a more vibrant, equitable, and prosperous region. For the problem-solver who is passionate about contributing to a thriving Chicago region, Civic Consulting Alliance provides unique opportunities to: develop your understanding of government and of the Chicago region; to make systemic, cross-sector change; and to impact the lives of millions of people in the Chicago region. We are a fast-paced organization committed to our clients’ successes, so we are looking for curious and passionate leaders who take initiative. You will fast-track your professional development by: building connections across a broad network of civic leaders; and being part of a dynamic, supportive, and tight-knit team. Below is a vision for the key components of the position; employees will also be asked to perform additional tasks that are not listed in the job description, as deemed necessary by Civic Consulting Alliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and educational background in policy, business, education, social or data sciences, or related fields; graduate degree is a plus
• 2+ years’ full-time work experience in a professional setting, with experience in or exposure to consulting, government, and/or nonprofit organizations required
• Experience in or exposure to one or more of CCA’s focus areas (economic vitality, education, health, and safety & justice) is a plus
• Strong experience organizing, prioritizing, and monitoring multiple ongoing tasks, and demonstrated ability to develop a work plan
• Ability to apply structured thinking to define problems, synthesize information, and identify solutions, with minimal direction
• Significant quantitative and qualitative research and analysis skills
• Experience building trusted relationships and managing stakeholders
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word / PowerPoint / Excel, familiarity with quantitative data analysis (e.g., Tableau / Power BI), and the ability to learn and apply new technical skills

Nice To Haves

• graduate degree is a plus
• Experience in or exposure to one or more of CCA’s focus areas (economic vitality, education, health, and safety & justice) is a plus

Responsibilities

• Supporting high-impact projects, working side-by-side with Civic Consulting Alliance colleagues and leaders in government
• Supporting client recommendations by conducting analysis, formulating hypotheses, and structuring solutions
• Supporting trusted relationships with clients
• Preparing recommendations to clients, communicating effectively to build understanding
• Supporting project management by developing work plans for workstreams within a project, and by organizing, prioritizing, and tracking tasks
• Developing broad knowledge across CCA’s focus areas
• Seeking and giving feedback and supporting teammates in their growth and development
• Contributing to organizational development priorities (e.g. in support of client development, partner engagement, and team culture)

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance beginning on employee start date
• 401(k); annual employer contribution of 5% after one year of employment
• Pre-tax programs for transit and flexible spending account (FSA)
• Generous paid time off package including: 15 vacation, 8 sick, and 4 personal/swing days; federal holidays, week-long winter break, and early-close days before select holidays
• Supportive family planning benefits – FMLA and paid parental leave
• Employer-paid group life, long-term disability insurance, and short-term disability insurance; additional, voluntary life insurance
• Up to $1,000 per year reimbursed in support of professional learning and growth
• Benefits subject to change

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level