Chief Impact Officer

Open positions at Cara•Chicago, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Impact Officer (CIO) serves as a member of the Executive Team and is responsible for overseeing the delivery of all Cara Collective programming, including recruitment and admissions, social emotional development, career coaching and advancement, and holistic participant support services. The Chief Impact Officer strategically manages Cara’s core program and initiatives related to our participants’ preparation for, placement into, and long-term success in employment. This role, and the team it leads, are the backbone of the organization. In addition to overseeing direct service delivery, the Chief Impact Officer manages and maintains program-connected external and internal stakeholder relationships. As an Executive Team member, the Chief Impact Officer ensures the integration and alignment of program services between departments across the organization. This role provides unique insights on approaches to participant personal development and transformation, as well as career pathway development. The CIO will ensure programmatic alignment with employer and market demands utilizing data-based decision-making while collaborating with organizational leaders across operations, finance, external affairs, HR and other existing and future business units including our social enterprise Cleanslate. Additionally, the Chief Impact Officer should demonstrate consistent work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to teamwork while upholding Cara’s mission and values at all times. The ideal candidate is a proactive and influential leader who builds trust quickly, communicates with clarity, and partners effectively across all levels of the organization. They are known for driving results, navigating complexity, and delivering high-quality work that strengthens people and operations. They demonstrate strategic leadership and expansive thinking that supports and honors past practices with an eye towards trends and future innovations. They have significant, strong knowledge of and experience with leading organizations or teams through change. The ideal candidate is self-aware and possesses a growth mindset. They approach challenges with curiosity, and lead with both empathy and accountability. They are passionate about serving the underserved and creating opportunities for them to thrive. They are committed to both leading a team and being a member of a team. They professionally develop staff, set high expectations for them, and strive to crush goals while keeping participant success top of mind. They are a leader who demonstrates significant experience in the C-Suite with a history of strong accomplishments in organizations with comparable participant-facing missions. Reports to: Chief Executive Officer Direct Reports: Team of Directors and Senior Manager(s), who oversee managers and front-line staff for a total of 35+ Impact Team members.

Requirements

Progressive experience as an executive leader of direct service organizations with demonstrated success, preferably in a nonprofit focused on education, adult education, workforce development or social enterprise.
Applicant may demonstrate expertise in one of two ways: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree preferably in Social/Behavioral Sciences, Business Management, Public Administration) or a related field, PLUS a minimum of ten (10) years of direct service program experience; OR A combination of 15 years of direct service program experience, training and education in relevant disciplines such as workforce development, social work, education, or adult education.
Experience leading, developing, and growing direct service programming to successful outcomes while utilizing data to drive improvements and participant outcomes.
An established professional track record of developing and motivating others, acting with integrity, thinking strategically, and driving results within a positive workplace culture.
Significant experience developing and maintaining relationships with employers other external partners
Excellent written and verbal communication
High accountability; high attention to detail; and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
A passion for creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and society.
The ability to identify errors or irregularities and take timely appropriate action.
The ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy in managing employee and other stakeholder issues in a wide range of diverse situations.
The ability to institute problem solving techniques in diverse and sometimes emotional situations with participants.
Proficiency with CRM systems such as Salesforce.
Ability to complete all required reports, documentation and assigned tasks in a timely fashion and in accordance with expected deadlines
Ability to complete other duties as assigned, or as may arise.
Experience leading a departmental or domain budget.
A collaborative spirit and ability to work well with all stakeholders from board members to participants, funders to employers, staff to executive leadership, community to corporate partners.

Responsibilities

Lead and ensure proper execution of the complete spectrum of Cara’s proprietary direct service delivery model: recruitment/intake, social emotional learning, mental health and wellness, life coaching/supportive services, career coaching, and job placement/employment services.
Ensure integration of additional services including, but not limited to, financial and digital literacy, and other topical content as deemed necessary for participant success and well-being.
Collaborate across all organizational domains to ensure operational, contractual, financial, and legal compliance with protocols, policies, and procedures whether internal or external to Cara.
Partner with the external affairs team for fundraising, development, funding and implementation of innovative initiatives
Ensure integration with existing and future social enterprise ventures (Cleanslate and Clear Space)
Effectively deliver program services within Cara’s operational budget
Contribute to organization-wide decision-making and leadership as member of the Executive Team
Shape, implement, develop and iterate programmatic elements of enterprise strategic plan
Provide critical insights and support for organization-wide policymaking, protocols, and processes
Research, study, and apply societal, macroeconomic, and industry trends to inform and innovate on our programmatic interventions and approach—refining and improving the curriculum and service delivery model where necessary to benefit participant outcomes.
Develop and implement practices that routinely assess programmatic efficacy and efficiency, measure outcomes, and gauge participant satisfaction.
Identify challenges. Create responsive solutions that inform program design and iteration.
Maintain and expand partnerships/resources that support the myriad and diverse needs of program participants (e.g. childcare, housing and food security, and/or substance abuse recovery).
Effectively engage board members, and serve as staff to relevant committees of the board to share and gain insight on strategic direction, outcomes data, programmatic opportunities, impacts, and successes.
Support all levels of donor engagement, where needed, with existing and prospective funders from initial application to post-award updates/reports/presentations.
Ensure meaningful corporate volunteer engagement that is consistently aligned with our programmatic instruction, particularly in career preparation, mock interviews, labor market knowledge, workplace comportment, and overall professionalism.
Coach, support, and develop program staff in accordance with industry trends, best and promising practices.
Establish high-performance standards and accountability.
Foster and encourage on-going professional development for all team members.
Audit staff performance, providing continuous feedback, guidance and direction for improvement where needed.
Collaboratively establish team goals and monitor progress, and set individual team member goals with direct reports.