Director - First Five

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago • Chicago, IL

2d

About The Position

The Director of First Five provides strategic and operational leadership for
Catholic Charities' early childhood essentials program and leads a volunteer
network of approximately 50-100 volunteers across Chicago, Suburban Cook County,
and Lake County, ensuring high-quality, equitable, and mission-aligned services
for families with young children. The Director sets program directions, drives
sustainable growth, and elevates First Five's visibility across the region. They
build strong internal and external partnerships, represent Catholic Charities in
key forums, and lead the volunteer network that powers the program, fostering a
culture of excellence, compassion, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Minimum Bachelor's Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in a related field of study 3-5 years relevant experience
• Background check

Nice To Haves

• Preferred Master's degree in Arts/Sciences (MA/MS) in a related field of study 5+ years relevant experience

Responsibilities

• Provide daily operational oversight of First Five by ensuring efficient, high-quality services; maintaining and improving systems for referrals, documentation, and data tracking; monitoring budget and compliance; and using data to guide timely operational decisions.
• Lead program strategy by setting goals and priorities, identifying opportunities for expansion and sustainability, and using data and community insights to recommend and implement improvements aligned with agency objectives.
• Build and manage partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders, represent Catholic Charities in public and professional settings, strengthen referral pathways, and support outreach efforts.
• Coordinate with internal departments to align operations, share program insights, streamline processes, resolve service challenges, and support agency wide planning and continuous improvement.
• Lead and develop the First Five team by setting clear goals and expectations, monitoring performance, and providing regular feedback and guidance. Inspire team excellence by modeling accountability, collaboration, and solution-oriented thinking, and ensure team members are supported, empowered, and high-performance while fostering a positive, purpose-driven culture.

What This Job Offers

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