Director of Program Services

Westside Justice Center•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Westside Justice Center (WJC) is a community-centered Legal Aid clinic founded in 2015, committed to eradicating barriers to justice and uplifting authentic community leadership. As the Director of Program Services, you will oversee program implementation, training, outreach, monitoring, reporting, and collaboration with partner organizations for all programs outside of our legal services. This role is crucial in advancing access to justice in our communities.

Requirements

5–10 years of experience in nonprofit, philanthropy, or public-sector programs dedicated to legal services and/or community justice.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
Experience in program management.
Experience supervising others and coordinating work across multiple team members.
Experience with equity-focused or community-centered grantmaking.
Proven ability to take initiative and manage multiple tasks effectively.
Cultural Competency.
Reliable transportation.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Ability to communicate verbally.
Ability to spend extended time working on a computer.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing multi-partner programs or initiatives and implementing and refining program models preferred.
Experience in reviewing grant proposals or funding applications preferred.
Experience in training and community outreach preferred.
Excellent interpersonal, public speaking, and organizational skills.
Strong organizational skills and proven attention to detail.
Ability to work well independently and as a member of a team.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, self-directed environment.
Occasional need for local travel for work-related reasons.

Responsibilities

Builds and sustains relationships with colleagues, community leaders, and relevant organizations.
Represents the Westside Justice Center at conferences and other public events.
Builds relationships with external partners, stakeholders, and community leaders to promote policy goals.
Lead WJC’s advocacy work from organizing to working with public officials to affecting the State budget and influence systems for lasting change.
Participates in the design, implementation, refinement, and adaptation of grantmaking strategies and in planning future program strategies.
Assists in the design of new initiatives.
Identifies and works with prospective grantees to develop programs that advance grantmaking strategies.
Supports the selection process.
Conducts background research and due diligence and prepares grant recommendations for administrative and Board consideration.
Recruits, trains, and coordinates the work of ILA2J external review committee.
Reviews and evaluates proposals.
Supervises the individual(s) responsible for monitoring and evaluation.
Ensures maintenance of all relevant data for use in tracking, analyzing, and reporting.
Oversees site-visits to evaluate and support partner performance; provides technical assistance and training.
Responsible for accurate submission of programmatic reports to funders.
Supervises the individual responsible for supporting subrecipients.
Ensures the effective coordination and leadership of monthly program and/or regional meetings with partners.
Oversees the gathering and distribution of resources for and from subgrantees.
Provides needed support for success.