Housing Director

Breakthrough • Chicago, IL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Director oversees the daily operations of the Housing program, provides leadership, and manages the Housing team at Breakthrough Urban Ministries. The Director champions the organization’s service delivery models of relentless engagement, radical hospitality, and trauma-informed care, and works to ensure staff apply these principles consistently. The role collaborates with organizational counterparts to align program delivery with the organization’s mission.

The Director provides direct services to center guests, supports the creation of family housing program models and procedures, and oversees reporting and grant compliance. The position coaches and trains Housing staff, facilitates staff meetings, and manages staff discipline and conflict resolution. It also involves working with organizational leaders, community partners, and stakeholders, and attending relevant training and community meetings.

The role is based at the Men’s Center in Chicago, Illinois, and requires travel between Breakthrough buildings on Carroll Avenue and St. Louis Avenue. The work takes place in a multipurpose facility and/or outdoors, with exposure to prevailing weather and noise that may vary with facility activities. Physical duties include frequent walking or sitting, standing for extended periods, bending, stooping, pulling, reaching, and lifting or carrying at least 50 pounds. The employee must complete criminal background and sex offender clearances before the first day of work.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social services or a related field preferred.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience.
• Proven leadership track record in employee performance and management.
• Must have or obtain a Food Sanitation Certificate.
• Knowledge of standard case management protocols.
• Ability to travel between Breakthrough buildings on Carroll Avenue and St. Louis Avenue.
• Strong interpersonal skills, professionalism, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to use initiative, discretion, and independent judgment in decision-making.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and follow-through and work comfortably in a changing environment.
• Willingness to consistently improve work performance through relationships and guidance.
• Accurate and informed understanding of cultural and urban realities, especially as related to youth, families, poverty, and community development.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including standing for long periods and lifting, carrying, or moving at least 50 pounds, using proper handling and lifting techniques.
• Complete criminal background and sex offender clearance before the first day of work.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in social services or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct service delivery to support center guests in accordance with the guest process.
• Enter and update participant information in the database in a timely manner, following HMIS and Breakthrough Urban Ministries’ Salesforce guidelines.
• Assist with creating the program model, policies, and procedures for family housing.
• Generate monthly reports with statistics and measured outcomes for the board and funding sources.
• Train and professionally coach Housing staff, ensuring they are adequately prepared for their responsibilities and application of board-approved policies and procedures.
• Facilitate regularly scheduled staff meetings.
• Oversee disciplinary actions and conflict resolution involving staff members and guests.
• Oversee implementation of grant compliance.
• Work with the Chief Program Officer, other directors, and coordinators to build a cohesive team.
• Participate in community networks and coalitions, and attend off-site meetings with community partners and other stakeholders.
• Attend appropriate training, workshops, and community resource meetings as available.
• Perform other assigned duties and tasks.
• Independently follow agency policies and procedures and meet established commitments and timelines.
• Identify and resolve difficult issues, maintain a professional image, promote customer care, and work effectively with diverse staff, communities, and populations served.
• Maintain sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy in stressful situations and demonstrate a passion for Breakthrough’s mission.

Benefits

• Group medical insurance through BlueCross BlueShield, with PPO or HMO plan options; employee single coverage may have no cost depending on the selected plan, while family coverage has a per-pay-period cost.
• Group dental insurance through BlueCross BlueShield, with PPO or HMO plan options; employee-paid.
• Group vision insurance through BlueCross BlueShield; employee-paid.
• Organization-paid term life insurance through MetLife.
• Organization-paid short- and long-term disability insurance through MetLife.
• 401(k) plan with a match of 50% of employee contributions, up to a total of 3% of base salary.
• Section 125 flexible spending plan for eligible insurance premiums, out-of-pocket medical expenses, dependent care expenses, and/or transit and parking contributions on a pre-tax basis.
• Vacation accrual of 6.67–13.33 days per month based on tenure.
• Up to 3 personal days annually, prorated in the first year.
• Up to 10 sick days annually, prorated in the first year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed