Manager of Strategic Initiatives

Brightpoint • Chicago, IL

3d • $95,000 - $105,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Brightpoint invites you to join our team of mission-driven staff who share a common vision: an equitable world where all children and families thrive in strong communities. As a leader in the human services sector for 140 years, we aim to advance the well-being of children by investing in families and strengthening communities through data-informed, collaborative, and preventative solutions. The Manager of Strategic Initiatives reports directly to the Chief of Staff and collaborates closely with organizational leaders to translate Brightpoint’s strategic priorities into coordinated action, measurable outcomes, and clear internal communication. This role advances key organizational initiatives, ensuring alignment between enterprise goals, operational systems, programmatic impact, and business development efforts. Through disciplined implementation, performance tracking, and proactive communication, the Manager strengthens organization-wide systems and practices that enhance service delivery and advance Brightpoint’s mission.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree preferred in a relevant field (e.g., public policy, communications, social sciences, business, or related discipline).
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in strategic planning, project management, executive support roles, or organizational effectiveness roles required.
• Demonstrates expertise using project management platforms (e.g., Asana or similar tools) to organize workstreams, track milestones, and increase accountability.
• Demonstrates the ability to translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, drive cross-functional initiatives, and monitor progress against measurable goals.
• Demonstrates exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting executive-level materials and presenting to diverse audiences.
• Must have access to transit or other reliable transportation to execute the position’s responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

• Supervisory or team leadership experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leadership Advisory & Strategic Partnership to the Chief of Staff Serves as a trusted advisor and strategic thought partner to the Chief of Staff, providing counsel and execution of leadership across organizational priorities, executive engagements, cross-departmental initiatives, and key communications.
• Ensures consistency of voice and strategic alignment across internal communications, advancing enterprise goals, and organizational impact.
• Leads preparation, strategic framing, and follow-through for CEO and Chief of Staff engagements, ensuring clarity of message, stakeholder alignment, and actionable outcomes.
• Represents the Chief of Staff and President’s Office in cross-functional forums, working groups, and select external engagements, reinforcing strategic priorities and organizational cohesion.
• Partners closely in executive, senior leadership, and Board engagements, including development and refinement of materials for Board and Committee meetings.
• Participates in progress reviews, departmental meetings, required trainings, and performs other duties as assigned.
• Strategy, Planning & Implementation Translates strategic direction into actionable enterprise plans, establishing clear milestones, accountability structures, and progress tracking mechanisms.
• Supports strategy development and refinement efforts, including scenario planning, impact outcome tracking, and long-term planning; brings external perspective and innovative thinking to inform long-term growth and sustainability.
• Drives cross-functional initiatives that strengthen collaboration, operational alignment, and execution across teams.
• Designs and facilitates monthly strategy sessions, quarterly retreats, and steering committee activities that reinforce alignment, decision-making clarity, and team cohesion.
• Proactively identifies enterprise-level risks, execution barriers, and intendencies across strategic initiatives; elevates emerging issues and partners with initiative leads to develop mitigation plans and course correction.
• Facilitates structured progress reviews with initiative leads and executive sponsors, ensuring alignment, transparency, and timely follow through on priorities.
• Internal Communications Strengthens enterprise-wide internal communication systems to ensure clarity, alignment, and shared understanding of strategy, priorities, milestones, and progress across teams and statewide stakeholders.
• Partners with the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO to ensure seamless coordination of executive communications, messaging alignment, and timely information flow across the organization, reinforcing clarity, consistency, and strategic priorities.
• Leads cross-functional communications for key strategic initiatives, ensuring timely information flow, stakeholder engagement, and organizational cohesion.
• Partners with the executive team to develop and align all-staff messaging, reinforcing strategic priorities and organizational impact.
• Develops materials for and supports facilitation of town halls and enterprise-wide forums alongside the Chief of Staff and CEO.
• Board Engagement Partners with the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO to ensure seamless preparation and execution of Board meetings, including agenda development, materials coordination, and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Supports governance processes including annual calendars, Board self-assessments, trustee onboarding, policy updates, and implementation of governance best practices.

Benefits

• Medical/dental/vision insurance
• 3+ weeks paid time off in the first year including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day (PTO increases with tenure)
• 11 paid holidays
• Supplemental insurance options
• 401(k) with match
• Emerging Leaders will have access to leadership development opportunities and one-on-one mentorship.
• Brightpoint is an approved agency for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

What This Job Offers

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