Senior Program Manager, Strategic Partnerships & Advocacy

All Chicago Making Homelessness History•Chicago, IL

9d•$63,179 - $95,624•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Program Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy is a newly added position at All Chicago, primarily responsible for building the Chicago homeless response system’s strategic, cross-sector partnerships, and supporting the system’s advocacy efforts at the local, state and federal level. This work will require coalition and relationship building to influence policies, build support, and drive systemic change within the homeless response system. SPMs at All Chicago are strategic leaders and system builders, helping to lead All Chicago’s efforts to support agencies through capacity building efforts and initiatives. SPMs supervise staff, oversee multiple areas of focus within All Chicago, and work closely with numerous external partners to advance Chicago’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness. Additionally, the SPM may be responsible for working on other special projects related to All Chicago’s roles within the homeless response system.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Social Justice or another related field is required. Master’s degree in one of these fields preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
A minimum of 5 years of experience in the field of social services or related experience.
Experience with advocacy and policy initiatives.
Excellent professional writing and verbal communications skills.
Exceptional work ethic and integrity.
Goal-oriented and results-driven.
Solid interpersonal skills, professional presence, and ability to interact with a diverse audience.
Record of being self-motivated with the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines and manage changing priorities in a fast-paced environment is strongly preferred.
Proven project management skills required.
Proven management skills with the ability to motivate, stimulate and inspire teams to maximize their efforts in productivity and quality.
Excellent organizational and leadership skills.
Good working knowledge/skills with Microsoft Office Suite of products including, but not limited to, Word, PowerPoint, Excel required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with at least one of the other sectors that works closely with the homeless response system desired.
Familiarity with HUD regulations related to CoC and ESG homeless programs preferred.
Solid knowledge of the Chicago CoC, Outreach and Engagement programs, and homelessness strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Identify and monitor pending policy and advocacy matters related to affordable housing and homelessness at all levels of government.
Build and maintain strong frameworks for conducting coalition building and advocacy efforts on behalf of the homeless response system.
Represent the Chicago homeless response system at meetings and conferences.
Design opportunities to incorporate voices of people with lived experience into the development and refinement of advocacy efforts.
Lead the Chicago homeless response system’s advocacy task force to set an annual policy agenda and then identify and implement advocacy strategies.
Identify, recruit and build relationships with new stakeholders, partners and legislative offices to advance policy and advocacy work.
Plan, organize and facilitate meetings and special events to advance coalition building and advocacy goals.
Draft policy alerts, educational materials and other communications to inform key stakeholders.
Manage relationships with cross-sector partner organizations and build networks for information sharing; cultivate and engage new stakeholders as needed.
Facilitate complex conversations, build consensus, and maintain consistent, transparent communication among partners.
Identify opportunities for new cross-sector collaboration that address system gaps and advance policy priorities.
Work across teams to build and maintain strong working relationships with partners across housing, healthcare, behavioral health, criminal justice, and workforce sectors.
Participate-in, convene and/or support cross-sector working groups, task forces, and initiatives.
Facilitate partner onboarding, engagement plans, and ongoing relationship stewardship.
Lead, mentor, and supervise assigned staff and interns. Conduct supervision sessions with direct reports, prepare three-month probationary evaluation reports for new hires and twelve-month performance evaluations for all direct reports.
Develop and manage a high performing project team, ensuring succession plans are in place.
Write position descriptions and lead the hiring, and if necessary, conduct disciplinary and other personnel actions in accord with personnel policies, for all direct reports.
Serve as an agency leader and liaison with other departments.
Communicate effectively with supervisors, peers, and partners in written, oral and in-person communication in both groups and at public events.
Think creatively in the development, design, and creation of new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, and support.
Actively participate in department, committee, and staff meetings.
Assists with All Chicago events and other activities as assigned.
Other duties as assigned.