Executive Director of the Chicago Center Overview of Role The Executive Director of the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture (the Chicago Center) serves as the visionary and operational leader, responsible for the Center’s success in cultivating transformative learning experiences for college students and fostering meaningful partnerships with urban communities, colleges, and universities. This role will also oversee The Philadelphia Center (TPC), ensuring the successful implementation of urban experiential learning programs that prepare students to address societal inequities and understand the lived experiences of marginalized communities. Organizational Mission For over 50 years, the Chicago Center has utilized the power of place and community to deliver impactful, first-voice learning experiences that prepare students for global citizenship, self-awareness, and career readiness. With the integration of TPC, the organization’s mission expands to include innovative programs in Chicago and Philadelphia, emphasizing equity, inclusion, and urban engagement. Ideal Candidate The successful candidate will bring a participatory management style, a passion for urban education, and a commitment to advancing equity and inclusion. They will be a collaborative leader, skilled at building relationships and making sound decisions that drive growth and impact. Joining an organization poised for robust growth, the Executive Director will play a key role in shaping its future, fostering innovative programs, and amplifying its mission to create a more just and inclusive world. About You You are a visionary leader with a deep commitment to urban education and social justice. Your experience in nonprofit or educational settings has honed your skills in strategic planning, fundraising, and team leadership. You are a relationship builder who thrives in collaborative environments, with the ability to inspire and motivate diverse teams. You are passionate about creating transformative learning experiences and have a track record of fostering partnerships with communities, academic institutions, and funders. Your knowledge of Chicago’s urban landscape and its diverse communities positions you to make a meaningful impact in this role. You are adaptable, resourceful, and ready to lead the Chicago Center and The Philadelphia Center into a future of growth and expanded impact. Qualifications ● Bachelor’s degree required; master’s or advanced degree strongly preferred. ● Five to seven years of experience in nonprofit or educational organizations, including prior supervisory roles. ● Proven ability to fundraise and secure diverse revenue streams. ● Solid financial management skills, including budget preparation and oversight. ● Experience working with college students and familiarity with urban experiential learning. ● Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. ● Strong understanding of Chicago’s history, communities, and cultural legacies; knowledge of Philadelphia’s urban landscape is a plus. ● Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, with travel as required. ● Residency in the Chicago area with the ability to commute to Hyde Park offices. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership ● Provide vision, strategic leadership, and momentum to advance the Chicago Center’s programs and partnerships. ● Collaborate with the Board of Directors to develop and implement a long-range strategic plan focusing on revenue growth, organizational sustainability, and expanded capacity. ● Build and strengthen relationships with colleges, universities, community organizations, and other stakeholders to enhance the Center’s reach and impact. Fundraising and Financial Oversight ● Lead fundraising efforts, including identifying, cultivating, and securing new sources of revenue through grants, donations, and strategic partnerships. ● Oversee financial management, including preparing and administering budgets, ensuring financial sustainability, and maintaining transparency through regular reporting to the Board. Program Development and Management ● Oversee academic and administrative management of programs for Fall, Spring, Summer, and short-term sessions in both Chicago and Philadelphia. ● Ensure innovative curriculum development, impactful pedagogy, and successful program evaluation. ● Collaborate with faculty and academic communities to integrate place-based learning and experiential education into program offerings. ● Facilitate cultural visits, field trips, and other experiential learning opportunities that foster student growth and understanding of urban issues. Community Engagement ● Strengthen partnerships with diverse communities in and around Chicago and Philadelphia, emphasizing collaboration with historically marginalized groups. ● Serve as the organization’s spokesperson, promoting its mission and programs to students, academic institutions, funders, and the broader public. Organizational Leadership and Team Development ● Lead and manage a diverse team, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and innovation. ● Support professional development for staff and maintain a work environment that attracts and retains talent. ● Supervise recruitment and enrollment processes, traveling as needed to partner institutions to build relationships and recruit students. Operational Management ● Oversee daily operations, including staff supervision, technological infrastructure, and risk management. ● Ensure effective coordination of housing, facilities, and student placement logistics. ● Expand alumni engagement to leverage a robust network in support of the Center’s mission. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)* ● Growth in student enrollment numbers across all program sessions. ● Increase in annual revenue through successful fundraising efforts, including grants, donations, and partnerships ● Strengthened partnerships with colleges, universities, and community organizations, as measured by new and renewed collaborations. ● Improved participant satisfaction, as reflected in feedback and evaluation metrics. ● Achievement of strategic plan milestones within established timelines. ● Retention and development of a high-performing, diverse staff team. ● Growth and engagement within the alumni network, measured by participation in events and contributions to fundraising initiatives. ● Maintenance of financial health, including meeting or exceeding annual budget goals and maintaining transparency in financial reporting. * Please note goals will be set per year. Salary and Benefits: The anticipated base salary range for this position is $90,000-$110,000 with additional incentive pay based on meeting specific key performance indicators (KPI). The exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. The Center offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees including an unlimited PTO policy, 11 paid holidays and office closed the last two weeks of the calendar year, 60% of employee health insurance, employer provided life insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, paid holidays, and several others. Ability to work evening and weekend events/programs and to travel to program sites on a regular basis is required. This role will work in a hybrid work arrangement, with some days spent working in our office in Hyde Park in Chicago, and some days spent working from home or in the field. COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement for all positions at the Chicago Center. New hires are expected to be fully vaccinated before beginning work at the Chicago Center. We are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person’s perspectives and lived experiences. We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information. All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to the Board Chair at board@chicagocenter.org.