Associate Director – Workforce Development

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 78,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

401K

Job summary

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago seeks an Associate Director of Workforce Development to lead classroom-based instruction for over 200 high-risk participants annually across three Chicago neighborhoods. You will refine curriculum, coordinate referrals, monitor progress for job placements, and use data to drive program improvements.

As part of the leadership team, you will drive large-scale projects, support innovative partnerships like SC2 in Austin, and serve as the main contact for Cara

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• At least three (3) years of management experience, preferably individuals with a history of justice system involvement.
• At least five (5) years of experience in workforce development and job readiness programming.
• Familiarity with Chicago neighborhoods and drivers of violence.
• Committed to professional development and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the workforce development programming and team performance.
• Monitor grant spending, budgeting processes, and program efficiency.
• Collaborate with Finance for stipend payments and data management.
• Build partnerships and coordinate with CVI initiatives and Cara Collective.
• Represent the organization at external meetings and ensure cross‑department collaboration.

Skills

Management experience

Workforce development

Staff coaching

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Associate Director – Workforce Development

REPORTS TO: Senior Vice President of Operations

The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago’s mission is to end the cycle of violence using Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s principles and teachings of nonviolence. Informed by a philosophy of nonviolence, Nonviolence Chicago will establish caring and sustained relationships with participants engaged in the cycle of violence. We will emphasize partnerships with community members, leaders, social service providers, and local law enforcement to reduce community levels of violence. We will help create a safer, healthier environment for young adults, youth, and their families. These general approaches will be specifically addressed using five major methods: Community Violence Intervention (CVI) / Street Outreach, Individualized Service Provision, Victim Support Services, Behavioral Health and Nonviolence Training.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Associate Director of Workforce Development will oversee the day-to-day operations of the workforce team, which provides classroom-based instruction to more than 200 high-risk participants annually across three neighborhoods (Austin, West Garfield Park and Back of the Yards). This position will support curriculum refinement, work closely with the street outreach department to help facilitate seamless referrals, monitor participant progress in order to facilitate job placements/referrals to transitional jobs, and use data to inform program improvements and demonstrate impact. A member of the leadership team, the Associate Director is capable of implementing large-scale projects, is a natural problem solver and is committed to the mission and long-term goals of the organization.

The Associate Director will also support several innovative initiatives and partnerships. This position will play a critical role in the Scaling CVI for a Safer Chicago (SC2) initiative – an unprecedented effort to achieve community-level violence reduction by scaling up CVI services to individuals at highest risk of violence. The position will also serve as the main point of contact a first-of-its-kind partnership between Nonviolence Chicago and Cara Collective, which provides programming onsite at Nonviolence Chicago’s Austin office, as well as attend public events and speak on behalf of the organization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in leadership team meetings, collaborate on the implementation of strategic initiatives, and communicate daily with supervisor
• Provide strategic oversight and direction for all workforce development programming
• Implement organization-wide and departmental policies and procedures (e.g. personnel, financial, client eligibility, etc.) and strive to improve operational efficiencies
• Respond to inquiries from the Nonviolence Chicago leadership team, community outreach partners, and other stakeholders
• Work with colleagues at all levels and in all departments to support collaboration across teams, information sharing, communication, and transparency
• Represent the organization at external stakeholder/partner meetings
• Assist with pressing matters as they arise and perform other duties as required

Management & Administration

• Manage the workforce development team and provide coaching, professional development, and performance management
• Work with the department’s supervisor to maintain consistency on team meetings, one-on-one supervisions, training for staff and additional professional development activities
• Monitor grant spending, attend monthly budget meetings, and play an active role in the annual budgeting process
• Collaborate with the Finance Department to support the participant stipend payment process
• Monitor program quality and participant outcomes, and make recommendations for improvement
• Participate in the hiring process for new departmental staff

Partnerships

• Play a critical role in the Scaling CVI for a Safer Chicago (SC2) initiative in Austin, specifically overseeing Nonviolence Chicago’s role as a workforce partner in the Austin Collaborative
• Oversee the implementation of SC2 workforce development in additional neighborhoods
• Serve as the main point of contact a first-of-its-kind partnership between Nonviolence Chicago and Cara Collective, which provides programming onsite at Nonviolence Chicago’s Austin office
• Develop and maintain relationships with workforce programs that support high-risk individuals and offer transitional job placement and communicate those opportunities to the workforce team
• Cultivate relationships with employer partners to support seamless referrals for participants
• Attend meetings with other CVI organizations and stakeholders committed to solidifying the pathway for CVI participants to meaningful long-term employment
• Participate in meetings with internal data team as well as external evaluation partners to make sure appropriate data is captured

Departmental Operations

• Support the day-to-day operations of the workforce team in all three neighborhoods served
• Work closely with the workforce supervisor and Street Outreach Department to help facilitate seamless and meaningful referrals to programming
• In partnership with the workforce supervisor, monitor participant progress in order to help facilitate job placements/referrals to transitional jobs
• Communicate the workforce department program schedule to colleagues and external partners
• Make sure the appropriate data is being captured and entered into internal data system, and use data to inform program improvements and demonstrate impact
• Monitor operations daily to make sure programming is consistent across all participants and neighborhoods
• Continuously improve upon the internal standardization of processes and procedures within the workforce department
• Partner with the Behavioral Health Department to make sure that Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CBI) and Trauma Education are provided consistently to workforce participants
• Support the daily operations around Nonviolence Chicago’s safety protocols related to participants entering Nonviolence Chicago locations and enrolled in programming

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• At least three (3) years of management experience, preferably individuals with a history of justice system involvement
• At least five (5) years of experience in workforce development and job readiness programming, preferably in a community-based organization or the government sector
• Familiarity with Chicago neighborhoods and the fundamental drivers of violence
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development and to bettering yourself
• Ability to take initiative, work as a self-starter and lead by example
• Possess an inclusive leadership style based in empathy, patience, equity, consistent support, accountability, and the ability to relate well to a variety of individuals and groups
• Ability and commitment to maintain high level of confidentiality
• Demonstrated experience serving as a problem-solver in a complex environment
• Excellent verbal communication skills, and ability to communicate effectively in writing
• Willingness to learn and commit to the principles of nonviolence, restorative justice and trauma-informed practices
• No pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse or domestic violence
• Driving is required for this position. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license, consistent access to a reliable vehicle, and current vehicle insurance.
• The ability to travel between neighborhoods and community sites served by the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago is essential.

SALARY RANGE:

$78,000-$85,000

BENEFITS:

The Institute puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package.

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package.

Competitive/commensurate with experience and other qualifications. Competitive benefits package available, including Health, Life, and 401K.

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago -- EEO Statement

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Institute for Nonviolence Chicago complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.