Director of Operations

The Steans Family Foundation (“SFF”); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan contribution

Paid leave

Job summary

The Steans Family Foundation is seeking a Director of Operations to join its leadership team in Chicago. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role will coordinate programmatic expansion, grantmaking, and internal operations, ensuring alignment across teams and Trustees.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years of experience, with five years leading staff, a strong record of fiscal integrity, and a commitment to the foundation’s mission and values.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required; MBA or Finance master's preferred.
• 10+ years of work experience, with at least 5 years leading staff.
• Experience in philanthropy, nonprofits, or foundations is valued.
• Hybrid work environment with COVID-19 precautions implemented.

Responsibilities

• Oversee strategic programming and operations, budget/finances, HR, communications, facilities and IT infrastructure.
• Partner with Executive Director to set goals, analyze data and guide management decisions.
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration among staff and Trustees to align grantmaking and policy programs.

Skills

Operational leadership

Strategic planning

Financial management

Communication

People management

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or related

Job description

The Steans Family Foundation (“SFF”) concentrates its grant making and programs in North Lawndale, a community on Chicago’s west side, and North Chicago, a city 40 miles north of Chicago, and on aligned policy and ecosystem initiatives. SFF observes the model of “place-based” giving, focusing on communities rather than a particular set of issues. It engages with those communities – listening to their concerns and needs – and then pursues opportunities to further the interests of the communities, always in close partnership with “on the ground” stakeholders.

There are currently about 17 employees, when fully staffed there will be approximately 21. There are two offices, one in downtown Chicago and another in North Chicago. SFF grants about $15M annually and is governed by a 7-member Board of Trustees comprised of family members and close advisors. It is co-located with two other family businesses, the law firm of Massey & Gail and Financial Investments Corporation (“FIC”), a private equity firm that also houses the Steans family office operations.

ABOUT THE POSITION

With the passing of the Steans Family patriarch, Harrison I. Steans in 2019, the corpus of the Foundation grew dramatically, making it now one of the largest funders in Chicago. With the growth in the corpus, the Foundation is able to build internal capacity which will support programmatic expansion and impact. To ensure that systems, communications and grantmaking priorities remain aligned, the need for more operational support has become a priority. The goal is to bring a strategic, comprehensive, birds-eye perspective to the team serving as the glue between programs, staff, and Trustees.

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a member of the leadership team, the Director of Operations works with internal and external stakeholders to execute SFF’s mission and goals. This newly created role is designed to address the operational and communication needs across all the “pillars” of its grantmaking and policy programs. Specifically, the Director of Operations will oversee strategic programming and operations, budget and finances, human resources, communications, facilities and IT infrastructure. Working through the Executive Director, the Director of Operations will develop quality goals and objectives, and analyze data to develop and support management decisions. This successful candidate will be a trusted partner and resource to all internal stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees. The position manages four staff.

We seek a proven operational strategist who has a successful track record of fiscal integrity as well as strong communication, interpersonal and management skills. The person we seek should embrace diversity, and demonstrate a commitment to SFF’s mission and vision statements. A passion for creating positive social change, is essential. Undergraduate degree required, MBA or Master’s degree in Finance, or other business-related field desired. The qualified candidate will have ten or more years of experience, with five years leading staff. The Foundation’s staff are currently working in a hybrid fashion and taking all necessary precautions due to COVID-19.

Equal Opportunity Employer. Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service and/or marital status, order of protection status, handicap, disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes.

COMPENSATION

Salary range is $145,000 - $175,000. Comprehensive benefits package includes employer paid medical, dental, and life insurance; long-term disability; an employer contribution of 4% of salary to a retirement account; and generous paid leave.