Director of Program Services

Westside Justice Center; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

The Westside Justice Center is seeking a Director of Program Services to lead program design, implementation, and evaluation, while coordinating with partners to advance access to justice. You will oversee outreach, training, monitoring, and reporting for programs outside of legal services, and drive grantmaking strategy with a focus on equity and community impact.

Ideal candidates bring 5–10 years in nonprofit or public-sector programs related to legal services or community justice, plus strong

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of experience in nonprofit, philanthropy, or public-sector programs dedicated to legal services and/or community justice.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• Experience in program management.
• Experience supervising others and coordinating across multiple team members.
• Experience with equity-focused or community-centered grantmaking.
• Proven ability to take initiative and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Experience managing multi-partner programs or initiatives and implementing and refining program models preferred.
• Experience in reviewing grant proposals or funding applications preferred.
• Experience in training and community outreach preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, public speaking, and organizational skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, self-directed environment.
• Cultural Competency; Reliable transportation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Oversee program implementation, training, outreach, monitoring, and reporting.
• Collaborate with partner organizations for programs outside of legal services.
• Design, implement, refine grantmaking strategies and future program plans.
• Identify and recruit prospective grantees to advance grantmaking goals.
• Support the selection process with background research and due diligence.
• Recruit, train, and coordinate external review committees and evaluate proposals.
• Supervise staff responsible for monitoring and evaluation; ensure data and reporting accuracy.
• Lead monthly program and regional meetings with partners; distribute resources from subgrantees.

Skills

Program management

Supervising others

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Westside Justice Center is growing and expanding its program services team!

Unleash your strategic management skills and make a difference with the Westside Justice Center. Join our mission-driven team as the Director of Program Services and play a critical role in advancing access to justice in our communities.

Founded in 2015, the Westside Justice Center (WJC) is not just a workplace—it is a community-centered Legal Aid clinic committed to eradicating barriers to justice and uplifting authentic community leadership.

As the Director of Program Services, you will oversee program implementation, training, outreach, monitoring, reporting, and collaboration with partner organizations for all programs outside of our legal services. If you're a proactive individual with a passion for social justice and a knack for program management, we invite you to join us in our mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Community Engagement
  
  
  
  • Builds and sustains relationships with colleagues, community leaders, and relevant organizations
  
  
  • Represents the Westside Justice Center at conferences and other public events
  
  
  
  


• Advocacy
  
  
  
  • Builds relationships with external partners, stakeholders, and community leaders to promote policy goals
  
  
  • Lead WJC’s advocacy work from organizing to working with public officials to affecting the State budget and influence systems for lasting change
  
  
  
  


• Program Responsibilities
  
  
  
  • Participates in the design, implementation, refinement, and adaptation of grantmaking strategies and in planning future program strategies
  
  
  • Assists in the design of new initiatives
  
  
  • Identifies and works with prospective grantees to develop programs that advance grantmaking strategies
  
  
  
  


• Supports the selection process
  
  
  
  • Conducts background research and due diligence and prepares grant recommendations for administrative and Board consideration
  
  
  • Recruits, trains, and coordinates the work of ILA2J external review committee
  
  
  • Reviews and evaluates proposals
  
  
  
  


• Supervises the individual(s) responsible for monitoring and evaluation
  
  
  
  • Ensures maintenance of all relevant data for use in tracking, analyzing, and reporting
  
  
  • Oversees site-visits to evaluate and support partner performance; provides technical assistance and training
  
  
  • Responsible for accurate submission of programmatic reports to funders
  
  
  
  


• Supervises the individual responsible for supporting subrecipients
  
  
  
  • Ensures the effective coordination and leadership of monthly program and/or regional meetings with partners
  
  
  • Oversees the gathering and distribution of resources for and from subgrantees
    
  • Provides needed support for success
  
  
  
  

Successful Candidates will Possess:

• 5–10 years of experience
  in nonprofit, philanthropy, or public-sector programs dedicated to legal services and/or community justice

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience

• Experience in
  program management


• Experience supervising others and coordinating work across multiple team members


• Experience with
  equity-focused or community-centered grantmaking


• Proven ability to take initiative and manage multiple tasks effectively


• Experience managing multi-partner programs or initiatives and implementing and refining program models preferred

• Experience in reviewing grant proposals or funding applications preferred


• Experience in training and community outreach preferred

• Excellent interpersonal, public speaking, and organizational skills


• Strong organizational skills and proven attention to detail


• Ability to work well independently and as a member of a team


• Ability to work in a fast-paced, self-directed environment


• Cultural Competency


• Reliable transportation


• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Benefits

• Community Impact


• Health Insurance


• Dental Insurance


• Vision Insurance
  
• Paid Time Off


• 401(k) retirement plan

Work Environment

The work environment described here is representative of that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This job operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones and photocopiers


• Ability to communicate verbally


• Ability to spend extended time working on a computer


• Occasional need for local travel for work-related reasons

Compensation

Actual compensation will be determined based on a wide array of relevant factors, including market considerations, organizational needs, and an individual’s skills, experience, and qualifications. Target salary hiring range is $85,000-$100,000.

Disclaimer

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties, requirements, or responsibilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Westside Justice Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment free from discrimination and harassment.

We prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, parental status, military service or discharge status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Consistent with our mission to advance justice and equity, people of color, women, LGBTQI-GNC individuals, immigrants, and formerly incarcerated people are strongly encouraged to apply.