Project Manager, Social Services Job Training Program – Chicago, IL Region

Hunger Free America; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Hunger Free America in Chicago seeks a Project Manager for the Social Services Job Training Program. The role focuses on implementing Illinois-specific programming, coordinating with non-profit and government partners, and ensuring compliance with SNAP Employment and Training funds.

You will oversee day-to-day operations, mentor the Project Associate, and help design curriculum, recruit participants, and connect graduates with living-wage opportunities in the social services sector.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in workforce development and/or social services
• Experience supervising staff in nonprofit or government settings is a plus
• Bachelor's degree, or significant work experience with an associate degree
• Excellent written and verbal communication for diverse audiences
• Ability to collaborate with diverse program participants and stakeholders
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; Salesforce knowledge is a plus

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with nonprofit and government partners to deliver social service training programs
• Oversee day-to-day operations in the assigned area
• Provide guidance and supervision to the Project Associate
• Plan, design, and deliver training curriculum with local partners
• Recruit participants and promote the program to stakeholders
• Support development of a job-matching system to align skills with openings
• Ensure Illinois training activities comply with SNAP E&T requirements
• Assist with workshops to help job seekers improve resumes and interview skills
• Coordinate job fairs connecting low-income individuals with employers
• Track participant data and report to stakeholders

Skills

Workforce development experience

Social services experience

Supervisory experience

Excellent written and verbal коммуника

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate degree or relevant experience

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Salesforce

Job description

Project Manager, Social Services Job Training Program – Chicago, IL Region

Sep 2, 2026

Background

Hunger Free America (HFA) is a national nonprofit organization working to enact thepolicies and programsneeded to end domestic hunger and ensure that all Americans have sufficient access to nutritious food.

This position supports the implementation of the Illinois-specific programming of a 4-year Innovation Spark grant from the Albertsons Companies Foundation – with additional funding through the statesof Illinois and Maryland -- to provide assistance to a combined total of 200 individuals in Maryland and Illinois who are unemployed, underemployed, or employed in low-wage jobs to obtain living-wage employment in the social services field.

The initiative offers 16-week job training with comprehensive support and guidance, preparing participants for jobs in the social service sector, in which there exist significant vacancies nationwide. Program participants are trained to engage in outreach and enrollment activities for theSupplemental NutritionAssistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), and other resources, thereby enhancing the grant’s impact and promoting sustainable solutions to hunger within their communities.

Position is full-time. Candidates must live in or within commuting distance to Chicago - or be willing to relocate without relocation assistance -and will spend most days working from a project office in or near the city, with the possibility of working from home on a limited basis.

This position will report to HFA’s Project Director, National Social Services Job Training Program.

Duties May Include:

• Work collaboratively with non-profit and government partners to deliver social service training programs that align with participants’ and project partners’ needsand which meet all applicable rules and regulations
• Oversee the day-to-day operations in their assigned area
• Provide guidance and supervision to the Project Associate
• Work collaboratively with local partners and Project Director to help plan, design, and deliver training program curriculum
• Work collaboratively with local partners, Project Director, and other HFA staff to promote the program and recruit program participants
• Work collaboratively with Project Director to help develop a job matching system to align participants' skills, interests, and training with available job openings
• Work collaboratively with Project Director to utilize/develop relationships with government agencies and non-profit partners to identify job vacancies and placement opportunities for program graduates
• Ensure that all of our job training activities in Illinois comply with all state and federal requirements for the utilization of SNAP Employment and Training funds
• Work collaboratively with Project Assistant to conduct various hands-on workshops to help people with lived experience with food insecurity and poverty write resumes, search for jobs, and practice interview skills
• Work collaboratively with Project Director, Project Assistant, and local partners to hold job fairs to connect low-income people with social service employers
• Collect feedback from program participants and project partners as appropriate to ensure a positive training experienceand improve program delivery
• Ensure program participant and partner data is properly tracked and managed for both internal purposes and stakeholder engagementand reporting
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements and other funding agreements
• Any other duties as assigned by the Project Director

Required Experience and Skills:

• Preference for candidates with three or more years of experience in workforce development and/or social services
• Previous supervisory experience in a non-profit or government setting is a plus
• Ideally a four-year bachelor’s degree, or significant work experience and/or an associate degree in a relevant field
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills for a variety of audiences, including cross-functional staff teams, corporations, program participants, nonprofit leaders, and other external groups, including the ability to adjust communication as socially and culturally appropriate
• Proven ability to collaborate professionally and effectively with diverse program participants and stakeholders, including people with very limited incomes.
• A high-energy self-starter with strong communications, problem-solving, organizing, and interpersonal skills, as well as a demonstrated commitment to fighting poverty and hunger.
• Interest in social justice issues and addressing systemic issues of domestic food insecurity.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Salesforce knowledge a plus

The Person in This Position:

• Must be able to frequently remain in a stationary position.
• Constantly operates a computer and may use other office machinery.
• Frequently communicates with fellow staff, partner sites/organizations, and clients, and must be able to exchange clear and accurate information in these interactions

Salary & Benefits:

• This is a full-time, exempt, 35-hour per week position, currently funded through August 2028. The position will end on 8/29/2028 unless program funding is extended.
• This is a hybrid/in-person position.
• The salary offered is $64,000/year.
• Hunger Free America offers significant benefits to full-time employees, including a strong health insurance plan which includes fully paid employee premiums and a health reimbursement account.
• Employees receive generous holiday and paid time off (PTO).
• Hunger Free America is an equal opportunity employer. People of all races, sexual orientations, ages, faiths, economic and social backgrounds, genders, physical abilities, and national origins are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications without a resume and cover letter will not be considered.