Executive Director of Youth Policy, Education and Human Services

Executive Director of Youth Policy, Education and Human Services

District Office at 180 N. Wabash

City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), the largest community college system in Illinois, is made up of seven colleges and five satellite sites, providing more than 68,000 students each year access to a quality, affordable education.

Reporting to the Chief of Strategy and Staff, the Executive Director – Youth Policy, Education & Human Services provides guidance on youth services policy, strategy, and operational initiatives related to the City’s social services departments, programs, and efforts. Serves as a senior advisor with specific responsibilities over the City Colleges of Chicago, the Chicago Public Library and the Chicago Park District. Manages special projects and maintains internal and external relations with City departments and stakeholders in the youth portfolio. Collaborates closely with the EDHS Senior Directors to develop coherent and connected policies and programs. Performs related duties as required.

Your Responsibilities

• Advise and provide high level strategic support to the Deputy Mayor on effective operational management of Education and Human Services youth team and related departments
• Serve as liaison for department heads and senior-level leadership for the City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago Public Library, and the Chicago Park District
• Partner closely with EDHS Senior Directors and related departments and agencies to forward policy agendas and initiatives related to youth development.
• Advise and provide high level vision and strategic support to the Mayor and Mayor’s Office staff on youth policy
• Lead and direct the Mayor’s My CHI. My Future. initiative
• Represent Deputy Mayor at Mayoral, senior staff, and Cabinet-level meetings as needed
• Serve as Mayor’s Office liaison to City Colleges of Chicago Board of Trustees
• Manage team staff and operations, including facilitating team meetings, coordinating personnel and hiring for positions related to social services portfolio, and directly assisting with operational needs as needed to ensure execution of day-to-day responsibilities of youth team and departments
• Drive strategic planning and coach team members on successful implementation of all multi-year signature strategic initiatives led by youth team
• Develop and oversee vision, goals, metrics, milestones, and key partners for a select number of multi-year signature strategic initiatives led in youth portfolio
• Develop relationships with key State and local representatives and work with the Mayor’s Office Intergovernmental Affairs team (IGA) to advance the Mayor’s policy agenda
• Collaborate with multiple internal and external stakeholders to develop policy briefings and external communications related to youth portfolio
• Assist in the planning and leading of Mayor’s Office events and meetings as assigned
• Manage special projects and other duties as assigned

Your Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Policy or a related field
• Ten or more years of project management experience, executive-level experience strongly preferred
• Two or more years of supervisory experience required.
• Prior experience and knowledge of large urban parks, library, and/or workforce development programs, policies, and landscape preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of City budget, contracting and operational processes
• Experience working with local and state government policy structures and systems
• Proven track record of effectively interacting with senior management and organizational leadership
• Ability to work strategically and collaboratively across departments
• Demonstrated willingness to take on job challenges and responsibilities when asked with reliability, responsibility, and dependability
• Knowledge of supervisory and management methods, practices, and procedures
• Knowledge of city and department ordinances, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations
• Leadership skills that demonstrate a willingness and ability to lead and provide direction as necessary and appropriate
• Ability to apply critical thinking skills to identify the strengths and weaknesses of issues and provide solutions or alternative approaches to the issues
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational, planning, and complex problem-solving skills
• Ability to pay careful attention to details and exhibit thoroughness in completing work tasks
• Ability to negotiate and to bring individuals together to reconcile differences
• Ability to think strategically in the long-term and to consider the costs and benefits of potential actions followed by specific decisions
• Ability to work with and relate to a culturally diverse student body, faculty and staff
• Ability to travel locally to staff and participate in press and other events
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

We offer: excellent health and welfare benefit package and long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.

Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Thank you for your interest in City College of Chicago!