Community Empowerment Program Director, Academy for Local Leadership

Overview

The Community Empowerment Program Director will lead a transformative pilot initiative aimed at fostering meaningful community engagement within Chicago's 20 newly created school board electoral districts. This individual will spearhead efforts to amplify community voices, build accountability mechanisms, and train local leaders to ensure that public education governance is equitable, anti-racist, and community-centered. The Program Director will play a critical role in preparing communities to participate actively in the school board transition and subsequent elections.

This position requires occasional evening and weekend work and frequent travel across Chicago to meet with community members, partners, and stakeholders.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Program Development

• Design, implement, and oversee a comprehensive Community Empowerment Program to engage and mobilize community members across all 20 school board districts.
• Develop and manage district-by-district initiatives, including community visioning sessions, accountability mechanisms, and capacity-building efforts.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to align the program with ALL Chicago's mission of equitable and anti-racist governance.

Community Visioning and Engagement

• Catalyze community vision setting through interactive sessions in collaboration with local organizations and schools.
• Partner with community-based organizations to support visioning efforts, leveraging microgrants to build local capacity where needed.
• Serve as a liaison between community stakeholders, school board candidates, and elected representatives.

Accountability and Transparency

• Develop and implement frameworks for community accountability, including quarterly town hall meetings and written accountability charters.
• Ensure the sustainability of accountability efforts through consistent engagement and reporting.

Operational and Financial Management

• Manage program budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness and alignment with funding requirements.
• Oversee the allocation of microgrants to community-based organizations to enhance their capacity for education-focused initiatives.
• Monitor and evaluate program outcomes to ensure impact and identify areas for improvement.

Partnership and Collaboration

• Build and sustain partnerships with community organizations, schools, and other stakeholders to advance program goals.
• Co-design engagement events and meetings with community leaders and local organizations.
• Work closely with program fellows, alumni, and advocacy groups to align efforts and amplify impact.
• Contribute to the growth and development of ALL Chicago as a learning organization.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in program management, community engagement, or advocacy, with a strong focus on education or social justice.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and leading large-scale, community-centered initiatives.
• Strong understanding of public education systems, governance structures, and equity issues, particularly in urban settings.
• Excellent leadership, facilitation, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and budgets effectively.
• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Education, Community Development, or a related field a plus

Key Competencies

• Commitment to anti-racism and equity in public education.
• Ability to build trust and relationships across diverse communities.
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
• Flexibility and excitement about working in a start-up environment
• Familiarity with Chicago communities and their unique challenges and opportunities.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required by community events.

Compensation and Benefits

At National Louis University, we offer our employees an innovative environment to work together and inspire the ideas that will make an impact. As our external environment changes, our employees are provided the opportunities and tools needed to grow both personally and professionally to remain successful. NLU employees and dependents are offered a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to, Health Insurance benefits, Retirement benefits, Paid Time Off and Educational Opportunities. Additional information regarding full-time staff benefits can be found here.

This position will pay up to $90,000 annually. Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. Offers are based on multiple factors permitted by law, including but not limited to: budgetary considerations, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, market considerations, tenure and standing with the university (applicable to current employees), and internal equity.

Application Instructions

How to Apply
Submit your resume, cover letter, and a list of references to blee27@nl.edu. Documents will be
reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.