Executive Director | CHI

Position: Executive Director | 826CHI
Job Title

Executive Director | 826

CHI

Organization

Chicago Women in Philanthropy

Location & Details

Date Posted:

Date Needed:

Location:

Chicago, IL, United States

Primary Category:
Non-Profit

Type of Position:
Full-Time, exempt

Experience Requirement: 5+ years

Salary: $85,000 – $100,000 per year

Job Overview

826

CHI is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. By employing a one‑on‑one and community‑based approach, our programs prioritize BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, and English‑language learners.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Vision:
Realize 826

CHI’s mission and vision and work to achieve strategic goals by leading the board in developing and maintaining a strategic planning process with long‑range and short‑range objectives; ensure the strategic plan aligns with the overall mission.

• Operationalize priorities and goals with staff and contractors.

• Build and maintain community partnerships to amplify the impact of 826

CHI’s programs.

• Lead 826

CHI’s work in advancing racial equity, inclusion, and diversity.

• Fundraising & Communications:
Lead all fundraising goals in partnership with the board; manage corporate, foundation, government support, special events, individual and board giving, and in‑kind contributions.

• Manage contractors who support grants, communications, event planning, and other fundraising initiatives.

• Ensure income is comprehensive and diversified; actively seek new funding opportunities.

• Work with the Board of Directors to identify, cultivate, and solicit donors and funders.

• Oversee communications initiatives and serve as the primary contact for press coverage.

• Oversee all external relations, including communications, website, newsletters, annual appeals, and PR.

• Serve as the public face and voice for 826

CHI.

• Seek out nonprofit, government, and corporate partners and raise the visibility of 826

CHI in the community.

• Financial Management:
Ensure sound fiscal management, ensuring the organization is financially viable and sustainable with the resources to meet current and projected program growth.

• Ensure financial protocols are followed.

• Be responsible for budgeting, cash flow, and financial reporting, in collaboration with the Treasurer of the Board.

• Oversee annual financial audit and the publication of 826

CHI’s Annual Report.

• Maintain compliance with the terms of the 826 National chapter agreement and city, state, and federal policies.

• Liaison to the 826 National and serve as a chapter representative to the 826 National Board.

• HR & Personnel Management:
Actively model and reinforce organizational culture and values.

• Ensure HR policies are updated, reviewed, and followed as appropriate, including compliance, compensation, and benefits administration.

• Develop and review a staffing plan; build strong, collaborative relationships with staff; hire, supervise, mentor, evaluate, and conduct necessary personnel actions.

• Recruit, screen, train, and manage volunteers and teaching artists.

• Operate an inclusive environment where staff, volunteers, stakeholders, and students thrive.

• Operations & Facilities Management:
Manage 826

CHI’s Partner‑In‑Residence relationship with Steppenwolf Theater.

• Handle rental contracts and agreements for all 826

CHI partners.

• Ensure safety and emergency preparedness.

• Manage contracts and MOUs with key partners and agencies.

• Board of Directors:
Serve as primary liaison to the Board, including building relationships with new and prospective members and assisting in board development.

• Facilitate the board’s decision‑making by providing accurate and timely information; recommend actions and implement policy.

• Work closely with the Chair to prepare quarterly board meetings and produce financial statements.

• Ensure adequate staff support for board committees and stewardship of official documents and records.

• Program Development & Evaluation:
Oversee all educational programs, ensuring the mission is carried out effectively.

• Work with the Program Manager to ensure delivery of high‑quality programs for…