Executive Director | CHI

Job Title

Executive Director | 826

CHI

Chicago Women in Philanthropy

Date Posted: 8/12/2025
Date Needed: 9/15/2025
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

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.

• 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 targeted students.
• Assist in establishing…