Director, Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects in Chicago, Illinois at Illinois Action For Children

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects advances the organization’s Strategic Plan and Balanced Scorecard goals by facilitating operational planning, alignment, tracking, and reflection for selected strategic initiatives. This Director supports the SVP Operations and Executive Team through regular and timely reporting on those initiatives and other assigned topics and follows up as directed. The position involves working with Senior Managers collectively and individually. All work to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with Company standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The Company reserves the right to add to, delete, change, or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.

1. Participates in and understands the organization’s strategic planning and balanced scorecard planning.

1. Works closely with leadership on strategy, policy, problem-solving, and decision making.

1. Conducts deep dives into existing business and operational systems, processes, and policies to makerecommendationregardingcurrent and future operations to support the mission and organizational growth.

1. Compile and analyze data to inform recommendations for strategic business decisions.

1. Proactively share insights with leadership about opportunities, risks, and mitigations.

1. SupportOperations Teamfunctions,in collaboration with SVP Ops and in alignment with Ops Team deliverables.

1. Facilitate collaboration and continuity across departments.

1. Provide support in the completion of strategic initiatives and special projects.

1. Help implement goals from strategic priorities.

1. Research and explore new initiatives.

1. Assistsin the development of project plans for each key strategic initiative chosen by the Executive Team and CEO, including timelines, cross-department communication plans, milestones, and outcome measures.

1. Facilitates the alignment of various departments’ work to support the initiatives and to ensure that department goals cascade from the organization’s goals.

1. Works with Quality Improvement department staff totrack and report progressand document obstacles.

1. Monitor’sdeliverables to promote continuous quality improvement cycles foridentifiedstrategic initiatives.

1. Provides administrative and organizational support for Executive and Senior Management Team meetings and other internal meetingsidentifiedby the SVP Operations, including preparation of materials, written summaries, andfollow-upas necessary.

1. Provides and coordinates staff support to SVP Operations atidentifiedexternal meetings, presentations, and events, and ensurestimelyfollow-up on all action items.

1. Other Functions: The Organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in management, planning, policy, or related field– Masters preferred
• Three (3) to five (5)years’ experience in management, planning, or policy, including at least 2 years’ experience in project management
• Previoussupervisory or people management experience preferred.
• Excellent project management skills, both technical (use of planning frameworks and software) and interpersonal (motivating people)
• Excellent group facilitation skills

OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Key knowledge of the principles and methods of Project Management and familiarity with Organizational Change concepts
• Excellent public speaking, interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and translate business performance gaps into capacity development strategies.

• Exceptionaltrack recorddeveloping and delivering systems analysis and project management initiatives.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills with all levels of employees and superior process management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with key organization leaders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while deliveringhigh qualityresults.
• Strong analytical skills, businessplanningand project management skills.
• Collaborates effectively with others toidentifyand resolve issues.
• Exhibitsa personalresponsibility and commitment towards the company's values.
• Able to nurture, guide and motivate the staff to effectively deliver processes that support business results.