Director-Region D, Sports & Competition in Chicago, Illinois at Special Olympics Illinois

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports to a community of more than 60,000 traditional athletes, Young Athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, and more. It strives to be a global leader in shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing year-round opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development. As a part of the Special Olympics Illinois team, you’ll join an energetic and hard-working group of individuals committed to transforming the lives of those we serve.

Position Overview

The Director-Region D is primarily responsible for providing the leadership, direct oversight, management and vision necessary to ensure that the Region has the proper operational controls and reporting procedures in place to assist Special Olympics Illinois in achieving the Core Four organizational goals. The Region Director will also have an outreach and growth focus.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Scope of Responsibility: Fully competent professional in particular field of specialization (5+ years); bachelor’s degree is required. Team Member possesses and applies a broad knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of field of specialization to the completion of difficult assignments. This category includes experts in a particular field who deliver a job that is key to the organization. Team Members in these positions would typically contribute through their people leadership and have full responsibility over all elements of a subgroup, function, or project within a department of the organization. They have appreciable latitude for unreviewed action or decision. Team Members may act in a liaison capacity with other departments and organizations, and they provide management oversight that is critical to the organization’s ability to function.
• Conduct: Director-level Team Members must demonstrate the mission, vision, and values of Special Olympics Illinois through consistent adherence to Special Olympics Illinois’ SO Way; by friendly and effective teamwork skills; by resolving conflict directly, effectively and professionally; and by committing to support and be helpful to other Team Members and departments within the organization.
• Performance: Satisfactory work performance requires consistently strong work product output, including the successful execution and completion of all job duties and goals; autonomy, ownership, competence, and excellence of work product; innovation and process improvement; effective resource management; professional
• Oversees all facets of Special Olympics Illinois’ year-round program for Region D which includes management of the following: planning and executing high quality sports competitions, outreach efforts to underserved populations public relations, public awareness and education along with family involvement
• In consultation with the Senior Director-Region D, actively manages relationships with Region staff and external partners (Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools, etc.) to ensure that organizational policies and procedures are adhered to and standards of excellence are maintained; ensures that appropriate planning, organization and execution is occurring at events and in the community
• Actively works with the Senior Director-Region D and the Chief Operating Officer to monitor, drive and achieve Region-specific, goals to ensure progress toward the Core Four organizational goals and to protect the financial integrity of the organization
• Manages volunteers as well as part-time, full-time and/or temporary employees; one - five direct reports as applicable
• Provides leadership and support in case of staffing vacancies in the Region
• Develops and implements a Regional annual plan which provides vision and strategy for the Region to drive organizational objectives, including but not limited to personnel and volunteer committee development strategies
• Supports outreach efforts throughout the year across the city of Chicago

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 5+ years’ professional experience in event planning, sporting event coordination, with demonstrated results in meeting and/or exceeding revenue goals
• Experience in sports and volunteer management
• Ability to work independently without close oversight, but also a team player who productively engages with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside Special Olympics Illinois
• Professional and resourceful style; the ability to take initiative and to manage multiple tasks and projects at a time
• Excellent, adaptive computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office products, video game consoles, Discord, and various other computer applications
• High energy and passion for Special Olympics mission
• Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities, listens to others and values opinions, helps team to meet goals, welcomes newcomers and promotes a team atmosphere
• Excellent communication skills and strong customer service focus
• Ability to influence and engage a wide range of constituents and build long-term relationships

Work Schedule & Requirement

• Based in the Chicago Regional Office
• Reports to Senior Director-Region D
• Monday through Friday with frequent evenings and weekends as position demands
• Independent in-state travel frequently/occasionally required, including some overnight and weekend travel as an essential function of position
• Physical mobility required: must be able to climb stairs, assist in setup and breakdown at events, stand or sit for long periods of time, and load and unload vehicles
• Medium work required, which involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds; requires a good deal of walking, standing, and/or sitting with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls; includes sedentary work
• Close visual acuity required to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines; operating motor vehicles
• First Aid/CPR Training and Certification required or willing to obtain within the first six months; must be able and willing to effectively administer First Aid/CPR on-site during events
• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance is required
• Offers of employment are contingent upon clear results of a background check

Rate

$60,000.00-$90,000

Benefits

This full-time position includes an excellent compensation and benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, voluntary disability insurance, a retirement savings plan with company match, generous paid time off benefits, and more.

Special Olympics Illinois is committed to building a diverse, creative, engaged, collaborative, and hard-working team that is dedicated to our athletes, our communities, and each other. Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we aim to create a positive atmosphere where employees feel valued and fulfilled. We truly want people to love working here, and we strive to create a culture that allows for growth, opportunity, and fun.

Special Olympics Illinois is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.