City Director, Chicago in Chicago, Illinois at Depaul Usa Inc

DEPAUL USA, INC POSITION DESCRIPTION
TITLE: City Director, Chicago
FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
HOURS: Full Time
RESPONSIBLE TO: Chief Operating Officer
DIRECT REPORTS: Dax Staff
LOCATION: Chicago, IL
SALARY: $60,000 - $65,000 per year, paid bi-weekly

Depaul USA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, and we are firmly committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all employees. If you need reasonable accommodation in any part of the hiring process, please let us know.

Position Description
The Chicago City Director provides full leadership and oversight of the Dax Program, ensuring its effectiveness in helping students from DePaul University and the City Colleges of Chicago graduate by providing stable housing, individualized case management, life skills support, and financial assistance. The City Director is responsible for program strategy, day-to-day operations, public engagement, staff supervision, university and community partnerships, compliance, budget management, and fundraising.

Program Summary
The Dax Program provides housing and supports to approximately 38 college students experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. Students are housed at three sites in Budlong Woods, Westtown and Ukrainian Village. Students are age 18-30 and are referred directly from DePaul University and City Colleges of Chicago. Housing, basic needs and financial assistance are provided to students within a trauma-informed, holistic and participant-oriented framework.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions
• Provides overall leadership and strategic direction for the Chicago Dax Program, ensuring effective program operations, resident support, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer, maintaining consistent communication through email, phone, Zoom, and Teams with daily and weekly interactions.
• Oversees the delivery of support services by managing a Case Manager and providing direct case management to assigned residents, including developing individualized support plans, coordinating monthly services, and maintaining case documentation in Neworg. Maintains regular communication with the Case Manager through email, phone, Zoom, and Teams, with daily interactions.
• Assesses residents’ needs and connects them with appropriate campus and community-based services. Conducts referral interviews, intake assessments, and coordinates housing move-in and discharge plans. Facilitates monthly House meeting with participants in conjunction with Case Manager.
• Maintains rent roll, ensuring participants pay rent on time and in full each month or coordinating with the students to develop a payment plan for rental arrearages.
• Coordinates life skills workshops for residents by collaborating with local businesses, congregations, universities, and service agencies to deliver both in-person and virtual sessions.
• Supervises program staff, including the Case Manager and House Managers, providing trauma-informed coaching, training, professional development, and performance evaluations. Submits timely payroll information to the Director of People & Values.
• Identifies and recruits volunteers for the program. Manages volunteer program including regular recognition events and communication.
• Leads the development, monitoring, and management of the Chicago Dax Program budget. Ensures accurate financial planning, resource allocation, and compliance with organizational and funding requirements.
• Controls program operating expenses within budget while maintaining high-quality service delivery.
• Maintains program records for outputs and outcomes and prepares reports, statistics, and documentation as required by senior leadership and funders.
• Designs and implements strategic fundraising initiatives, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and special events, in partnership with the Senior Director of Development and CEO.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with local officials, university partners, funders, community organizations, and service providers to expand and enhance services for students facing homelessness.
• Coordinates and oversees all maintenance for project sites.
• Supports and engages the Local Advisory Council to provide strategic guidance and fundraising support for the program.
• Leads planning and implementation of long-term expansion strategies, including coordinating with external consultants and internal leadership on multi-year action plans.
• Ensures alignment with Depaul USA’s Vincentian values and adherence to internal quality assurance standards.
• Works collaboratively with the Management Team to continually improve the quality and impact of services offered through the Chicago Dax Program.

Additional Tasks and Responsibilities
• Ensures all required resident documentation is completed and maintained and keeps Neworg case records up to date.
• Conducts tours of the facility for visitors, volunteers, and potential partners.
• Maintains all necessary operational, financial, managerial, and statistical records to ensure smooth and compliant program operations.
• Builds collaborative relationships with internal Depaul USA teams and external community agencies to share best practices and strengthen service networks.
• Partners with the Manager of Fundraising & Strategic Events to manage and grow the program’s social media presence and digital outreach.

General Responsibilities
• Stays informed of current local and national events, trends, and issues that impact Depaul USA’s work with people experiencing homelessness.
• Strives continuously to develop the role in collaboration with the supervisor to ensure that all tasks are undertaken effectively and appropriately, meeting the strategic goals and objectives of Depaul USA.
• Participates in internal and external meetings as required, attends training events, conferences, and other functions as necessary.
• Participates in regular supervision and annual evaluations, identifying personal developmental and training needs.
• Ensures adherence to all Depaul USA policies and procedures, particularly those relating to Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and the Code of Practice and Confidentiality.
• Contributes to the effective implementation of Depaul USA’s Equal Opportunities Policy as it affects both the organization and its work with this participant group.
• Undertakes the role in a professional manner, maintaining a high-quality standard of work in accordance with the Vision, Mission, and Values of Depaul USA.
• Undertakes any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role.

Qualifications:
The ideal Chicago City Director will be an experienced professional with several years of experience in program management capacity, ideally in the social services setting.
• A four-year degree plus 2 years of experience working in program management capacity, ideally in the social services setting.
• Exceptional management skills, especially in application to leadership, program design and development, fundraising, and relationship management.
• Exceptional communication, multi-tasking, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer skills with all Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to organize tasks, events, and people, and delegate effectively; and
• Strong organization skills and the ability to work in a team and all levels of the organization.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. In the course of performing the job, the person in this position typically spends time sitting, standing, climbing stairs, walking, driving, carrying (20lbs), lifting (20lbs), operating a computer keyboard, and making and receiving telephone calls. Subjected to outside environmental conditions.

Special Requirement:
• Must possess a valid driver's license and comply with Depaul USA’s Motor Vehicle Policy during employment.

Work Schedule:
• In Person at the Downtown Chicago Executive Office 5 days a week.
• In Person at the Ukrainian Village, Budlong Woods & Holy Innocents locations as needed.
• Dates/Times: M-F, between 9am–5pm CST. Some weekends and evenings as necessary.
• Travel: Approximately 5-10% of travel is required for this role.

Benefits:
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage options for the employee and eligible dependents.
• Company provided Basic Life/AD&D & Short/Long Term disability.
• 401(k) Retirement plan with employer match.
• Generous Vacation, Sick, and Personal leave
• 10 Observed holidays.

Background Checks:
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed as part of the hiring process. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect application status or applicants’ employment status.

Declaration:
This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position's duties, responsibilities, and requirements. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Depaul USA and management reserve the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other tasks as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Depaul USA is an equal opportunity employer and affords equal opportunity to all applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal laws.

Thank you for considering Depaul USA!

To apply for this position, please visit: https://jobs.appone.com/DepaulUSA

Deadline: Until Filled