Director of Community Health & Outreach in Chicago, Illinois at Night Ministry

At The Night Ministry, our work centers on meeting people with compassion, dignity, and respect during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Across Chicago, our teams provide human connection, housing support, and health care to individuals and families experiencing housing instability and poverty. We believe lasting impact is built through consistency, trust, and showing up for our community every day.

The people who work here are deeply committed to that mission. Our staff bring empathy, professionalism, resilience, and a shared sense of purpose to their work, whether they are serving clients directly in the community or supporting operations behind the scenes. Every department and every role contributes to the strength of our programs and the quality of care we provide.

We value collaboration, accountability, curiosity, and a commitment to equity in both our work and our workplace culture. We are looking for people who are thoughtful, adaptable, and motivated by meaningful work that creates real impact in the lives of others.

Working at The Night Ministry means being part of a mission-driven organization where your contributions matter, your work supports a larger purpose, and your colleagues care deeply about the community and one another.

Position Summary:

The Night Ministry’s Outreach & Health Ministry Department is dedicated to delivering equitable, trauma-informed healthcare to individuals experiencing homelessness. We meet people where they are, both literally and figuratively, by removing barriers to care and providing high-quality services grounded in dignity and respect. We are seeking a dynamic and mission-driven leader to advance our outreach strategy, strengthen program impact, and guide the team through a period of meaningful growth and transformation.

General Purpose:

The Director of Community Health and Outreach is a key member of the Strategic Leadership Team, providing visionary leadership and operational oversight for the organization’s mobile health and street medicine initiatives. This role ensures the delivery of client-centered, trauma-informed care to individuals living in encampments, on public transit, and in other unsheltered environments.

The Director will lead the daily operations of the Mobile Health Unit, Street Medicine teams, and CTA Transit Program. This position requires a collaborative leader who can build and nurture a multidisciplinary team, drive program growth through sustainable funding grants like Medicaid reimbursement and serve as a compelling public ambassador for the organization’s mission.

Role Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in healthcare administration, public health, nursing, or social services, with at least 5 years in a supervisory role managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated experience in homeless services, street medicine, mobile health outreach, or care coordination for vulnerable populations.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-site operations and lead change management initiatives (e.g., launching a new program).
• Experience using data to drive decisions, improve quality, and report on programmatic outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Public Health (MPH), Master's degree in nursing, Healthcare Administration (MHA), Social Work (MSW), or a related field.
• Experience with Medicaid billing, managed care contracts, or value-based payment models in a community health setting.
• While not required, a background in nursing (RN), public health nursing, or community health work is highly valued.
• Spanish language proficiency strongly preferred to support effective engagement with the communities we serve.

Position Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Strategic Oversight

• Provide direct supervision and support to three direct reports: Community Health Coordinator/Manager, Bus Operations Manager, and Clinical Supervisor (FNP).
• Lead the planning, development, and launch of the new Medical Respite pilot program, ensuring seamless integration with existing outreach services.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of mobile health bus, street medicine, and transit shelter programs, ensuring alignment with best practices in homeless healthcare.
• Collaborate with the VP of Programs to develop and implement strategic goals that expand access to care and improve health outcomes for unsheltered populations.
• Embed principles of equity, dignity, and harm reduction into all program protocols, policies, and staff training.

Clinical & Operational Management

• In partnership with the Clinical Supervisor (FNP), ensure that medical services provided by nurse practitioners and risk reduction specialists are evidence-based, culturally humble, and trauma-informed.
• Oversee care coordination efforts to ensure clients experience a seamless transition between outreach settings, the new Medical Respite Pilot and permanent housing or long-term care.
• Ensure the safety and functionality of mobile assets, working with the Bus Operations Manager to maintain vehicles and equipment.
• Develop scheduling and staffing plans to ensure coverage for the transit program, requiring the Director to maintain availability for weekend and evening consultation as needed.
• Provide leadership and direction for Medical Respite pilot planning, implementation, evaluation, reporting and compliance.
• Data, Compliance & Sustainable Growth
• Lead the collection, analysis, and reporting of program data to track outcomes, inform strategy, and meet grant requirements.
• Drive the transition toward sustainable funding by identifying opportunities for and implementing processes related to Medicaid billing.
• Ensure all programs comply with HIPAA, grant deliverables, and organizational policies.

Community Engagement & Representation

• Serve as a spokesperson for The Night Ministry’s outreach efforts, speaking confidently with media, funders, community partners, and government entities.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with shelters, hospitals, mental health authorities, and first responders to enhance the continuum of care.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications required for this position. It is not an exhaustive list, and duties may change as business needs evolve.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• A deep commitment to serving unhoused individuals with dignity, compassion, and an understanding of systemic inequities.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and the ability to operate them in a fast-paced street environment.
• A desire to grow a team by fostering a culture of psychological safety, professional development, and mutual respect.
• Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in unpredictable environments.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to represent the organization to high-level stakeholders and the media.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings, to support program needs and staff.
• This role is a hybrid of office work and field work. The Director will split time between administrative duties and being present with outreach teams in encampments, transit hubs, and other outdoor settings.
• Must be able to navigate uneven terrain, tolerate variable weather conditions, and stand/walk for extended periods during site visits.
• Must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license.

Reporting to this position:

Community Health Manager, Bus Operations Manager, and Clinical Supervisor (FNP)

Benefits:

At The Night Ministry, we recognize that meaningful work is best supported by a workplace that values wellbeing, growth, and balance. We are committed to offering a comprehensive benefits package that supports our employees both personally and professionally.

Eligible employees have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement savings with employer match, paid time off, paid holidays, and opportunities for professional development and ongoing learning. We also strive to foster a collaborative and supportive culture where employees feel valued, respected, and connected to the mission and impact of their work.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, & Reasonable Accommodation:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The Night Ministry is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job or to participate in the application or hiring process, please contact the People & Culture team.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; climb stairs; crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally drive an automobile; and lift and/or move 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may vary at the different locations required in this job. This role may require additional hours, sometimes weekends, during certain busy seasons.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The Night Ministry is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

At-Will Employment Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be an employment contract. Employment with The Night Ministry is at will and may be terminated by the employee or the organization at any time, with or without cause or notice.