The Chicago Community Trust is hiring a Program Manager for its
Catalyzing Neighborhood Investment strategy, a body of work that is
critical to the Trust achieving its 10-year goal to close the racial
and ethnic wealth gap in the Chicago region. The focus areas of the
position are physical planning, placemaking, and organizational
development at the neighborhood level. A prominent feature of this
role is working closely with community-based organizations to build
their capacity for greater impact.
In 2020, the Trust began implementation of its Catalyzing
Neighborhood Investment strategy. Working at the organizational and
institutional levels, the strategy supports majority Black and Latinx
communities in their efforts to attract, retain and own local
investments. The strategy is organized around three themes: Build the
Foundation, Take Collective Action, Change Systems. Embedded within
these themes are eight discrete neighborhood investment priorities:
flexible funding for community organizations, leadership development,
backbone supports for collaborations, place-based planning,
asset-based development, finance innovation, private capital pathways,
and policy solutions. Together, the themes and priorities create the
enabling environment for neighborhood investment.
The Program Manager will use the tools, resources, and relationships
of The Chicago Community Trust, and specifically the Catalyzing
Neighborhood Investment team, to advance the strategy. The job
entails internal and external partnerships, thought leadership,
innovation, field building, community knowledge, and grantmaking. The
Program Manager will join a creative and highly collaborative team led
by the Trust’s Senior Director in Catalyzing Neighborhood Investment.
Position Responsibilities
- Develop, lead, and manage the physical planning, placemaking, and
organizational development priorities of the Catalyzing Neighborhood
Investment strategy.
- Advance work that is complementary to the real estate development,
development finance and policy priorities of the Catalyzing
Neighborhood Investment strategy led by a different Program Manager
on the Catalyzing Neighborhood Investment team.
- Work with community-based organizations, individually and in
cohorts, on capacity-building needs and neighborhood investment solutions.
- Integrate Catalyzing Neighborhood Investment objectives with
objectives from the Trust’s other strategy teams (e.g., Growing
Household Wealth) and programmatic affiliates (e.g., Elevated
Chicago, Community Desk Chicago).
- Cultivate internal and external relationships to advance the
Catalyzing Neighborhood Investment strategy.
- Lead and manage catalytic and strategic grantmaking.
- Cultivate funding opportunities with Trust donors and other
philanthropic sources.
- Identify, lead, and manage research opportunities.
- Refine, track and report on outcomes and measures for physical
planning, placemaking, and organizational development priorities.
- Hire and manage vendors, including consultants and interns.
- Manage and track strategy budget.
- Conduct other duties as assigned by the Senior Director.
Position Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience and background in urban planning and
community development. Knowledge of the built environment is a must.
Experience with real estate development and development finance a
plus. Master's degree preferred but we welcome all candidates
regardless of education background.
- Understanding of the role community-based organizations play in
catalyzing neighborhood investment. Experience with organizational
development and change management a plus.
- Understanding of the community development ecosystem in Chicago
and the region, including how different types of community-based
organizations plan, prioritize, and implement solutions and measure progress.
- Demonstrated understanding and commitment to the Trust’s goal of
closing the racial and ethnic wealth gap; Understanding of racial
equity practices and frameworks is required.
- Ability to work collaboratively and build relationships across the
Trust’s internal strategies and externally across organizations,
geographies, and sectors. Working collaboratively with
community-based interests is required.
- Ability to manage complex problems and generate enthusiasm for
proposed solutions; Coordination skills are paramount to success in
this role.
- Experience in project management, with the ability to assess and
resolve implementation issues and to establish best practices.
- Effective listening skills and business acumen to support the
priorities of many stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal skills and comfort with cross-cultural
communication; Excellent written and oral communication skills are required.
- Knowledge of the Chicago region, including its people, cultures,
communities, and economy.
- Propensity for self-starting and approaching the role in the
spirit of creativity and growth.
- Minimum of 5 years of related work experience; 7 years is preferred.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Trust is committed to creating a diverse work environment and
is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Trust does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,
gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability,
parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under
applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to
apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please
e-mail us at careers@cct.org if you require a reasonable
accommodation to complete this application.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are fundamental to achieving
our impact
The Chicago Community Trust’s vision is a Chicago region where
equity, opportunity, and prosperity abound. We acknowledge the
specific role discrimination and systemic barriers based on race,
ethnicity, and other varied identities and differences have played in
limiting opportunities for too many. A commitment to Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion is at the core of who we are, the decisions we
make, and the actions we take in our work to strengthen the
communities we serve and advance our strategic focus to close the
racial and ethnic wealth gap. Click here to learn
more about our strategic plan.
The History of The Chicago Community Trust
The Chicago Community Trust was founded in 1915 by Norman and Albert
Harris, father and son duo of the Harris Trust and Savings Bank (now
BMO Harris Bank). The Trust was the fourth community foundation ever
created. There are now 750 community foundations in Canada and the U.S.
As our region’s community foundation, the Trust unites generous
donors, committed nonprofits and caring residents to effect lasting
change that moves our entire region forward. Our approach centers on
tackling the region’s immediate needs and addressing the root causes
of deep-seated issues to realize a more prosperous future for all who
call metropolitan Chicago home.
For more than 100 years, donors have entrusted their philanthropic
resources and visions to our stewardship. Guided by our deep knowledge
of the community, we fund, lead, convene and collaborate to address
the greatest and most critical needs facing the Chicago region. From
the $22 million raised to help with unemployment relief in the Great
Depression to spearheading an effort to help people keep their homes
during the foreclosure crisis of the Great Recession to $35 million
raised for the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund, which
supported nonprofits serving our most vulnerable neighbors, Chicagoans
have put their trust in us.
In 2019, we announced we would focus our discretionary spending over
the next decade on working to close Chicago’s growing racial and
ethnic wealth gap. The Trust envisions a Chicago region that’s
stronger and more prosperous because everyone—regardless of race,
ethnicity, or zip code—has equitable access to the opportunities and
resources they need to succeed and live a fulfilling life.
With assets of more than $3.7 billion, the Trust, in partnership with
its donors, distributes more than $600 million in grants each year.
The Trust Team seeks to match the passion and commitment of donors,
grant recipients, residents, and community leaders that continue to
work tirelessly to make the Chicago region one where all have the
opportunity to realize their dreams.
