Program Manager IDHS Workforce Development Initiatives

Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) is a workforce development intermediary that keeps jobseekers at the center of all we do. CJC advocates for jobseekers, by researching current pressing matters for the field, develop recommendations and share them broadly to create systemic change. CJC builds capacity for the workforce development field, by developing curriculum that’s offered through trainings, cohort learning and leadership academies based on our research of best practices. CJC influences City, State and Federal Policies related to increasing funding for our public workforce system, creating equitable pathways and eliminating barriers to employment. 

Our Mission: Together with community and institutional leaders, Chicago Jobs Council is re-imagining our workforce system so all people can thrive through employment.

Our Vision is to create an anti-racist workforce development system and employment equity so that everyone can realize their unique pathway out of poverty.

The Program Manager IDHS Initiatives is a full-time, grant-funded position designed to implement and oversee the training of SNAP and other Employment & Training providers throughout Illinois. Responsibilities include project management, curriculum development, facilitation & training, and related technical assistance. This position will require travel, including occasional overnight trips. The Program Manager position reports to the Director of Capacity Building & Training.

 Duties and Responsibilities for the Program Manager

• Project Management: Overseeing and coordinating day-to-day logistics of the IDHS initiatives training program; developing agendas, coordinating communication, preparing materials, facilitating, and following-up on trainings and various stakeholder meetings; convening and leading an Advisory Work Group; collaborating with the internal staff, Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and external consultants 
• Curriculum Development:  Revising existing curriculum to incorporate relevant updates, stakeholder feedback, and emerging best practices; designing experiential, hands-on activities for adult learners; contributing to the design and development of written resources, tools, and materials 
• Facilitation: Developing expertise in workforce development best practices to facilitate trainings for frontline staff; recruiting and training guest speakers, content experts, and other external consultants to help support facilitation
• Technical Assistance: Providing ongoing technical assistance by responding to information requests from providers, administrators, funders, and other stakeholders
• Marketing: Developing and deploying a marketing plan to recruit participants with the support of the Marketing and Communications Manager
• Data Collection & Evaluation: Managing the design and implementation of evaluation tools; collecting and evaluating various forms of data to monitor training goals and outcomes
• Leadership: Supervising IDHS Initiative Program Coordinator(s) and fellows/interns, as needed. 
• Administration:  Coordinating travel logistics; maintaining contracts; completing grant reports and other written products; maintaining program webpage and registration; participating in funder briefings and related meetings 

Experience

• Training, teaching or facilitation experience, including train-the-trainer experience, with ability to tailor presentations to different adult audiences
• Solid experience managing workforce development programs, grants, or initiatives, including outcomes preferred 3-5 years.
• Strong business acumen and project management skills with an ability to manage and grow industry relationships
• Curriculum development experience including writing and researching
• Successful meeting/event planning and/or project management experience
• Minimum 5-7 years of related experience
• Minimum post-secondary credential; Degrees or certifications related to education, training, counseling, and/or social work preferred.