Vice-President of Programs + Strategy

The Vice President of Programs + Strategy is a senior executive leader responsible for the strategy, quality, and coordinated delivery of The Network's direct programs and services. This role oversees the organization's continuum of care for survivors, including the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline, the Economic Justice Program (including the Survivor Fund), and the Capacity Building team, ensuring that every program is aligned, well-resourced, and delivering measurable impact. The VP also leads development of grant applications and budgets for publicly and privately funded program work.

As a core member of the leadership team, the VP serves as a key partner to the President and CEO, a direct supervisor to Program Directors, and a central connector across staff, survivors, and external community partners. This leader will help The Network navigate complexity, prioritize resources, and strengthen program systems to support sustainable, survivor-centered growth.

Culture is not separate from mission—it is how the mission gets carried out. The VP is expected to lead by example: communicating with respect, modeling sound judgment under pressure, and bringing the same trauma-informed care to colleagues that The Network extends to survivors. This leader helps build a workplace where staff feel safe, valued, and equipped to do their best work.

Core Responsibilities

1. Program Strategy & Organizational Alignment

• Lead the implementation of The Network's strategic plan across all direct-service and advocacy programs
• Ensure all program work aligns with organizational priorities, equity commitments, and survivor-centered values
• Guide program leadership in making strategic decisions about priorities, tradeoffs, and resource allocation
• Translate strategic priorities into annual program goals, work plans, and measurable outcomes
• Advise the President and CEO on program structure, staffing needs, and capacity planning

1. Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline Oversight

• Supervise the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline Director and ensure 24/7 crisis response capacity is maintained
• Oversee hotline staffing, training, and quality-assurance standards to ensure trauma-informed, survivor-centered response
• Monitor call volume, response times, and outcome data to guide continuous improvement
• Ensure the Hotline is integrated with other Network programs so survivors experience seamless, coordinated support
• Represent the Hotline's impact and needs in funder, board, and community conversations

1. Economic Justice Program & Survivor Fund Oversight

• Supervise the Economic Justice Program Director and oversee the Survivor Fund's direct cash-assistance operations
• Ensure Survivor Fund distribution processes are timely, equitable, and responsive to survivor need
• Guide program design and eligibility criteria in partnership with program staff and partner organizations
• Track and report on economic stability outcomes for survivors and households served
• Identify opportunities to strengthen or responsibly scale the Survivor Fund model, in coordination with partner organizations across the network

1. Capacity Building & Training Oversight

• Supervise the Capacity Building team and oversee delivery of training and education programming to partners and the community
• Ensure training curricula reflect current best practices in survivor-centered, trauma-informed care
• Guide the team's approach to evaluating training effectiveness and community impact
• Develop and lead marketing plan for corporate education sessions
• Identify opportunities to expand training partnerships across The Network's 56 partner organizations

1. Program Grant Development & Funded Project Budgets

• Lead development of program grant applications and narratives for publicly and privately funded projects
• Build and manage program budgets for grant-funded projects in partnership with finance and program staff
• Ensure grant applications and budgets accurately reflect program design, staffing, and outcomes across the Hotline, Economic Justice Program, and Capacity Building team
• Track grant deliverables and reporting timelines to ensure funder compliance
• Partner with the CEO and development staff to align program funding proposals with organizational fundraising strategy

1. Program Technology Platforms

• Support identification, selection, and development of technology platforms that serve the Hotline, Economic Justice Program, Capacity Building team, and other supervised programs
• Partner with program directors and IT/consultants to assess platform needs, including case management, data collection, and client-facing tools
• Oversee ongoing performance, security, and reliability of program technology platforms
• Ensure platforms support consistent data collection and reporting across programs, including for funder and board reporting
• Guide budgeting and resourcing decisions related to program technology, in partnership with finance

1. Program Operations & Infrastructure

• Oversee core program operational systems, including case management tools, referral pathways, and vendor/consultant processes
• Ensure efficient and scalable systems that support staff and program delivery across the full continuum of care
• Align internal tools with strategic priorities and funder reporting needs
• Improve workflows, decision-making processes, and cross-program coordination
• Ensure program operations comply with relevant nonprofit and human-services requirements

1. Program & Cross-Functional Alignment

• Ensure programmatic work is aligned with staffing, budgets, and operational capacity in partnership with finance and HR functions
• Support Program Directors in planning, execution, and resource management
• Facilitate cross-team collaboration between the Hotline, Economic Justice Program, and other Network programs
• Ensure consistency in how program teams plan, track, and deliver work
• Coach and support Program Directors in people leadership, feedback, and team development

1. External & Board Engagement

• Support the CEO in Board engagement, particularly around program performance and survivor outcomes
• Contribute to funder engagement and communicate program impact and operational strength
• Represent The Network's programs in select external spaces as needed

Qualifications & Attributes

• 8–12+ years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit program management, direct services, or crisis response
• Strong experience overseeing crisis-line, hotline, or other direct survivor-facing services
• Experience with economic empowerment, cash-assistance, or financial stability programs preferred
• Experience overseeing training, education, or capacity-building initiatives
• Demonstrated success developing grant applications and managing budgets for publicly and privately funded projects
• Experience identifying, implementing, or overseeing program technology platforms (e.g., case management or data systems)
• Deep understanding of survivor-centered, trauma-informed program design and delivery
• Proven ability to align people, operations, and program strategy
• Strong people manager and coach with high emotional intelligence
• Experience in advocacy, collaborative, or membership organizations preferred
• Commitment to equity, survivor-centered work, and trauma-informed practices
• Models emotionally intelligent, collaborative leadership that strengthens organizational culture
• Leads by example, bringing the same respect and trauma-informed care to colleagues that The Network extends to survivors
• Highly organized, systems-oriented, and able to manage complexity and competing priorities

The Network is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ qualified individuals based on individual merit. The Network does not discriminate against any individual with respect to the terms and conditions of employment based on that individual’s race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, housing status, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. The Network is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team.

Fully paid employee health insurance with 50% dependent coverage

Optional vision and dental coverage

Credits on Holisticly benefits platform

Generous PTO allotment with Summer Fridays and one paid week off during winter holidays.

403b Retirement plan offered.

Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.