Director of Community Education (Schools and Youth)

WE ARE

Northwest Center (NWC) is a community - based organization rooted in and serving Belmont Cragin and the greater Northwest side of Chicago. Northwest Center identifies and responds to the needs of the community by leveraging resources to improve the economic wellbeing

and quality of life in Belmont Cragin and the surrounding communities. Through housing counseling, financial literacy programs, and community activism, we’ve helped thousands of families on Chicago’s northwest side keep their homes, create financial opportunities, and grow as organizers and leaders.

We’re about cultivating and sustaining an environment of empowerment, inclusivity, justice, and equity so residents can keep building their neighborhood into the home they want it to be.

VALUES

Community led | Community members develop as leaders and advocates.

Relational |Relationships are built and sustained.

Responsive | Community strengths, priorities, and needs shape our work.

Data-driven | Data guide decisions and learning.

Equitable | Barriers to equitable outcomes are dismantled.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Community Education is responsible for overseeing Northwest Center’s Community Education department that youth services and programming, and our Sustainable Community Schools initiative. The Director of Community Education will also work with the Executive Director to help develop new programs and market existing programs through grassroots community outreach and building strong partnerships with stakeholders.

Title: Director of Community Education

Status: Full-Time Exempt

Reports to: Executive Director

YOU ARE

A knowledgeable, people-oriented leader dedicated to building supportive infrastructure within Belmont-Cragin and Chicago Public Schools communities. Committed to fighting for equity and social justice for all marginalized communities. Experience working with youth, parents, community, and in school settings.

YOU BRING

• 3+ years of experience leading non-profit teams
• 1+ years of experience in working in a public-school setting or with youth
• Bilingual Proficiency (Spanish/English)
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, self-directed atmosphere
• Has previous experience working with parents and/or in a public-school setting
• Has a demonstrated commitment to equity and social justice
• Has an ability to multi-task multiple projects and fulfill project timelines
• Has experience with the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Has a working knowledge of Chicago Public Schools including different departments, structures, and how the school district is structured and operates
• Has the ability to participate in and manage conflicting viewpoints

Key Responsibilities

• Champion and promote the organization's mission, vision, and values, ensuring these principles are consistently integrated into staff culture, decision-making, and daily operations.
• Serve as a visible, influential, and collaborative leader across the organization, among key stakeholders, and within the Chicago community.
• Provide strategic leadership, supervision, and operational oversight for the Community Education staff and programs.
• Review, verify, and approve contractor timesheets to ensure accuracy and timely processing.
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with existing community partners while identifying and developing new partnerships that support organizational growth and program success.
• Ensure all assigned programs remain compliant with contractual obligations, performance goals, reporting requirements, and funding guidelines.
• Collaborate closely with the Finance Department to ensure vouchers, invoices, and related documentation are submitted accurately and within required deadlines.
• Lead all aspects of staff management, including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, mentoring, performance management, professional development, scheduling, coaching, and disciplinary actions in accordance with organizational policies and HR procedures.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate program plans, policies, and strategic objectives; establish measurable outcomes and monitor program performance through regular staff meetings and performance reviews.
• Partner with the Development Team to identify funding opportunities, cultivate relationships with prospective and existing funders, and support grant-related activities, including site visits and donor engagement efforts.
• Design, launch, and oversee new programs and initiatives; evaluate program effectiveness and continuously improve program content and curriculum to align with the organization's strategic priorities.
• Facilitate and lead monthly program team meetings to promote communication, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Represent the organization at community meetings, networking events, and partnership-building activities to enhance visibility, strengthen community engagement, and expand program impact.
• Act as the organizational representative and primary authority on program operations in the absence of the Executive Director.
• Attend and actively participate in required training, professional development opportunities, departmental meetings, and staff meetings.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive organizational, client, and personnel information.
• Stay informed of industry trends, best practices, and emerging developments through continuing education, professional publications, networking, and participation in relevant professional associations.
• Perform additional duties and special projects assigned by the Executive Director.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Our team is currently operating in person. Schedules are arranged by position to maximize flexibility and the needs of the position.
• This position operates primarily in an office environment that is fully accessible and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, copiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to converse and exchange information and will frequently need to move/traverse.
• The nature of our community-based work often involves evening and weekend obligations, and some travel to off-site locations in the Chicago metro area

SALARY & BENEFITS

• Salary range: $62,000 to $72,000
• HMO and PPO Health Insurance Options
• Vision, and Dental, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Excellent PTO compared to industry average, starting at 5 weeks a year plus14 paid holidays annually

Equal Opportunity Employer

Northwest Center is committed to diversity among its staff and recognizes that its continued success requires the highest commitment to obtaining and retaining a diverse staff that provides the best quality services to supporters and constituents. We strongly encourage diverse candidates– people of color, immigrants, women, gender nonconforming, and people with disabilities, to apply.

Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service and/or marital status, order of protection status, handicap, disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes.

• HMO and PPO Health Insurance Options
• Vision, and Dental, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Excellent PTO compared to industry average, starting at 5 weeks a year plus14 paid holidays annually

Must be English/Spanish bilingual.