Executive Director of IMPACT and Vice President of Leadership Programming

POSITION: Executive Director of IMPACT and Vice President of Leadership Programming

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: President & CEO

REQUIRED START DATE: May 1, 2024

BACKGROUND:

The Chicago Urban League launched the IMPACT Leadership Development Program (IMPACT) in September 2014. The mission of IMPACT is to create a pipeline of Informed, Motivated, Perceptive, Authentic, and Connected Talent who will form the next generation of Chicago leaders available to fill critical roles in the business, public, and nonprofit sectors.

IMPACT empowers young Black executives by providing them with the tools and skills necessary to thrive in increasingly responsible leadership roles. It accomplishes this through a robust curriculum that comprises six distinct program elements: (1) leadership modules; (2) historical and political perspective modules; (3) current issue modules; (4) individual leadership assessments; (5) the supplemental “Lessons in Leadership” speaker series; (6) one-on-one mentorship.

The Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago is the education partner for IMPACT. They provide our leadership instruction and host our monthly program modules at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago. In addition to our monthly modules, which serve as the program’s classroom learning component, Fellows participate in supplementary events and activities each month. These program elements are designed to provide a rich platform for intergenerational exchange and professional networking.

Since its launch, the program has graduated over 300 Black leaders who are making impressive advances in their professional and civic lives. A significant majority of IMPACT alumni have secured jobs with greater responsibility, and scores have joined nonprofit boards and advisory councils. The Vice President/Executive Direction has a unique opportunity to build on the successful track record of IMPACT, and broaden the professional and civic influence of Black leaders across Chicagoland.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

The Executive Director/Vice President will assume responsibility for all of the daily operational activities of IMPACT, which include program execution, marketing, budgeting, financial management and stewardship. To support these efforts, the ED/VP will collaborate with the IMPACT Program Manager to execute the program.

• Curate subject matter experts to support IMPACT’s historical and civic modules
• Work closely with the Booth School of Business Faculty Advisor to support IMPACT’s skill-based Booth Leadership Modules and supplemental activities
• Supervise the Program Manager’s support of the IMPACT Alumni Association, which serves as the platform for post-program alumni engagement
• Drive and manage the Fellow recruitment and selection process in partnership with the External Affairs team
• Collaborate with the IMPACT Advisory Council, a volunteer board of civic leaders who participate in Fellow candidate interviewing and selection processes
• Create and manage the program’s annual budget
• Recruit senior Black professionals to serve as mentors for cohort members
• Direct IMPACT’s Lessons in Leadership supplemental activities by attracting distinguished professionals to support the cohort
• Work with the Director of Learning and Evaluation to ensure that in-process and post-program measurements are executed. Use the data and feedback collected to enhance program content and drive operational improvements.
• Drive fundraising activities with foundations, corporations and individual givers in collaboration with CUL’s Development team. Manage earned revenue opportunities with program sponsors.
• Collaborate with the Booth Rustandy Center’s IGNITE program, a new partnership focused on accelerating the effectiveness of nonprofits primarily serving the Black community

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The ED/VP manages the IMPACT Program Manager who supports all program activities

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

The ideal candidate will have a passion for IMPACT’s mission to cultivate and motivate emerging Black leaders to reach their fullest potential. This individual will have a proven track record of leading others, appreciate collaboration with a variety of constituents and have the ambition and thought leadership to build on IMPACT’s strong foundation to amplify its influence.

• Exhibits confidence and ability to both lead and execute
• Demonstrates outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills
• Possesses capable strategic and tactical planning, critical thinking, analytical and persuasion skills
• Has a familiarity with significant issues facing the Black community
• Demonstrates general knowledge of Chicagoland’s professional, civic and cultural landscape and institutions
• Exhibits a proven ability to work effectively and diplomatically with a broad variety of constituents (civic and business leaders, academics, executive coaches, program participants, staff peers, etc.)
• Demonstrate an aptitude to serve as a “brand ambassador” to represent IMPACT in the community through in-person interactions and using a variety of social media tools in collaboration with CUL’s External Affairs team
• Has experience creating and managing budgets
• Has a track record as a creative problem solver with a strong sense of responsibility to meet program outcomes or organizational goals
• Possesses a track record of efficient time management skills with an ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet strict deadlines for events and a variety of program processes
• Demonstrates the enthusiasm and ability to cultivate a culture that embraces and promotes Black excellence, encourages cooperation, and celebrates others’ successes
• Has the aptitude to foster an environment that embraces authenticity, diverse talents, and individual differences

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s preferred

• 10+ years of managing a multifaceted, high-stakes program or business unit
• Experience in multiple sectors is a plus

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to careers@chiul.org . Please include “Executive Director of IMPACT” in the subject line.

Chicago Urban League
4510 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL, 60653


National Urban League