As The Chicago Community Trust ("the Trust") deepens its efforts to close the racial and ethnic wealth gap in the Chicago region, the VP, Community Impact/Chief Impact Officer (VP) will provide functional and thought leadership to advance the Trust’s strategic goals by leading the team that is engaged in discretionary grant making, strategic partnerships and initiatives, advancing policy and systems change, and convening stakeholders for action. The VP also serves as a key spokesperson for the Trust. Overall, through these activities, the VP advances the Trust’s role as a catalyst for change.

An exceptional leader, the VP will supervise, inspire, and develop an engaged and dynamic team, leveraging their diverse skill sets and ensuring all members are aligned and motivated towards achieving the Trust’s grant making objectives, policy and advocacy goals, and integrated strategic priorities. In a highly collaborative manner, the VP and Community Impact team plan and execute grant making on the Trust’s core initiatives, advocate for policy change, and oversee collaborative strategies that further the Trust’s mission. The VP is responsible for establishing clear goals and is accountable for making demonstrable progress in achieving them.

The VP, Community Impact/Chief Impact Officer will have the following qualities, skills, and characteristics:

A Champion for Closing the Racial and Ethnic Wealth Gap

In alignment with the Trust’s strategy and goals, the VP will be personally and professionally motivated to close the racial and ethnic wealth gap in Chicago. This leader will have a deep understanding of the root causes of the racial and ethnic wealth gap and the societal challenges it creates. This resourceful coach and capable facilitator will relentlessly pursue creating an environment where every employee is motivated by this common goal. Moreover, the VP will enthusiastically help the organization’s staff develop awareness, comfort, and confidence to address and champion equity in all aspects of the organization and its services. This leader will also have unquestioned integrity, ethics, and values - someone who can be trusted without reservation.

A Strategic and Visionary Leader

The VP will be highly strategic and thoughtful, having the ability to set priorities decisively and collaboratively, delegate responsibilities, ensure accountability, and allocate resources to ensure results. The VP will also be a visionary leader, capable of creating a comprehensive and ambitious vision for the Community Impact department that aligns with the Trust's strategic priority of closing the racial and ethnic wealth gap. This leader will be able to think creatively and innovatively about grant-making, policy and advocacy, strategic partnerships and convening efforts, and will be able to inspire and motivate the team to execute this vision effectively. This leader will bring experience affecting change in complex environments and a proven record of converting strategy into effective execution, offering creative, practical ideas to achieve the Trust’s strategic priorities. Moreover, the VP will be driven by a desire to innovate and will lead the Trust in reimagining its approach to grant making and social impact, building this into an overarching vision that inspires the team and colleagues across the sector. Critical to success in this role, the VP will be inclusive, allowing for consensus building and promoting the recognition of teamwork, collaboration, and internal growth. This leader will build bridges and engage colleagues interdepartmentally. A diplomatic, approachable, and supportive professional, the VP will be a catalyst for change and growth, inspiring all to think entrepreneurially and welcome new ideas. This leader will possess a strong sense of confidence and a style that will resonate with all as they will help to develop and retain a talented programmatic team.

An Influential Leader and Relationship Builder

The VP will be skilled at building and sustaining excellent relationships at multiple levels with varied constituencies including the Executive Committee and Trustees, leadership team, corporate and community leaders, the Community Impact team, and colleagues across the Trust. This leader will work in close alignment with the President & CEO and senior team to ensure that messages are consistent to all constituents. They will bring a high level of intellectual horsepower and a curious, collaborative, and creative mindset to assist in the growth of the Trust. The VP will have an inspirational approach to building partnerships and buy-in and generating support from constituents. This will be a charismatic, high-energy leader who can communicate effectively with constituents from a variety of backgrounds and successfully convey the Trust’s objectives. By establishing a cohesive vision with the team, the CPO will naturally be a driver of cultivating an organization-wide understanding of and partnership around impact.

An Expert and Innovator in Community Impact

The VP’s eye will consistently focus on the future and how to best adapt and grow the Trust’s work in this changing field. This requires a leader with a collaborative work ethic who seeks partnerships and builds coalitions with community leaders, researchers, donors, foundations, nonprofit organizations, and leaders connecting philanthropy to impact. This leader will have an inspirational approach to building synergy across Chicago’s philanthropic, nonprofit, public, and business sectors to achieve social impact goals. The ideal candidate will have deep experience in one or more of the specific areas of CI work (community economic development, homeownership and wealth building, collective power and civic engagement, policy and advocacy, critical needs) and lead their teams to work closely with community partners in achieving their goals while strengthening collaborative efforts with others.

Position Responsibilities:

Strategy and Collaboration

• Oversee and direct administration of the Community Impact function, including CI teambuilding and leadership, budgeting, general operations, and impact reporting.
• Work with Strategic Communications colleagues to implement communication strategies that demonstrate and enhance the Trust’s reputation as a grant maker, convener, and changemaker.
• Collaborate closely with the Philanthropic Services team to develop and execute strategies that bring additional philanthropic support to CI work, ensuring that resources are effectively allocated to programs and initiatives that are most likely to drive meaningful change.
• In alliance with the President & CEO and the CFO, prepare and manage the department’s annual operating budget and grant making budget to support the goals of the long-range strategic plan.
• Staff the Budget and Compensation Committee of the Board, including creating agendas with the Chair, preparing materials for review, and partnering with them as ambassadors for the Trust’s programs.

Leadership

• Build, nurture, lead and inspire an exceptional team and culture.
• Build strong and sustainable strategic partnerships with local and national thought leaders, philanthropic leaders, and practitioners as well as Trust donors and community stakeholders, all in service of strategic goal outcomes.
• Lead, coach, and, in partnership with the Talent team, ensure professional development of CI team members.
• Be accountable for overall organizational leadership as a member of the Leadership Team.
• Partner with the Grants Management team on strategic grantmaking to ensure sustainable success and maximum value of the grants management system (GMS).
• Oversee master planning, budget development, implementation oversight, and, in collaboration with Learning and Impact, strategic performance measures.
• Be accountable for building organizational knowledge as well as managing, coaching, and guiding the activities of key Trust staff across the organization to integrate this goal into their work.
• Represent the Trust and its strategy externally, including through speaking engagements, media opportunities, and presentations with key stakeholders.
• Collaborate cross-functionally within the Trust and maintain close partnerships with Learning and Impact, Philanthropic Services, Grants Management, and Strategic Communications teams.

Position Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field of study preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of related work experience.
• Experience developing and leading teams to achieve organizational goals.
• Demonstrated credibility and thought leadership in advancing economic equity goals, particularly in the network of local and national actors, agencies, and organizations dedicated to economic mobility in large urban communities.
• Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with social impact leaders across public, private, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors to leverage collective outcomes.
• Demonstrated credibility working with racially and ethnically diverse and low-income urban communities on community asset development.
• Experience influencing philanthropic funders in support of an organizational mission.
• Experience in the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies to drive economic equity and in promoting and contributing to a strong learning culture.
• Experience in project development and management.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to listen well, convey thoughts clearly, speak publicly, and work effectively as a member of a team.

Benefits Offered to Full-Time Employees

• Medical
• FSA (health and dependent)
• HSA
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) with match
• 401(k) discretionary contribution
• Roth with match
• Hybrid (2 days in/3 days remote)
• Vacation
• Sick Days
• Personal Days
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pre-tax commuter and parking plans
• Short/Long Term Disability
• Basic and Supplemental Insurance plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health Advocacy
• On-site fitness center
• Gift Matching Program
• Paid Civic Duty Leaves

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 $4.5 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.
From: The Chicago Community Trust