Easter Seals Jobs

The Director, Special Projects leads the execution of the Getting to Zero Illinois Plan 2.0 (GTZ-IL) and related projects, under the Policy and Advocacy department at AFC. GTZ-IL Plan 2.0 serves as a refresh to the existing plan with a defined focus on implementing equitable, systems-level strategies, that are either evidence-based or emerging practices that will collectively advance our efforts to end the HIV epidemic in Illinois by 2030. The Director, Special Projects drives the execution of the GTZ-IL Plan 2.0 through systems-level approaches that include identifying and managing resources, leveraging relationships, developing and leading collaborative efforts, and monitoring the progress of major projects.

The Director, Special Projects - Getting to Zero Illinois also works with public health leaders, community stakeholders, funders and other external partners and works very closely with AFC and Policy and Advocacy Department leadership to ensure high quality development, execution and tracking of GTZ-IL and related special projects.

The salary range for this role is $88,683 to $95,000 annually.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations/ Administrative Support

• Represent the VP, Special Projects & Innovation and/or P & A department at various meetings and events, as needed

• Work with the VP, Special Projects & Innovation to ensure that project teams meet department and organizational goals

• Manage operations and resources of department and cross-departmental project teams, with guidance from department and organization leadership

Project Leadership & Management

• Drive the development, execution and monitoring of mid-size and large project deliverables, budgets, timelines and resources

• Serve as point of contact on assigned projects and initiatives

• Assemble, convene and manage multidisciplinary internal and external teams/stakeholders

• Troubleshoot problems and obstacles associated with the management, development, and execution of projects; facilitate problem resolution

• Provide subject matter expertise, systems level approaches and guidance to department staff and internal and external leadership

• Respond to inquiries about projects

• Lead various project planning and review meetings

• Establish and maintain liaison, as needed, with boards and committees, and across the organization

• Collaborate in the development of departmental plans, goals, objectives, policies and procedures that are aligned with the organization's strategic plan and department goals

• Optimize project management effectiveness and quality

• Stay abreast of project-related legislation, regulations and best and promising practices to inform current and/or upcoming projects

• Assist the department and/or organizational leadership with the development of long-range project strategies, and development plans

• Serve as project representative in the media and with the general public around project related initiatives and outcomes as needed

• Interface with key funders of the GTZ-IL initiative as needed

Tracking and Reporting

• Develop and execute plans and practices for determining project feasibility and monitoring project tracking, reporting and quality assurance

• Provide status and ensure project outcomes reporting based on internal and external stakeholder needs and requests as needed

• Develop and/or review and edit reports to ensure accuracy, relevance, and timeliness

• Utilize data to gather insights for project management and processes improvement and help inform departmental and organizational decision-making

• Work with VP, Special Projects & Innovation to develop, track and monitor project budgets

Community & Stakeholder Engagement and Mobilization

• Develop, implement and assess project-related community & stakeholder engagement and input plans

• Plan, convene and facilitate project community and stakeholder engagement meetings

• Identify and secure resources (i.e., venues, speakers, volunteers, other resources) for community and stakeholder engagement events/meetings

• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Government Relations and members of the Policy & Advocacy team to ensure the strategic utilization of organizing tools for community engagement and to collaborate on project-related interactions with various local, state and federal elected officials and agencies

• Identify, establish and maintain stakeholder relationships and leverage these relationships to optimize project outcomes

• Work with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement project-specific mobilization strategies

Communication and Education

• Develop, implement and assess the effectiveness of project-related community communication and education plans

• Develop, deliver and implement project-related educational/training content and tools

• Seek opportunities to share and utilize best and promising practices and project learnings both internally and externally

• Manage the project management team; set policies, procedures and expectations for team goals, activities and outcomes

Other

• Assist the departmental and/or organizational leadership on other project-related matters

• Assist with agency-wide activities as directed, including Annual Meeting, AIDS Run & Walk

• Maintain and update job knowledge by participating in training and educational opportunities, reading professional publications, and participating in professional organizations

• Protect organization's value and manage risk by keeping information confidential

• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree and minimum three (3) years' experience in project management, people management, supervision and implementation of systems-level strategies and evidence-based interventions. Knowledge of HIV prevention and care and experience with effective program management platforms and processes preferred. Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.

In lieu of a degree, 5 or more years of progressive project coordination or management experience

with a systems-level lens required, with demonstrated increases in responsibility.

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to work efficiently independently and within a team

• Ability to hold confidential and sensitive information

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically

• Familiarity working with diverse constituents and diverse teams

• Strong understanding of public health and/or other healthcare-related systems

• Strong attention to detail, and organizational capacity

• Ability to juggle multiple and competing priorities and deadlines

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to easily and quickly pickup new tools and software as needed, from a project management perspective

LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Strong written and verbal communication skills required. Must be able to read, comprehend, and implement learning from both hard copy and online technical manuals and related information. Ability to effectively, accurately, and articulately present AFC information and respond to questions from groups of funders, staff, and the general public on a variety of issues related to agency programs, policies, and procedures.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Must be able to understand and follow instructions provided in various formats, including written, oral, diagrams, or schedules. Capable of solving practical problems and handling different situations where only limited standardization is present. Additionally, the ability to interpret diverse types of instructions is essential.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid Driver's License, and the physical ability to operate a car.

TRAVEL EXPECTATION

Ability to travel nationally, statewide, and locally up to 50% of the year.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands are representative of those found in a general office environment. Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of {moderate weight (20-25 pounds.) Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.