Opportunities From: Giving DuPage

Job Summary

The Vice President of Housing is a full-time (40 hours per week) position that serves as the principal leader of all housing services and portfolio oversight. Housing programs include Transitional Housing, Stability, and Pathways Programs. This leadership role is responsible for the oversight and development of housing services and housing portfolio, management of staff, budget management, and external community relationship building. The Vice President of Housing ensures that all services are compliant with federal and state funders and advocates for families experiencing homelessness. The Vice President is responsible for execution of strategic plan initiatives as they relate to housing services and portfolio management, monitoring of program data outcomes, organizational and departmental goal striving and policy management. The Vice President represents the agency at area conferences and membership to community-based boards and task forces. The Vice President co-facilitates volunteer mentor training and attends meetings with funders and the board of directors.

The Vice President of Housing reports to the Chief Executive Officer. They supervise the housing leadership team, consisting of 4 full-time staff, which directly manage the housing portfolio, case management and intake teams, and volunteer client-facing mentor teams. The Vice President collaborates with the Vice President of Impact and Evaluation to ensure that client outcomes and organizational goals are properly monitored. The position serves on the Bridge Leadership Team (BLT) and closely collaborates with all members of the BLT. This position is a hybrid work schedule with an office at our headquarters in Glen Ellyn; this position is expected to be in the office 3-4 days per week and be open to work hours outside of regular business hours, with nights and weekends to be expected.

Responsibilities

Program Oversight and Development: 35%

·       Oversee scopes of work for all housing programs ensuring ongoing programmatic excellence. This includes allocation of real estate portfolio in relation to program housing.

·       Provide housing services and portfolio oversight through collaboration with case management and intake supervisor, Program Partner liaison, and housing portfolio manager.

·       Co-facilitate, in cooperation with housing portfolio manager, compliance monitoring and audits from local, state, and federal grant funders.

·       Recruit, develop, and retain high-performance housing program team members, coaching them to excel in their identified core competencies and position responsibilities. Meet quarterly to review direct reports’ professional and performance goals and conduct annual performance evaluations.

·       Monitor and make needed adjustments to ensure achievement of strategic plan initiatives and organizational goals related to program housing and portfolio management.

·       Collaborate with direct reports and Vice President of Impact and Evaluation to ensure the integrity of data collection and data input in relation to program housing and portfolio management. Monitor housing dashboards, identify and share opportunities for automation and improvements.

·       Collaborate with Vice President of Impact and Evaluation on development and/or maintenance  of logic model, environmental feedback, and literature reviews in relation to program housing and portfolio management.

·       Collaborate with direct reports and Vice President of Impact and Evaluation to develop and execute client exit and satisfaction surveys, and programmatic goal update and outcome reports. Lead the presentation of said reports to stakeholders and implement feedback loops for recommended changes to program housing services.

·       Fully understand and participate in Bridge Communities’ Crisis Management and Communication Plan, alert the CEO and direct reports as necessary to any incident that may meet the crisis criteria.

Interface External Stakeholders: 35%

·       Co-facilitate volunteer mentor training, this includes serving on Mentor Training Taskforce, assisting in the development of training curriculum, and co-leading training sessions.

·       Build and retain relationships with community partners, including other human-services providers, DuPage County Continuum of Care, faith-based organizations, and funders. Special emphasis on agency and policy makers within DuPage County or impacts on DuPage County.

·       Advocate for the needs of families experiencing homelessness within the community at-large and with policymakers.

·       Represent Bridge Communities with funders and private donors in cooperation with the fund development team.

·       Regularly connect with external agencies, businesses, and individuals to stay current on housing services, laws and regulations related to homelessness, affordable housing, trauma-informed care principles, and best practices.

·       Oversee external communications and outreach materials as they relate to program housing services. Collaborate with marketing staff to create and distribute.

Administrative Leadership: 30%

·       Establish a work culture that recognizes and celebrates diverse perspectives, Bridge Communities’ values, open communication, and trauma-informed principles.

·       Lead the monitoring of program client entries and exits to maximize program housing occupancy and minimize vacancies and revenue loss. Collaborate with direct reports to execute changes to portfolio and program housing growth or attrition.

·       Develop and manage the housing budget in cooperation with direct reports and the Vice President of Finance and Administration. Approve payment requests and invoices, as needed.

·       Develop the housing allocation budget in cooperation with direct reports and the Vice President of Finance and Administration. Ensure that allocations are properly managed through regular meetings with direct reports and the Chief Executive Officer.

·       Collaborate with the fund development team to provide requested data, goals, and reporting to private and public funders.

·       Participate as a member of the Bridge Leadership Team (BLT) taking shared ownership for the achievement of strategic plan initiatives, organizational goals, and housing departmental goals.

·       Serve as primary liaison with the Program Committee of the Board of Directors, participate in Board of Directors’ quarterly meetings. Serve on additional leadership committees or task force as requested by the CEO.

All Bridge Communities staff are expected to demonstrate in their performance the agency’s identified Core Competencies: Service to Mission, Stewardship, Leadership, Innovation, and Collaboration. Staff is also expected to believe in and demonstrate our agency values of Partnership, Hope, Integrity, Respect, and Empowerment.

All Bridge Communities’ staff adhere to the highest ethical standards in management, governance, and fund development. Convey a professional and positive image and attitude regarding Bridge and NFP sector. Demonstrate commitment to professional growth and development. Demonstrate commitment to strengthening Bridge Communities’ policies and practices as they relate to equity and belonging. 

Qualifications

1)      Education and Experience

a)      A bachelor's degree required in the field of social services, ministry, or related field of study

b)      Graduate studies in social work are strongly preferred; with a licensure that allows for supervision of graduate students

c)      At least 8 years in social service program management, and 6 years in staff management

d)      Bilingual communication (English/Spanish) is desired. A signing bonus up to $2,000 will be given with proven conversational Spanish language communication skills.

e)      This position is salaried, non-exempt with an annual salary range of $94,000 - $104,000 depending on years of experience and licensure status

2)      Knowledge and Skills

a)      Proven track record of building and cultivating relationships across diverse groups

b)      Proven track record of recruiting and developing direct reports and inspiring them to solve problems and work independently

c)      Superior listening, written and verbal communication skills with a belief in leading through collaboration and shared goals

d)      Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to determine needs and best plan of action and best use of limited resources

e)      An understanding and commitment to using data and outcomes to drive decision-making

f)        Demonstrated flexibility and resilience to change plans and navigate challenges

g)       Ability to gauge when the needs of others is to probe for more information, pause and listen, or to take action; an ability to innately understand the needs of others

h)      Ability to be a motivating and inspiring public speaker

i)        Experience and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word / Excel / Outlook/ PowerPoint). Knowledge of Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Sign, and Salesforce are preferred

While performing duties of this position, employee will be required, on occasion, to lift up to 25 pounds.  Ability to climb stairs. Ability to stand on feet for extended periods may be needed. A valid Illinois Driver’s License, auto insurance and ability to travel locally are required.

To Apply:

Bridge Communities is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to grant equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, age, national origin, sex, religion, pregnancy, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. This policy pertains to all personnel actions including, but not limited to recruitment, evaluation, selection, promotion, compensation, and termination.

To learn more, please visit us at https://www.bridgecommunities.org/support-us/mentor

Donate your car to Bridge Communities and you will directly help a family facing homelessness get on the road to self-sufficiency. For details, visit https://www.bridgecommunities.org/support-us/ways-to-donate/car-donations

Bridge Communities accepts and distributes donated retail and gas gift cards to client families throughout the year.  These donations are very helpful to families when they experience an unexpected expense that can cause havoc to their limited budget. 

Please email mary.slade@bridgecommunities.org

As Bridge Communities families live on very limited budgets, they may have difficulty affording expensive household cleaning and laundry supplies. Help us keep their supply closets stocked by organizing a drive in your neighborhood, school, organization or religious community for these essential items! For details, please visit https://www.bridgecommunities.org/support-us/ways-to-donate/in-kind-gifts or email mary.slade@bridgecommunities.org.

Do you have a heart for families working to rebuild their lives? Bridge Communities offers a wide range of volunteer and giving opportunities appropriate for individuals, families, faith communities, schools, businesses, clubs, and more. Please click on the link below to learn more about opportunities for you and your network to get involved with Bridge. Help 100+ families experiencing homelessness transition to self-sufficiency. 

https://www.bridgecommunities.org/support-us/volunteer

Bridge Communities has many families who have special hair care needs and are unable to use general shampoos and conditioners.

Below are some specific products that would meet their specialized hair care needs. Donations of these products would be appreciated.

Please contact Mary Slade to learn more and arrange drop off of the donated items at a convenient location. mary.slade@bridgecommunities.org, 630-403-5098.

We are in need of tutors to work with the families Bridge serves.  We require at least 2 years of tutoring experience and/or teaching experience.  

We are looking for tutors for a variety of subjects and grade levels.

If you would like to be a volunteer tutor, please contact Mary Slade, Children's Activities and Education Manager at mary.slade@bridgecommunities.org.