Strategic Initiatives Specialist at United Way of Metro Chicago

POSITION:                        Strategic Initiatives Specialist

DEPARTMENT:                Strategic Initiatives

REPORTS TO:                   Vice-President, Strategic Initiatives

FLSA:                                   Full-Time, Exempt 

PAY GRADE:                       5 

SALARY RANGE:              $60,000-$65,000

POSITION OVERVIEW

 211 of Metro Chicago connects community members with easily accessible and accurate information about available community resources. It is a nationally recognized and easy-to-remember phone number that currently serves approximately 95% of the American public. This service facilitates efficient connections between individuals seeking assistance and local health and human service resources.

 The Strategic Initiatives Specialist is responsible for managing and advancing operations, outreach, and advocacy strategies for United Way’s Strategic Initiatives department. This role involves independent judgment, external representation, and strategic planning to enhance and promote United Way of Metro Chicago’s mission across public programming, policy and advocacy, and 211 Metro Chicago services.

 The Specialist should be organized, curious, adaptable, and detail-oriented, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences within the community. They are expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy in cultivating relationships with elected officials, funders, and community partners, while shaping initiatives that drive organizational visibility and impact.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Engagement

• Schedule, help organize, and attend meetings with elected and public officials, including aldermen, state legislators, and other relevant individuals, to advocate for funding of 211 Metro Chicago and other relevant programs/policies.

• Convene and facilitate semi-regular roundtables with philanthropic organizations to advise on advocacy priorities and sector-wide strategy.
• Integrate community voices into policy and funding advocacy by designing outreach methods with agency, union, and community partners.

Outreach

• Manage requests for meetings, presentations, and materials for stakeholders including community partners and coalitions, government partners, elected officials, funders, civic groups, regular briefings, other 211s in Illinois.

• Design and deliver presentations that promote awareness of 211 Metro Chicago and position United Way as a leader in advocacy.
• Develop and implement outreach plans to proactively engage stakeholders and fulfill strategic marketing and advocacy goals.

Communications

• Oversee development and updates to the UW Policy Framework, ensuring alignment with evolving policy and funding priorities.
• Prepare strategic briefings and talking points for organizational leadership.
• Apply data (ALICE, 211) to supplement community voices in advocacy.
• Coordinate messaging strategies with 211 Leadership, Marketing & Communications, and external partners to elevate advocacy impact.

General

• Coordinate with Director of Policy & Advocacy to share participation in coalitions relevant to United Way advocacy
• Collaborate cross-functionally with data, advocacy, and communications teams to leverage insights into actionable strategies.
• Support Director of Policy & Advocacy, Strategic Initiatives and Executive Director, 211, and Labor Liaison on administrative duties as it relates to advocacy, outreach, and basic material/resource creation
• Support Director of Policy & Advocacy to plan a robust lobby day
• Maximize opportunities to leverage UW advocacy efforts to increase funding and awareness of UW and 211 Metro Chicago
• Assist with planning and execution of public programming, including logistical support, event attendance, and marketing/communications support

QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent communication, writing and editing, and organizational skills 
• Demonstrated experience managing outreach, advocacy, or community engagement projects with autonomy.
• Experience in indexing/abstracting or classification strongly preferred
• Computer skills – must be extremely proficient in Excel, Word, Access and experienced with social media
• Detail oriented and strong time management skills 
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to set and manage priorities independently in a fast-paced environment from inception to conclusion.
• A team player capable and willing to support all aspects and jobs required for a successful organization
• Ability to manage priorities and to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment  

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• 2–3 years of nonprofit, advocacy, or policy experience preferred.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Guided by a clear set of Core Values and Behaviors – Equity Minded, Passionate About the Work, A Good Teammate and Curious, you will join an impressive group of individuals and contribute your diverse set of experiences, skills and characteristics to the organization.  
• Accepts guidance and responds well to feedback.
• Displays maturity, good judgment, enthusiasm and personal motivation.
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to anticipate workload and effectively cultivate. and leverage relationships with colleagues to meet deadlines.
• Collaborative entrepreneurial spirit, ability to multi-task and prioritize concurrent projects and day-to-day tasks within a high production and fast-paced environment.

BENEFITS OFFERED 

• Medical, Dental and Vision Life and AD&D Insurance Disability Leave

  Paid Parental Leave  Paid Family Leave  Employee Assistance Program

  401k Plan  Paid Time Off including: Personal Time, Sick Time & Paid Holidays

TO APPLY: Candidates must officially apply through our website with a cover letter and resume along with two examples that best demonstrate their recent work.

The responsibilities listed above are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work required in the role. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. The incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as assigned.

We believe the term “diversity” incorporates all the characteristics that make us both alike and unique: our backgrounds, cultures, nationalities, lifestyles, identities, gender, points of view, approaches to solving problems, ways of working, and views of personal and career success.

It is the intent of United Way to follow both the letter and the spirit of local, state, and federal laws governing Equal Opportunity

Employment as those laws exist today and as they may change in the future