Programs Director

Reports to: Senior Director of Innovation and ImpactFLSA Status: ExemptSalary: $110,000-$120,000Check all associated application documentation thoroughly before clicking on the apply button at the bottom of this description.Our Culture:HACIA's culture is rooted in our mission & guided by our values charter, which serves as a shared commitment to embodying the principles that define who we are & how we lead, serve, & work together. These five values guide the decisions, partnerships, & actions we take:Community: We build together.Excellence: We set the standard.Integrity: We do the right thing.Stewardship: We care for what's been entrusted to us.Advocacy: We raise our voices for equity & opportunity.At HACIA, we pledge to live these values daily, hold ourselves & one another accountable, & continuously reflect & evolve to ensure these values remain alive in our culture.Essential Duties & Responsibilities:Supervisory Duties:Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, train, & guide new & current department staffProvide ongoing management & performance feedback to ensure high-quality, compliant, & timely program deliveryOversee daily department workflow & resource allocationProvide constructive & timely performance evaluationsIn collaboration with Leadership, handle performance feedback, discipline, & termination in accordance with company policyLeadership & Collaboration:Lead development, implementation, & continuous improvement of high-impact workforce & business capacity training programs aligned with organizational mission & strategyDevelop, initiate, & establish program goals, performance metrics, & success indicatorsPlan & adhere to program budgets & operations in collaboration with the Senior Director of Innovation & Impact & Grant ManagerCreate & implement evaluation strategies to assess performance, report outcomes, & drive improvementSupervise & manage program staff, providing feedback & resolving complex issuesMaintain & build relationships with funders, stakeholders, community partners, & vendorsIdentify & recommend opportunities to enhance efficiency & productivityCollaborate with Membership Department to coordinate & deliver effective member resourcesOversee Programs Department event planningApply change, risk, & resource management principles as neededCreate plans to address issues or discrepancies identified by grantorsKeep leadership informed with accurate reports on program status & outcome metricsLead responses to requests for proposals seeking program fundingProgram Operational Management:Ensure program administration, operations, & activities adhere to grantor requirements, grant agreements, legal guidelines, & internal standardsStay informed on construction industry business & workforce trendsTrack data, measurable outcomes, & timely delivery of goalsPlan programs from start to completion, including deadlines, milestones, processes, & outreachCreate balanced scorecards & program dashboards to track goals & timelinesEstablish consistent, objective program performance standardsEstablish measurable success metrics & track program growthAddress issues or discrepancies identified by grantorsGeneral Responsibilities:Serve as an ambassador of HACIA's programs, events, & servicesStay informed of construction industry trends & barriers to entryPromote & educate stakeholders about HACIA & its servicesParticipate in HACIA events, including annual events & monthly membership meetingsPerform other related duties as assignedCompetencies:Achievement Focus: Demonstrates persistence, sets challenging goals, & recognizes opportunitiesCommunications: Demonstrates strong listening, written, & verbal communication skillsProject Management Focus: Develops approaches, establishes standards, & leads deliveryManaging People: Develops staff, provides direction, feedback, & accountabilityPlanning & Organization: Prioritizes tasks, plans resources, & works efficientlyProblem Solving: Identifies issues early, analyzes data, & develops solutionsStrategic Thinking: Adapt strategy to changing conditions, analyze market & competition, identify external threats & opportunities, & understand organizational strengths & weaknesses.Language Ability: Read, analyze, & interpret business, professional, technical, & governmental documents. Write reports, correspondence, & procedure manuals. Present information & respond to questions from managers, customers, & the public.Math Ability: Work with probability, statistical inference, fractions, percentages, ratios, & proportions in program budget development.Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.Education/Experience:Bachelor's degree in business management or related field; Master's degree preferredMinimum 5 years' experience leading grant-funded workforce or business capacity programsMinimum 5 years' experience leading departments & teamsMinimum 3-5 years managing local, state, &/or federal grant budgets; State of Illinois experience preferredAdvanced knowledge of construction industry trends is a plusExperience managing multiple initiatives preferredAt least 3 years in nonprofit or public sector preferredLanguage Ability:Excellent written & verbal communication skills in EnglishSpanish is a plusPublic speaking comfort & ability requiredComputer Skills:Proficient in MS Office, including Word, Excel, & PowerPointAbility to lead use of data tracking systems such as SalesforceOther Required Qualifications:Executive professional presence representing HACIA positivelyGeneral understanding of the construction industry preferredExperience with membership associations or public-serving constituencies preferredExceptional attention to detailAbility to cultivate & maintain professional relationshipsSelf-directed, organized, innovative, & service-orientedAbility to work with socially & ethnically diverse communitiesStrong analytical, problem-solving, & decision-making skillsAbility to travel for outreach, networking, & programmingCompassionate, discreet, & tactfulStrong time management & multitasking abilityAbility to work independently & in a fast-paced team environmentWork Environment:Primarily an office environment with occasional travel throughout Chicago & Chicagoland. Core hours are 9am-5pm with occasional evening work for member events.Physical Demands:Prolonged sitting & computer useAbility to lift up to 15 poundsFrequent hand use & movement during events, including setup & networkingBenefits:Medical, Dental, & VisionVacationPaid HolidaysSick DaysPersonal Time Off401(k) MatchingRemote WorkdaysDisclaimer:The above job description is intended to describe the general nature of the position and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of duties, skills, and standards required for the position. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities f rom time to time, as needed or as assigned by their supervisor. Equal Employment Opportunity:HACIA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. HACIA hires individuals on the basis of their qualifications & ability to complete the essential requirements & responsibilities of the job to be filled. It is HACIA's policy to grant equal employment opportunities to qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender expression, religion, pregnancy, parental status, marital status, age, veterans' or military status, regardless of how discharged, source of income, credit history, arrest records, or physical or mental handicap or disability, genetic information, or other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. HACIA will provide equal opportunities in all aspects of the employment relationship, including without limitation, recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, working conditions, benefits and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment. All employment decisions are made based on availability, qualifications, ability, merit and/or other legitimate factors consistent with principles of equal employment.Cover letter & responses to the pre-screening questions below are required. Please include in 1 file when submitting or send to Please draw from the experience from your submitted resume and provide specific examples of how you meet the minimum 5 years of leading grant funded workforce and/or program management (preference will be given to candidates that can demonstrate experience leading both). Please provide specific examples, including the grantor of the program. (No more than 3-5 sentences)Please demonstrate your experience managing multiple grant-funded programs at once. What type of programs and how many did you manage at once? What was your involvement with each program?What do you enjoy most about leading programming? What do you enjoy least? (No more than 3-5 sentences)Please draw from the experience from your submitted resume and provide specific examples of how you meet the minimum 5 years of experience leading departments or teams. Be specific about number of years, how many people did you lead?Describe your experience leading and managing teams with different professional backgrounds. What were the biggest issues you faced?Please list your experience managing Illinois grants, including name of the grant and State agency, your role with the grant, specific programmatic goals stated and goals met.Please list your experience managing others grants (city, federal, private). xijylhu Including name of the grant and agency, your role with the grant, specific programmatic goals stated and goals met. Provide specific examples of your proficiency using Microsoft excel and Microsoft SuiteProvide specific examples of your proficiency using CRM systems such as SalesforcePlease draw from the experience from your submitted resume and provide specific examples of how you meet the minimum 3 years of experience working in the non-profit or public sector?

Created: 2026-03-28