Job Description

Title: Director, Mission Sustainability Hub

Reports To: Chief of Staff

Supervises: Mission Sustainability Hub Manager

Org Context For over 50 years, Forefront’s mission has been to build a more vibrant and equitable social impact sector. It is one of the only regional associations in the US whose Membership includes Grantmakers, Operating Nonprofits, and their Advisors. Through active Membership engagement, Forefront provides opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, convening, education, policy engagement, leadership development, and solidarity among Members. We also provide access to our best-in-class Knowledge Center: the largest philanthropic collection in the Midwest offering unique services and resources to the social impact sector of Illinois.

Hub Summary The Mission Sustainability Hub (the Hub) is a collaborative initiative housed at Forefront. Building upon Forefront's Mission Sustainability Initiative (MSI), the Hub is a growing partnership between expert organizations dedicated to strengthening the capacity and resilience of nonprofits. Forefront will serve as the backbone, providing coordination of partners and related programming and administrative oversight. The Hub will provide education along with targeted services, including legal guidance, financial tools and planning guidance, grant assistance, and strategic support, to help nonprofits navigate shifts in the sector’s ecosystem.

Position Summary The Hub Director is a member of the Forefront staff working in collaboration with the programs, finance and administration, revenue development and communications teams. The Director will lead the development of an intake and assessment process for Hub clients, adaptation of existing grant programs, and formation and support of the Hub Advisory Committee, which will provide oversight to the program. The Director will also staff the Hub Steering Committee, which consists of Hub partner organizations and informs the Hub structure and strategy. The Hub Director is a confidential resource for organizations inquiring about the program, providing guidance and referrals to Hub partners and other resources. The Director also maintains relationships in the community to inform referrals for potential Hub clients.

General Job Description

Program Development and Execution

Serve as a welcoming help desk for nonprofit leaders to have a safe place to explore ideas and address challenges. Develop and deliver confidential intake and assessment process for organizations in need of Hub services; provide referrals to Hub partners and other relevant resources.
Manage regular case consultation review sessions with Hub partners to ensure consistent and high-quality service delivery for all Hub clients.
Collaborate with the Senior Director, Programs & Learning, to inform and produce educational programs and workshops about business model innovation and collaboration strategy.
Develop grantmaking priorities and processes with support and guidance from the appropriate committees. Maintain a grantee/applicant-centered grants management process that prioritizes accessibility and transparency. Review grant applications and make funding recommendations.
Maintain working relationships with a roster of consultants with expertise in collaboration and nonprofit business model development.
Stay current on thought leadership, case studies, newly developed tool kits, and other research that may be helpful to nonprofit leaders as they explore business model innovation. Develop or commission thought leadership materials such as case studies highlighting the work of the Hub and its partners.
Manage the program budget; work with Forefront’s accounting and finance teams to ensure accurate expense and income allocation, and provide meaningful financial reports.
Oversee program evaluation. Regularly solicit and incorporate feedback from participants and external partners.
Bring a collaborative focus to work throughout Forefront and support projects, programs, and initiatives across the organization with content and context about business model strategy.

External Engagement and Relationship Management

Serve as the primary liaison to the Mission Sustainability Hub Steering Committee, Advisory Committee. Engage the committees and other Forefront constituents as appropriate in guiding the work.
Build and maintain relationships within the philanthropic community, and support Forefront’s advancement team in securing program funding.
Collaborate with Forefront’s communications team to promote and share information about the program’s activities and shared learning.
Attend Forefront events, networking events, and related meetings to enhance relationships with current and prospective stakeholders. Actively partner with Forefront staff to identify and cultivate prospective new partners. Serve as a spokesperson and ambassador for both the Hub and Forefront’s work.

Internal

Drive evaluation of Hub activities. Manage construction, delivery and analysis of evaluation as needed. Work collaboratively with Program and Development teams to prepare reports.
Make effective use of Forefront systems to manage constituent records in Salesforce to ensure accuracy and support organizational reporting on accomplishments including strategic activities as well as program content, registrations, and attendance.

Contribute to annual department budgeting process. Develop and supervise assigned staff. Supervisory duties include scheduling and job assignment; counseling/coaching; development and training; performance evaluation; and recommending salary, disciplinary, and other personnel actions in accord with relevant policies and procedures.

Other

Demonstrate leadership in accordance with Forefront’s mission, vision, and values.

Position Qualifications

Thorough knowledge of nonprofit management, structure, and challenges, non-profit board development and dynamics, and base level of financial acumen/knowledge of non-profit business models are required. Experience serving as senior management in a nonprofit organization is ideal.
Experience with change management, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships is a plus.
Strong interpersonal skills, including proven listening skills, and strong communications skills, including writing and public speaking are required.
Ability to effectively engage with organizations from varying content areas (e.g., health, human services, education, arts, etc.) facing a diverse set of organizational challenges.
Knowledge of nonprofit organizations in the region/sector; understanding of nonprofit resource development challenges.
Ability to multitask and manage complex projects.
Self-starter with the ability to work independently.
Commitment to learning, openness to new ideas.
Experience working discreetly where confidentiality is necessary.
At least five to seven years of relevant experience.

Location: Must be based in Illinois. This role may be fully remote if candidate is located outside Chicago.

Special Conditions: Periodic evening work; periodic travel (10-15% depending on employee’s base location); regular in-person engagements.

Position Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Salary Range: $90,000 - $100,000 annually

Benefits:

36-hour work week
Hybrid office environment
403(b) with employer match
Generous paid time off policy; paid parental leave.
Professional development assistance
Employer contribution to dental, health, and vision insurance; employers provided disability and life insurance
Flexible spending account
Matching gift policy

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter describing how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of this position. Please note, applications without a cover letter will not be considered.