Posted: June 2022
Please see job description below. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC) is a national nonprofit organization based in Chicago that works to make schools healthier places for all children. HSC advocates for policies and practices that support health and learning, including nutritious school food, physical activity, comprehensive health services, green schoolyards and clean air at school. HSC focuses on issues affecting students of color and those from under-invested communities, and strives to make equity part of the public dialogue about education and health.
HSC works with parents, teachers and principals in Chicago Public Schools, and uses the lessons learned to advocate for key policy and practice changes. HSC also empowers school stakeholders to be agents of change in their schools and districts, and builds the capacity of school leaders to better support student health. This work takes place at the intersection of health, education, equity and sustainability.
HSC’s policy work focuses on integrating health and equity into education policy and practice and leveraging cross-sector partnerships to support student health and school wellness. A core focus of HSC’s national policy work is supporting states and school districts in expanding Medicaid-funded school health services. HSC’s policy work also includes efforts to expand access to healthy school food and promote healthy and sustainable school campuses. HSC has a $2 million budget and a staff of 16.
Position Description
The National Program Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership to the national program, ensuring its operational success, and managing the project team and partnerships, including relationships with funders. The National Program Director will be the external face of the national program. This is a full-time permanent position with the option to work remotely, although a strong preference will be given to candidates in Chicago or Washington, D.C. This position reports to the President + CEO.
Specific responsibilities include:
Strategic Leadership
• Communicate the program’s vision and goals to partners, team members, stakeholders, public officials, current and potential donors and others.
• Develop an annual workplan with clear goals, objectives and a timeline that is consistent with the program budget and meets goals and commitments.
• Develop and implement strategies that align with and support the organization’s other programs.
Program Management
• Lead the Healthy Students, Promising Future Learning Collaborative, HSC’s effort to support states and school districts in expanding access to Medicaid-funded school health services. This will include developing tools and resources to support states and school districts, facilitating meetings, engaging key partners and delivering regular presentations.
• Identify emerging opportunities that support the program’s goals, and develop and implement efforts to advance policy and systems change that leverage these opportunities.
• Lead an effort to develop, disseminate and implement a state school mental health policy agenda to advance implementation of comprehensive school mental health.
• Participate in partnerships to advance a healthy school/whole child agenda and identify new partnership opportunities for advancing HSC’s goals.
• Support HSC’s work to expand Illinois’ school Medicaid program and identify new and emerging opportunities to create synergies between the national and local work.
• Develop and implement a communications plan that supports programmatic goals and makes the case to the public, partners and policymakers for the importance of HSC’s work.
Other Responsibilities
• Lead the project team, which includes HSC staff and consultants.
• Supervise one or more direct reports, including helping them develop workplans, supporting them in meeting program objectives, providing regular feedback on their performance and addressing their professional development needs.
• Manage relationships with the program’s current funders and assist in preparing grant proposals and reports.
• Identify new funding opportunities to allow the program to grow and thrive.
• Support HSC’s individual and corporate giving programs.
• Contribute to reports for funders, the Board of Directors and other audiences.
• Regularly present on HSC’s work to a public audience.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• At least 10 years of relevant post-college experience, with three of those in a team management role.
• Strong project management skills and experience managing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth.
• Experience with managing staff and consultants and building cohesive teams; experience doing this in a virtual environment is a plus.
• Experience in policy and systems change work in school health and wellness required; specific knowledge of school-based healthcare delivery systems or Medicaid preferred.
• Experience in developing and building programs to achieve organizational goals.
• Success leading coalitions and developing effective partnerships; specific experience working with school stakeholders and school-based health providers is a plus.
• Ability to effectively represent HSC to external organizations and individuals, including leading meetings, delivering presentations and speeches, and meeting with funders and policymakers.
• Very strong writing skills and demonstrated experience articulating complex concepts to a variety of audiences.
• Strong technology skills and experience using Google products and the Microsoft Suite in a collaborative work setting.
• Personal qualities of integrity and credibility, and a commitment to and passion for HSC’s mission.
Additional Requirements
• HSC is currently a fully remote workplace, and this position is eligible to be full-time remote long-term. Applicants must have a functioning home office space for virtual work. Residence in the Chicago region (where HSC is based) or Washington, DC region is preferred, but not required; living in the U.S. is required. Applicants must have a functioning home office space for effective virtual work.
• This position will require some travel.
• Applicants must be willing to register as a lobbyist, if required, and comply with all requirements as required by law.
• Applicants must comply with the organization’s COVID Vaccination Policy.
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $70,000 to $85,000 depending on experience. Generous benefit package includes employer-paid medical, dental and disability insurance, 6% employer matching contribution to a retirement plan after one year of employment, and paid vacation and sick leave.
To Apply
HSC is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability or veteran status. HSC strongly encourages Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), women and LGBTQIA+ people to apply.
Send resume and cover letter to: nationalprogramdirector@healthyschoolscampaign.org
Applicants should include their full name in the subject line. No phone calls, please. The position will remain posted until filled.
