Chicago Application and Enrollment Manager - Careers At Illinois Action for Children (2024)

ABOUT US:

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), a local, state, and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 50 years. IAFC programs, services, and advocacy improve learning and life outcomes for children and families, including reducing the effects of poverty. IAFC works to ensure that every child in Illinois – particularly those in need – have access to the necessary resources to succeed in school and in life.

Along with our mission, IAFC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist culture. We are dedicated to this pledge through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and servicing our staff and clients. IAFC staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our essential work.

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Chicago Early Learning, the Chicago Application and Enrollment Manager plans and oversees all aspects of the Go CPS and Chicago Early Learning Hotlines. The manager will hire and train staff, establish and manage administrative systems, and provide input in managing project budgets. All work is to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with Company standards.

This incumbent will be expected to promote and adhere to the workplace core capabilities of accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement, communication, competent people, and clear priorities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The company reserves the right to add to, delete, change, or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.

1. Plans and manages the work of the following programs:
   • Go CPS Hotline
   • Chicago Early Learning Hotline
2. Monitor and analyze hotline data, community data and early learning and childcare trends to implement quality support and customer service across two hotlines and to better understand the application and enrolment patterns of families.
3. Create and implement CQI (Continuous Quality Improvement) process for internal teams and external partners to ensure real time feedback on barriers to application and enrollment in Chicago Early Learning and Go CPS programs.
4. In collaboration with the Chicago Early Learning Supervisor, ensure adequate coverage of Chicago Early Learning and GoCPS hotlines during peak and non-peak seasons.
5. Responsible for internal and external reporting and assessing the effectiveness of programs and implementing improvements to improve programs overall success.
6. Recruits, train, supervise and motivate staff.
7. Support the Assistant Director in managing the program budgets, facilities, material and equipment and other assets to ensure responsible controls over and utilization of Illinois Action for Children resources.
8. Collaborate with Neighborhood Partnerships Manager and Chicago Community Impact Manager to ensure alignment of Chicago Early Learning work. Share data with managers to support CEL outreach and engagement.
9. Coordinate and lead team meetings. Support Assistant Director with planning and facilitating full CEL team meetings.
10. Manage Salesforce and Smartsheet project management software and systems.
11. Model the routine, intentional and effective use of technology and systems in daily work, including communications, organization, and management tasks
12. Execute our workplace core capabilities of accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people, and clear priorities.
13. Other Functions: The Organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises the Chicago Early Learning Supervisor. Formal responsibility for planning, assigning, directing, and coordinating the work of the GO CPS Hotline & the Chicago Early Learning Hotline. Performs employee evaluations and makes pay and/or hiring decisions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in Social Services, Early Education, or related field with at least 18 credit hours of child development, 3-5 years’ work experience with direct childcare. Previous supervisory experience is required. Previous hotline and/or call center experience a plus.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong leadership and team-building skills; ability to focus a diverse group of professionals around a clear goal and then monitor progress towards that goal;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and drive multiple projects concurrently, both independently and as a member of a team;
• Proven track record of success and a clear focus on results;
• High standards for performance and ability to maximize employee performance;
• An unyielding commitment to continuous improvement and the ability to use multiple sources of data to inform short- and long-term decisions;
• Effective communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills;
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Ability to travel locally.

Benefits of Working at IAFC:

• Working with passionate team members that are driven by our Mission: Illinois Action for Children is a catalyst for organizing, developing, and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most.
• We strive to foster and implement a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization. We know it is not only critical to the success of diversity initiatives - but instrumental in creating an unbiased and inclusive workplace! It not only relates to the diverse clients we serve but also creates a positive employee experience.
• We offer an extensive benefits package that adds value to your total compensation. Our benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans with a company contribution of 95% for single coverage
• 401k with company match
• Generous PTO – first year-23 days, the second year-28 days, the third year and on - 35 days
• 11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Tuition Reimbursem*nt
• Flexible Spending Account
• STD & LTD insurance
• Company-paid Life Insurance

Salary: $64,100 (annualized) based on background and experience

Location: Chicago, Chatham

Illinois Action for Children is EEO/M/F/V/D employer

While we desire for this job posting to be comprehensive, all aspects of the position may be amended at any time at the discretion of IAFC including job duties, work location and/or work schedule.