Public Benefits Program Manager

Since 1870, Erie Neighborhood House has provided the most comprehensive support immigrant and low-income families in Chicago need to thrive and has constantly evolved to meet their needs. Today, Erie House is a modern social services nonprofit with programming and resources for children and youth, mental health and community wellness, adult education and training, legal services, and more. Through these programs, we empower the people we work alongside to build powerful communities.

Erie Neighborhood House, a community-building agency empowering Chicago’s low-income and immigrant families, and dedicated to promoting a just and inclusive society is seeking a Public Benefits Program Coo. The Public Benefits Program Manager basic function is to manage the Public Benefits Program and will work closely with the Public Benefits team to coordinate activities between Public Benefits and department staff within the agency and with external partners. The mission of the program to promote a culture of health and encourage Erie’s staff and participants to become leaders in the movement for community wellness and equity.

In return to your commitment to Erie House and its mission to the community, you will enjoy excellent professional development opportunities, opportunity for growth, and have direct impact in building powerful communities. Be a part of one of the oldest and most respected Settlement House in the Chicago Land Area.

The Public Benefits Program Manager will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Public Benefits Program and ensure that all eligible participants are enrolled in public benefits and privileges that support successful better outcomes for participants. By ensuring that clients are engaged with appropriate public benefits to address emerging needs the Public Benefits Manager program will help clients become more self-sufficient and achieve stability.

They will be familiar with resources available in the surrounding communities, networking within those communities, making referrals to community supports as needed and documenting participant progress. The Public Benefits Manager will demonstrate the character values of honesty, respect, responsibility and caring.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Strategic Leadership

• In collaboration with the Department Director, develop and execute a strategic vision for the Public Benefits Program that aligns with the organization's mission and goals and funder requirements.
• Provide dynamic leadership to a team of professionals, setting clear expectations, fostering collaboration, and promoting a culture of empathy and support.
• Cultivate, establish and maintain strategic partnerships with various organizations, to include civic and private entities, agencies, and other partnerships throughout the state to utilize those relationships to strategically enhance the goals of the Public Benefits Program.
• Ensure all local, county, state, and federal standards are met with regard to the Public Benefits Program eligibility and operations.

Program Development and Management

• Design, implement, and continuously improve Public Benefits programs and services.
• Provide ongoing program assessment and evaluation of best practices to include trends, patterns and changes in the Public Benefits Program environment and implement appropriate programmatic changes based on current needs and congruence with the mission and vision of ENH in collaboration with the Community Wellness Support Services Director.
• Ensure that programs are evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and responsive to the evolving needs of diverse families and in alignment with established programmatic and funder requirements.

Resource Allocation and Budgeting

• Collaborate with the Community Wellness Support Services Director and Development Department to secure financial and nonfinancial resources to expand and sustain the Public Benefits Program, e.g., identify grant opportunities and make applications as appropriate for both current and new programs, cultivate alliances to secure funding, obtain and manage partnership for services, initiate MOUs, obtain contracts for services and pursue and acquire any other resources.
• In collaboration with Community Wellness Support Services Director, provide fiscal management of the Public Benefits Program, including budget preparation, fiduciary decision-making needs, contract negotiations, provision of data, metrics, deliverables and any other reporting requirements.
• Monitor budget and participate in quarterly and annual revisions with the finance department.

Staff Development and Training

• Mentor and develop a high-performing team, fostering professional growth and maintaining a positive work environment.
• Provide training and professional development opportunities for staff to enhance their skills in serving families effectively.
• Implement appropriate resources to ensure the operation management of Public Benefits program are appropriate and successful, e.g. effective supervision of key staff, hiring and retention of competent qualified staff.
• Attend professional development applicable to the field and population being served on an ongoing basis.
• Attend public education workshops regarding important immigration, health issues facing the community, the census, and public benefits to enroll individuals in public benefits
• Attend and participate in required educational programs and staff meetings.
• Support team with special cases.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Travel - occasional travels for program events and meetings.

We are looking for a candidate who has excellent communication and presentation skills, strong leadership skills that promote innovation, growth and retention, and ability to develop rapport with individuals across multi-cultural backgrounds and with faculty, staff, and members of the community.