Director of Strategic Initiatives and Collective Impact

Director of Strategic Initiatives and Collective Impact 3.5 3.5 out of 5 stars 1800 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085 Hybrid work $45,000

• $52,000 a year
• Part-time PADS Lake County 12 reviews $45,000
• $52,000 a year
• Part-time Position Summary PADS Lake County is seeking a Part-time Director of Strategic Initiatives to lead a countywide, cross-sector collective impact initiative focused on reducing poverty and housing instability across Lake County.

This role will serve as the backbone leader for a collective impact strategy aligning nonprofits, healthcare systems, school districts, workforce agencies, faith-based organizations, and government partners around a shared vision, measurable outcomes, and coordinated action. This is a systems-level leadership role, responsible for driving collaboration, accountability, and measurable change. Key Responsibilities Collective Impact Strategy & Execution

• Lead the development and implementation of a countywide collective impact framework focused on poverty reduction and housing stability.
• Facilitate the creation of a common agenda, including clearly defined goals, target populations, and success metrics.
• Identify and prioritize key intervention areas (e.g., housing, workforce, childcare, education pipelines).
• Ensure alignment of partner activities toward shared outcomes. Backbone Organization Leadership
• Serve as the central coordinator and convenor of the collective impact initiative.
• Design and manage governance structures (steering committees, working groups, advisory councils).
• Maintain strong relationships with executive leaders across sectors.
• Ensure consistent communication, transparency, and momentum across all partners. Cross-Sector Partnership Development
• Build and sustain partnerships with: o Nonprofit organizations o Healthcare systems o School districts and higher education institutions o Workforce development agencies o Faith-based and community organizations o Local and county government
• Facilitate regular convenings to drive alignment, problem-solving, and shared accountability. Data, Measurement & Accountability
• Lead the development of a shared measurement system and dashboard.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to poverty reduction and economic mobility.
• Track and analyze data across partners to assess progress and identify gaps.
• Use data to inform strategy, improve outcomes, and communicate impact. Resource Development & Sustainability
• Partner with development staff to secure funding aligned with collective impact priorities.
• Support grant writing, funder engagement, and reporting.
• Align funding streams across partners to maximize impact and reduce duplication.
• Engage institutional funders (health systems, corporations, philanthropy). Community Engagement & Equity
• Ensure that the voices of individuals and families experiencing poverty are integrated into planning and decision-making.
• Build trust with community stakeholders and grassroots leaders.
• Advance strategies that address systemic inequities and barriers. Communications & Narrative Building
• Develop and promote a clear, compelling narrative around the initiative.
• Share progress, challenges, and success stories with stakeholders and the broader community.
• Support public awareness and engagement efforts. Resource Hub Management
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of PADS' forthcoming resource hub where local nonprofits and community stakeholders will convene to execute programming and deliver critical services to residents living on the margins. Required Qualifications
• At least 5 years of leadership experience in nonprofit, public sector, or cross-sector initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in partnership building and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong facilitation skills with the ability to lead diverse groups toward alignment.
• Experience working with or leading multi-organization initiatives.
• Ability to think strategically and execute operationally.
• Strong project management and organizational skills. Preferred Qualifications
• Knowledge of poverty, housing instability, education disparity, workforce development, or related systems.
• Experience with data systems, dashboards, or evaluation frameworks.
• Established relationships within Lake County. Core Competencies
• Systems thinker (sees how everything connects)
• Relationship builder (earns trust across sectors)
• Results-driven (focused on measurable outcomes)
• Influencer (can align leaders without formal authority)
• Facilitator (keeps groups productive and accountable)
• Adaptive leader (comfortable with ambiguity and complexity) Pay range $45-52,000 and is commensurate with experience.

Pay:

$45,000.00

• $52,000.

00 per year

Benefits:

Employee assistance program Flexible schedule Paid time off

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Waukegan, IL 60085