Director | Housing, Community and Economic Development

About MPC

Dedicated to shaping a better, bolder, more equitable future for everyone, Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) believes that every community is valued. Every person has a voice. And every neighborhood thrives. Since 1934, this independent, nonpartisan organization has served metropolitan Chicago’s communities and residents to change perceptions, reimagine conversations, and defy the status quo. Through thoughtful collaboration with local communities, businesses, and governments, MPC is a bold change-maker, addressing the region’s toughest planning and development challenges. We believe that strong partnerships rooted in respect and trust are critical to creative and effective problem-solving. 

MPC is a values-driven workplace, and we are seeking to expand our team. Successful team members are curious and collaborative with effective communication and project management skills who recognize the connections between our core areas of work and seek to affect meaningful change. Central to living our values is embracing MPC’s organizational commitment to an anti-racist, anti-oppressive workplace, and centering equity in strengthening our internal policies and practices.

The Position:

This role will lead a cross-programmatic team advancing research, advocacy, and technical assistance for MPC’s housing, community, and economic development portfolio. The Director will provide program oversight, supervision, and coaching for teams, strategic guidance for project implementation, and scope and develop new opportunities aligned with MPC’s values and areas of expertise. The position will report directly to MPC’s Vice President of Programs & Strategic Impact and will work closely with others on staff in multi-disciplinary project teams. 

The ideal candidate:

• Has at least five years of relevant experience and a record of accomplishment leading either housing and/or community development policy and economic development projects. This includes knowledge and understanding of housing production, development practices and understanding of the structural barriers that limit equitable community development. Has an academic and/or professional background in public policy, advocacy, housing, urban planning, or community development. Knowledge of local and regional actors and institutions in the Chicago region leading equitable community development and/or housing advocacy efforts is a plus.

• Has experience leading diverse teams and managing workflow process to ensure project deliverables are met. Has strong project management and communication skills and brings a strong equity lens to their work. The Director is a relationship builder who can cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with colleagues, partner organizations, and funders. They should have the ability to articulate MPC’s work to external parties, identify and leverage intersections across issue areas, work in diverse coalitions, and engage in problem-solving and consensus-building on challenging issues with stakeholders ranging from heads of government to community residents.

Core duties include:

• Refine and implement MPC’s housing and community development agenda in collaboration with staff, partners, and stakeholders
• Oversight of projects under the existing work plan and respective project teams to ensure goals and funding obligations are met
• Support the creation of a development review process enabling MPC to evaluate catalytic development in the region
• Quarterly reporting on projects outcomes and maintaining project charters, staffing, and deliverables in the CRM database
• Monitoring of project budgets and support in building funding proposals
• Direct supervision of two staff members, and oversight of consultants, or contractors as needed
• Collaboration with peer group to coordinate workflows, align goals and leverage related work streams to increase impact
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with project funders acting as a liaison for the program team
• Act as organization spokesperson to convey MPC’s priorities and values through a variety of media communicating MPC’s work, priorities and thought leadership and strengthening external networks including community-based organizations, elected officials, and advocacy groups
• Develop staff with professional and technical skills to meet current and future organizational needs
• Help build a strong and inclusive culture where all employees can do their best work

MPC seeks an individual who thrives in a collegial work environment and can manage multiple priorities. Given the nature of our work and the demands associated with remote and social-distanced working models, the Director will need to be a nimble and creative team member with the emotional intelligence, compassion, patience, sense of humor, and interpersonal communication skills to test and embrace new ways of working.

How to apply:

Please submit the following materials:

1) A cover letter articulating your specific interest in the role and what you will bring to it or a short and relevant writing sample

2) Your résumé; or CV

Job Closing Date: November 10, 2024 MIDNIGHT

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary Range $100,000 – 115,000

For the 2024 Benefit year, Metropolitan Planning Council’s robust and competitive compensation package for new full-time employees includes covering approximately 80% of the employee premium for health benefits, 100% of the employee premium for dental benefits, and Disability and Life insurance. Additionally, MPC provides all full-time employees with a hybrid work environment, parental leave, caregiver leave, up to five weeks of accrued vacation, transit benefits, a professional development stipend, and access to an onsite fitness center.

EEOC/Diversity Statement:

MPC is an equal opportunity employer, and we stay true to our mission by celebrating the differences among us. We are committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our workplace and encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and of all ages to apply. We will not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or retaliation of any kind and we promote a climate of mutual respect for our employees.