Associate Vice President, WIC Grocery
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago partners with mission-driven people and organizations across Cook and Lake counties to witness a message of mercy and hope to a world in need by improving lives and nourishing spirits; strengthening and empowering people, families, and communities; and committing to being present to our times through the eyes of faith.
Reporting to the Vice President of Mothers and Families, the Associate Vice President for WIC leads a team that serves moms and caregivers with children up to five years old through ten WIC Grocery Centers and the WIC Grocery Mobile Market. The AVP is a key leader in CCAC's work to empower mothers as they strive to build a brighter future for themselves and their children. The AVP has four to six direct reports and oversees approximately 125 employees.
CCAC's WIC program serves more than 45,000 people annually with a budget of more than $40MM. It is one of CCAC's three Impact Areas, alongside Immediate Needs and Seniors & Housing.
Role Responsibilities
Oversee program performance, outcomes, and impact to ensure continuous improvement and accountability. Use data, feedback, and key metrics to identify trends, address challenges, and celebrate successes. Monitor data and coach team to course correct operations using key daily, weekly, and monthly metrics. In partnership with Finance and Procurement, ensure strong fiscal management, forecasting, reporting, and adherence to performance targets. Ensure compliance with organizational policies, professional standards, and funder and regulatory requirements.
Working closely with community partners and stakeholders, lead collaborative initiatives that expand access to services and strengthen the organization's visibility and credibility within the communities it serves. Build staff capacity and sustain a person-centered approach across all engagement and outreach efforts. Listen to leaders and client-facing staff to ensure programs deliver meaningful support to pregnant women, mothers and caregivers, and young children in their care. Represent Catholic Charities WIC Access program in community forums, coalitions, collaborations, and events.
Cultivate a culture of continuous learning and improvement to strengthen employee engagement, retention, and impact. Develop staff capability through ongoing training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Support team members to identify and resolve operational issues and address crises and emergent issues in a timely and compassionate manner. Address staff concerns and demonstrate effective conflict resolution approaches. Empower direct reports to strengthen employee engagement and deliver high-quality, impactful services.
Additional duties as assigned.
Team Member Responsibilities
Living Our Values
Qualifications
Minimum Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree in public administration, business, social services, nutrition or related field
Minimum of 7+ years relevant experience
Experience leading multiple sites and complex operations
Preferred Education & Experience
MBA or Master's degree in public administration, business, social services, nutrition or related field
10+ years relevant experience
Direct experience with WIC programs, food access initiatives, nutrition services, or government-funded human services programs
Experience developing and executing community engagement, outreach, or marketing strategies to increase awareness, access, and participation
Experience working within faith-based or values-driven organizations
Minimum Qualifications & Skills
Demonstrated experience leading teams of 25+ people
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly.
Preferred Qualifications & Skills
Experience with financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting
Familiarity with state and federal regulations, audits, and compliance requirements related to public benefit programs
Bilingual or multilingual skills (e.g., Spanish) a plus
Minimum Certifications & Licensures
N/A
Physical Requirements
X Kneel and move from sitting, bending, kneeling or standing multiple times a day.
X Push and pull objects up to 25 pounds.
X Climb up and down up to 4 flights of stairs at a time.
X Lift up to 25 pounds.
Other Requirements
X Background check, including any program specific requirements
X Driver's License and reliable transportation Agency-specified automobile insurance
Qualifications
Education and Experience Requirements:
Relevant Education:
Preferred: Master's Degree in Public Administration, Master of Public Service or Master's in Business Administration
Minimum: Master's Degree in Public Administration, Master of Public Service or Master's in Business Administration
Relevant Experience:
Preferred: 10+ Years Retail Management, Budget Management and Supervisory Experience
Minimum: 7-10 Years Retail Management, Budget Management and Supervisory Experience
Certification/Licensure:
Preferred: Related Certifications
Minimum: N/A
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago was founded more than a century ago to meet human need. We accompany anyone in need regardless of their faith, race, gender, or ethnicity.
By unifying and collaborating across the Catholic community during the 1917 global pandemic, our founders envisioned that together we might make a bigger difference for our community, and we did . . . and still do.
A trusted partner and steward, Catholic Charities has grown to be one of the largest human service providers in the Chicago metropolitan region, covering Cook and Lake counties.
