Job Description

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.
The Director of First Five provides strategic and operational leadership for Catholic Charities' early childhood essentials program and leads a volunteer network of approximately 50-100 volunteers across Chicago, Suburban Cook County, and Lake County, ensuring high-quality, equitable, and mission-aligned services for families with young children. The Director sets program directions, drives sustainable growth, and elevates First Five's visibility across the region. They build strong internal and external partnerships, represent Catholic Charities in key forums, and lead the volunteer network that powers the program, fostering a culture of excellence, compassion, and continuous improvement.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide daily operational oversight of First Five by ensuring efficient, high-quality services; maintaining and improving systems for referrals, documentation, and data tracking; monitoring budget and compliance; and using data to guide timely operational decisions.
• Lead program strategy by setting goals and priorities, identifying opportunities for expansion and sustainability, and using data and community insights to recommend and implement improvements aligned with agency objectives.
• Build and manage partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders, represent Catholic Charities in public and professional settings, strengthen referral pathways, and support outreach efforts.
• Coordinate with internal departments to align operations, share program insights, streamline processes, resolve service challenges, and support agency wide planning and continuous improvement.
• Lead and develop the First Five team by setting clear goals and expectations, monitoring performance, and providing regular feedback and guidance. Inspire team excellence by modeling accountability, collaboration, and solution-oriented thinking, and ensure team members are supported, empowered, and high-performance while fostering a positive, purpose-driven culture.

PLEASE NOTE: Essential functions include all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Kneel and move from sitting, bending, kneeling, or standing multiple times a day
• Climb up and down up to 3 flights of stairs at a time
• Lift, push, and pull up to 25 lbs

Other Requirements: Comply with program and/or requirements related to:

• Background check

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Minimum Bachelor's Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in a related field of study 3-5 years relevant experience
• Preferred Master's degree in Arts/Sciences (MA/MS) in a related field of study 5+ years relevant experience