Chief Community Relations Impact Officer

Chief Community Relations Impact Officer

Applying for:

Job Summary:

This executive leadership position is responsible for advancing the mission of Heartland for Children (HFC) through strategic community engagement, partnership development, and resource expansion to improve outcomes for children and families served. The role will build and sustain strong relationships across the community, advocate for collaboration within the child welfare system, and develop integrated partnerships that support a coordinated system of care.

This position will be responsible for the strategic oversight and coordination of Heartland for Children’s signature events, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and community engagement priorities. The role directs Community Relations functions, including media relations, public engagement, fund development activities, social media strategy, website content management, resource identification, and Board of Directors recruitment and engagement.

The position will manage grant identification, writing, and resource development initiatives to enhance organizational capacity and visibility. This position will also manage and provide oversight of the contract and staff responsibilities for the local community partnership school, Crystal Lake Elementary.

This position will manage client relations, the incident reporting process and tracking, to ensure timely, professional, and responsive communication throughput the organization and with stakeholders. This also includes foster home recruitment planning, provide leadership and support for foster home recruitment initiatives across the Circuit.

Essential Functions:

Establish and maintain positive working relationships with HFC customers andcommunity stakeholders, to include local school boards, healthcare providers, the Department of Juvenile Justice, domestic violence service providers, and law enforcement agencies to ensure comprehensive and collaborative service delivery

Develop community impact strategies that foster cross-sector collaboration and service integration to expand the organizations’ reach, influence and partnerships

Oversee operations of community relations, child abuse prevention, community partnership school model and partnership, foster home recruitment and media, social media and website outreach

Direct, coordinate, collect data and report resources based on new partnerships and opportunities received

Establish and enhance partnerships with community leaders and businesses enhance the mission and vision of the agency and local, state and national partners

Monitor and analyze department and grant budgets to ensure fiscal plan is met and/or make recommendations to the executive leadership team

Demonstrates a participatory management philosophy which empowers leadership at all levels to foster accountability, and decision making at the lowest appropriate level in an atmosphere of openness and integrity

Articulates and applies the team concept among staff, allowing employees to contribute to goals, agendas, discussion and decision making

Models and enforce effective conflict resolution by encouraging open and free-flowing communication while exercising clear lines of responsibility

Responds decisively and expeditiously to staff, stakeholders, providers and caregiver issues requiring immediate attention

Responsible for developing a succession plan, which includes development, plans for staff and ensures a performance review program

Participate and represent HFC in regional and statewide meetings and conferences

Perform special projects as needed

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’sdegree in social services or related field is required. Master’s degree preferred. Three to five years of experience in a leadership role is preferred. Requiresa minimum five years of professional experience in the related field and supervisory experience. Extensive experience in child welfare preferred and/or child abuse prevention preferred. Must have excellent organization and follow up skills, be process oriented, be able to multi-task, have good analytical ability, have good oral and written communication skills, customer service skills, negotiation skills and proven leadership skills. Must have outstanding interpersonal skills and excel at building collaborative relationships.

Excellent benefits package with tuition assistance, domestic partner coverage, retirement andgenerous paid time off.

Additional Information:

Drug free workplace. Drug testing required. EOE/M/F/D/V.

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