Program Associate @ CLX

Who We Are

The Chicago Learning Exchange (CLX) is a backbone organization that connects and supports our city’s array of out-of-school (OST) organizations in order to develop and coordinate strategies to better serve youth, youth workers, and the ecosystem in Chicago.

What You Will Do

The Program Associate will lead the work of growing and activating CLX’s Member Network. The Associate will develop and implement outreach strategies to build awareness and relationships with organizations working in and serving Chicago’s South and West Side communities. They will also lead programming and other initiatives that engage and serve CLX’s Member Community.

The Program Associate will be eager to make new connections and build strong relationships, facilitate professional learning programs in response to community needs, and leverage data, systems, and technology tools to support both CLX Members and the OST ecosystem. CLX works in service of the adults who work with young people, and this is not a youth-serving position.

Essential Job Functions:

• Network management, engagement, and growth

  • Lead relationship-building and outreach with Chicago OST organizations to grow CLX Membership from 65 to 100 in 2024-2025, with priority on organizations working in South and West Sides

  • Increase member engagement by activating and moderating in-person programming and online community spaces

  • Ensure a high level of accountability and responsiveness in all communications with current and potential members, partners, and other stakeholders

  • Manage and update Member data across platforms (primarily Salesforce, Mailchimp, web, Slack)

  • Analyze Member data and communicate regularly with team about progress towards Membership growth and engagement goals

  • And, openness to any other duties as requested by the Director of Programs or CLX team

• Member Programming

  • Develop and lead a regular schedule of Member Orientation sessions (3-4x/year)

  • Plan, organize, and lead CLX Community Meetups, including engaging partners, developing agendas and activities, coordinating logistics, and outreach (8x/year)

  • Develop and use evaluation tools to regularly analyze community feedback and use input in development of future programs

  • As needed, develop and lead additional programming (such as Communities of Practice or Professional Development workshops) in response to CLX goals and strategies, and the needs and interests of Members

• Brother Mike Awards (BMA) Nominations

  • Develop and launch annual Brother Mike Awards Mentor Nomination application and lead outreach to secure nominations

  • Manage all BMA communication with Members, nominators, and nominees

  • Organize review process by communicating with partners, scheduling meetings, organizing all nomination materials, and developing evaluation rubrics

• Collective Impact and Systems-Change

  • Work closely with Director of Programs to support the planning and implementation of collective impact work

  • Attend meetings and manage documentation of conversations and projects

Requirements for the Position:

• Embraces the mission and values of CLX; has a passion for education, youth development, and equity issues

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

• 1-3 years of experience designing, planning, and facilitating programs with youth and/or adult communities; some experience programming for educators, mentors, or adult learners preferred

• Relationship focused network builder with strong understanding of the youth development ecosystem in Chicago's South and West Side communities

• Demonstrated application of anti-racist, culturally competent, and inclusive program design and facilitation

• Track record of outreach and relationship-building that has advanced program goals or outcomes

• High level of accuracy, accountability, and responsiveness in all communications

• Conscientious and detail-oriented data management across platforms; ability to analyze data and report out internally and externally; some prior experience using Salesforce, Mailchimp, and Slack preferred

• Highly collaborative work style

• Entrepreneurial; enjoys developing and implementing new initiatives

• Self-starter with a high degree of initiative, enthusiasm, and ability to work independently; ability to effectively manage time and prioritize projects

• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation based on experience, with a salary range of $50,000-$55,000. The position includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance. In the first year of work, prorated 10 days of paid vacation and 10 days of company holidays.

This is a one-year grant funded position, with the possibility of renewal.

Reports To: Director of Programs

Supervises: Interns, volunteers, and consultants

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume to hcook@chicagolx.org. In the subject line of the email, use the following format: Last name.First name- Program Associate Application. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Submission in PDF format is preferred. Only applicants selected for first-round interviews will be contacted.

Work Environment

This job operates in a hybrid setting, typically at least 2 days/week in our offices downtown, additional in-person programming and meetings around the city, and remote work from home. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets.

Local travel to community events and meetings is required (10-20% of local travel). Potential annual out-of-state travel is required to represent CLX.

Physical Demands

This job is clerical and primarily a sedentary role. However, during travel and preparation for events you may be required to stand and/or sit for prolonged periods of time and lift and carry objects up to 30lbs.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is the policy of CLX to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, CLX will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.