Operations Coordinator

POSITION: OPERATIONS COORDINATOR  
LOCATION: LIFT-Chicago 
REPORTS TO: PROGRAM MANAGER, PARENT ENGAGEMENT
SUPERVISES: N/A
FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT
SALARY RANGE: $57,000-$60,000  

ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION
LIFT is a national nonprofit on a mission to invest in families to break the cycle of poverty. We believe that racial and gender wealth gaps stem from structural inequities that keep them trapped in a cycle where poverty, like wealth, is passed from generation to generation. At LIFT, we interrupt the generational transmission of poverty by partnering with parents of young children to build well-being, financial strength, and social connections – or as we like to put it, Hope, Money, and Love. LIFT’s one-on-one coaching program empowers parents to set and achieve goals that put families on the path toward economic mobility – such as going back to school, improving credit, eliminating debt, or securing a living wage. In addition to coaching, LIFT parents also receive direct cash infusions to reinvest in their families and goals. 

LIFT is at an exciting moment in its organizational trajectory. We aim to scale our impact by 1) making continuous improvements to our direct service model, 2) partnering with health care, postsecondary education, early child development, and government organizations to deliver LIFT’s model and influence change in those systems, and 3) influencing policy through the amplification of the voices of parents living in poverty on issues impacting their lives and communities. We are looking for team players who thrive in a growth environment of continuous improvement; are committed to LIFT’s work to combat intergenerational poverty and expand opportunity for families; and uphold LIFT’s values of brilliance, learning, relationships, social justice, and thriving environments. 

*LIFT operates sites in Chicago, Los Angeles, DC, and New York. Currently, LIFT is operating as a hybrid work environment. Accordingly, this role will be expected to work in the office on Tuesdays and Fridays and other days as needed, in our Chicago office located in Bronzeville. * Note there are a few instances of evening and weekend events in which staff participation is required (typically quarterly weekend events and 2 evening events a month).  

Travel requirement: approximately 3-4 days for LIFT’s annual All Staff Retreat in one of its regional cities. 

POSITION OVERVIEW  

The Operations Coordinator plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of the LIFT regional office and providing essential support to the regional program team. As the first point of contact for parents enrolling in LIFT’s programs, this highly organized and detail-oriented multitasker is responsible for managing existing operational systems and enhancing them as needed. The coordinator will oversee program management, office operations, and development support to ensure the team has the resources required to deliver high-quality work across all departments. 

We are looking for a dedicated and organized Operations Coordinator to support our team in managing program operations and ensuring efficient office functionality. This role encompasses a variety of responsibilities, including program management, office operations, and development support. 

Main Responsibilities: 

Program Operations: 

• Manage all screening and intake processes, overseeing resources such as the Coaches’ Corner and member SharePoint page. 

• Handle all program communications, including monitoring the daily text platform for member messages, coordinating text blasts, checking and responding to voicemails, and managing the general inquiry email inbox. 

• Serve as LIFT Chicago’s first point of contact for parents, welcoming them in-person or via phone/text communications. 

• Assess and manage all front desk needs, including responding to incoming calls, voicemails, and email inquiries. 

• Process incoming new member interest forms and coordinate the annual fall recruitment cycle, including scheduling intakes. 

• Execute coach laptop transfers in coordination with IT and the Program Coordinator, Training. 

• Oversee logistical needs for program events, including managing storage units, booking event spaces and vendors, and ensuring timely payments. 

• Attend all member events and assist Program Manager, Parent Engagement with even logistics. 

• Track and report in-kind donations, including cash and non-cash. 

Office Operations: 

• Own all office operations, including logistical needs for the program, management of in-person meetings and events, and calendar management for team meetings and the Executive Director. 

• Provide operational support to the LIFT Chicago team and partner with the National Office to improve systems, tools, and resources. 

• Ensure compliance with building management and safety protocols, order supplies, and serve as the touchpoint for office and technology support. 

• Manage office responsibilities, including helping staff, guests, and coaches navigate office technology (hot desks, reserving conference rooms, etc.), checking mail, watering plants, and maintaining the cleanliness of shared spaces. 

• Maintain and organize the Care Closet, diaper area, and resource materials, including printed items and bulletin boards. 

• Order refreshments monthly and manage the office supplies/snacks budget. 

• Serve as regional safety officer, ensuring compliance with all building and organizational mandated safety protocols, and keeping staff up to date as needed. 
• Directly coach 1-2 members.

Development Operations: *after 3 months of employment 

• Assist the Development Manager with development operations, including Salesforce data entry, gift processing, tracking email communications, and generating reports. 

• Collaborate with the Senior Development Manager and Program Manager of Parent Engagement to support regional fundraising events and donor site visits. 

• Work with the national grant writer and development manager to maintain the grant calendar. 

Travel Requirement: 

• This position will require travel once per year for LIFT’s annual staff retreat. 
• Local travel to community partners to support securing basic need items for members  

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE:  

• Associate’s degree or equivalent work experience required. 

• Spanish proficiency required 

• 2+ years administrative and/or operations experience required; experience working or volunteering with low-income communities is a plus 

• Work experience in the City of Chicago preferred 

• Highly organized with excellent time management skills 

• Proven ability to apply sound judgment to meet deadlines on multiple tasks or projects despite frequent interruptions 

• Have a knack for devising creative solutions to any problem in your path 

• Coordinate multiple workstreams with strong ability to prioritize items effectively 

• Customer-oriented and approach every situation with a spirit of generosity 

• Demonstrate good judgement and discretion 

• Experienced user of MS Office (Word, Outlook, and Excel specifically); Canva is a plus 

Don’t think you have everything for this role but are still very interested? Please don’t hesitate to apply. We’d love to hear from you!   

LIFT believes that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants. LIFT’s goal is for our people to reflect the communities in which we live and serve and to ensure representation of people of color, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities in our organization.    

WHAT WE OFFER   

• Salary Range: $57,000 - $60,000. LIFT’s compensation philosophy is to pay competitively for our non-profit sector and ensure equity across the organization. Compensation for the role will depend on several factors including qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience.    

• Benefits:    

• • Employer-paid health care coverage (100% for employees, 75% for dependents)   

• • 403(b) retirement savings plan including an employer match contribution of up to 5%  

• • Generous paid-time-off policy starting with 4 weeks in the first year (5 weeks in years 2-4, 6 weeks at 5+ years), Federal holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, Cesar Chavez day, and wellness days including a one-week organization-wide paid closure over the winter holidays (the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays), and a one-week organization-wide paid closure over the summer fiscal year transition (the week in which Independence Day is celebrated)  

• • 12 weeks paid parental leave  

• • Partial cell phone coverage   

• • Pre-tax accounts for transit, health, and childcare benefits   

• • Please see here for a more in-depth overview of LIFT’s Benefits and Culture.   

TO APPLY    
Please visit www.whywelift.org/careers to apply and submit a resume.