About Cabrini Green Legal Aid
Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) was established in 1973 to serve the legal needs arising from the lack of opportunity, criminalization of poverty, and racial inequity experienced within Chicago"s Cabrini Green public housing community. Since then, CGLA has grown beyond a single neighborhood to become a citywide, countywide, and statewide leader in proactively filling the void of legal representation, wraparound services, legal information and resources, and advocacy exclusively for low-income individuals negatively impacted by the criminal legal system. Any engagement with the criminal legal system can greatly disrupt an individual, family, and community"s quality of life.
CGLA is distinguished among legal aid service providers locally, throughout Illinois, and nationally as having expertise in legal matters related to the direct and collateral consequences of the criminal legal system. Since 2014, CGLA has served Cook County with the distinction of focusing exclusively on individuals and families who have been adversely impacted by the criminal legal system in all our legal program areas: criminal records, emerging adults, criminal defense, housing law, and family law. We provide direct legal services, advocate for policy reforms, and provide legal information and resources to other legal aid organizations, pro bono attorneys, and the public. We also support our clients holistically with wraparound social services from our social workers. Our policy/advocacy work is not performed as a separate entity; it is informed by our legal services and the lived experiences of our Leadership Council, an Advisory Group made up of former CGLA clients and community members directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
Key Responsibilities:
Facilities & Office Management:
Oversee all aspects of office space allocation, layout planning, and workplace maintenance to ensure a safe, efficient, and welcoming environment for staff and visitors.
Manage and continuously evaluate office security systems, including surveillance, access controls, and emergency preparedness measures, to safeguard people, assets, and sensitive information.
Serve as the primary point of contact with building management, coordinating repairs, maintenance, and office improvement projects to maintain high standards of facility operations.
Promptly address and resolve employee concerns regarding office operations, fostering a responsive and supportive workplace culture.
Maintain accurate office inventory records; manage supply orders and vendor relationships to ensure appropriate stock levels and cost-effective procurement.
Plan and facilitate regular staff meetings and organizational gatherings to enhance internal communication, collaboration, and team cohesion.
Partner with HR to support seamless new hire onboarding and orientation, ensuring new staff are well-equipped and oriented to the office environment and procedures.
Oversee and execute logistics for large events, conferences, and organizational gatherings, coordinating all necessary resources and support.
Supervise mail processing procedures, ensuring timely and secure handling of incoming and outgoing correspondence.
Develop and implement office policies and procedures to streamline operations and improve efficiency, in alignment with organizational goals and best practices.
Technology & IT Support:
Manage daily IT operations and serve as the point of contact for technology-related issues.
Coordinate with IT service providers to ensure seamless network, software, and hardware functionality.
Oversee procurement, maintenance, and tracking of office technology and equipment.
Implement and uphold data security policies, best practices, and staff training initiatives.
Vendor & Contract Management:
Manage the end-to-end contract lifecycle, from initial sourcing and negotiation to renewal or offboarding, ensuring all agreements clearly define expectations, deliverables, timelines, and compliance requirements.
Negotiate and manage vendor contracts for office supplies, facility maintenance, and operational services.
Monitor and maintain the operations budget by tracking expenditures, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and ensuring cost-effective resource allocation.
Approve and process all operational vendor invoices in a timely manner, verifying that charges align with contracted terms and organizational policies.
Ensure vendor relationships and contracts consistently align with organizational policies, legal standards, and compliance obligations, conducting regular reviews to mitigate risk and maintain accountability.
Compliance & Risk Management:
Ensure organizational adherence to workplace safety, security, and legal compliance regulations at all levels of operation.
Oversee and manage company insurance policies, risk mitigation strategies, and business continuity planning.
Lead emergency preparedness initiatives, including planning, training, and execution of response protocols.
Collaborate with HR to ensure operational compliance with employment laws, policies, and best practices.
Ensure accurate communication and timely posting of required signage related to compliance and risk management.
Monitor changes in local, state, and federal regulations affecting nonprofit operations and update organizational practices accordingly.
Organizational Support & Process Improvement:
Partner with leadership in the development and execution of operational plans to drive organizational success.
Continuously evaluate existing processes and identify opportunities for workflow optimization and efficiency improvements.
Design and implement strategies to streamline operations, reduce redundancies, and enhance overall organizational effectiveness.
Provide comprehensive logistical support for events, staff retreats, and special initiatives, ensuring smooth planning and execution.
Financial Administration:
Develop and manage operational budgets, ensuring accurate allocation of expenses for monthly vouchers and grant reporting/compliance.
Implement and maintain internal policies and procedures to ensure consistent and proper financial management.
Develop and enforce credit card usage policies; train staff and ensure ongoing compliance.
Collaborate with Finance on audit deliverables, asset tracking, and grant-related reporting.
Serve as liaison between the organization and banking partners to ensure financial efficiency, resource management, and compliance.
Oversee and implement the corporate travel program; manage conference and business expenses for non-corporate cardholders and handle employee reimbursements.
Monitor financial transactions and ensure adherence to nonprofit financial regulations and best practices.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
Experience:
5+years of experience in operations, facilities, or administrative management, preferably in the nonprofit sector.
Proven leadership and supervisory experience, with the ability to motivate and manage teams.
Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
Experience overseeing vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and IT systems management.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools, and office technology systems.
Preferred Qualifications:
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, fostering collaboration across teams.
Conflict resolution expertise, with the ability to navigate challenges diplomatically.
Strategic thinker with a results-driven mindset, ensuring continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Process-oriented with a focus on efficiency, capable of implementing internal controls and optimizing workflows.
Ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines, delivering high-quality results under pressure.
Adaptability in a fast-paced, team-centered environment.
Supervisory Responsibility:
Supervises 1 - 3 operations employees.
Required Hours:
Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm, 40 hours per week. A hybrid work environment with two days in the office.
On call 24/7 to address any office or building security issues.
NOTE: Occasional weekend and evening work, as well as in-state and out-of-state travel.
Physical Requirements:
Sit for long periods of time.
Speak in a clear and understandable manner.
Must be able to work in a stressful work environment.
The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to type, handle, or feel and reach. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Benefits:
We offer a generous benefits plan that includes Blue Cross Blue Shield - Health insurance, Vision Service Plan – Vision insurance, Principal Dental insurance and 100% employer paid life insurance, (EAP) Employee Assistance Program, Dependent Care and Medical Flexible spending accounts, Pet insurance, Pre-Tax Programs for parking, local transit for Ventra and Metra and UberPool, and Vanguard 403(b) retirement matching. Additionally, CGLA offers generous Paid Time-off, Floating Holidays, 15 paid holidays per year, and the week off between Christmas and New Years. During the summer months we celebrate Summer Fridays by closing the office early.
CGLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position.
#LI-Hybrid
The pay range for this role is:70,000 - 80,000 USD per year(HQ)
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