Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist jobs in Des Plaines, IL

Who we are

Our mission at FHLBank Chicago: To partner with our members in Illinois and Wisconsin to provide them competitively priced funding, a reasonable return on their investment, and support for their community investment activities.

Simply said, we're a bank for banks and other financial institutions, focused on being a strategic partner for our members and working together to reinvest in our communities, from urban centers to rural areas. Created by Congress in 1932, FHLBank Chicago is one of 11 Federal Home Loan Banks, government sponsored in support of mortgage lending and community investment.

What it's like to work here

At FHLBank Chicago, we bring people together. Our regular All-Staff meetings keep employees informed and our values drive the work that we do. Our Buddy Program pairs new hires with tenured employees to guide their onboarding. Through our Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), we host signature and employee-led events to celebrate our differences and learn from each other and identify volunteer opportunities to strengthen our communities; and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and culture teams create connections around shared interests and experiences. We offer live and on-demand professional development opportunities to grow your skillset and your career.

What You'll do

You'll be responsible for leading program development, outreach, and community and member engagement activities related to the Bank's affordable housing and economic development programs. Key responsibilities will include: development/execution of the Bank's CI outreach strategy; coordination of outreach/engagement events; relationship building with existing and potential community partners; development of new Community Investment programs; and management and documentation of research activities to understand community needs and program impact.

How you'll make an impact:

• You will play a key role in supporting Members and their communities through the creation and administration of Community Investment programs.
• You will help develop and strengthen partnerships with organizations working toward housing and economic development priorities within the district.
• You will plan and coordinate Bank-sponsored housing and economic development events.

What you can expect:

• Coordinate and lead the Bank's outreach activities to promote Community Investment products throughout the district, including in underserved communities. Develop the Bank's annual Community Investment outreach plan in collaboration with the Senior CI Programs Manager and Community Investment Officer.
• Plan and coordinate Bank-sponsored affordable housing and economic development conferences, training seminars, webinars, and group forums for external audiences, in close collaboration with the Community Investment Officer, Senior Programs Manager, External Affairs, Sales, and Communications.
• Facilitate Bank participation in affordable housing and economic development conferences and forums sponsored by federal, state and local government agencies and housing organizations that align with the Bank's Community Investment mission.
• Collaborate with the Communications and Sales teams to promote the utilization of Community Investment products. Partner with member account managers (sales directors) and participate in member meetings as a CI subject matter expert.
• Support the Community Investment Officer in the development, approval and execution of the Bank's Mission Programs strategy, including new program development activities. Working within our governance framework, support presentations to senior management, the Community Investment Advisory Council, Board of Directors, and management committees.
• Lead the planning, research and preparation of the Bank's annual Targeted Community Lending Plan and Community Investment Annual Report, including coordination of research activities on market trends and community needs and cross-functional collaboration with Plan contributors throughout the Bank.
• Provide Community Investment content for the Bank's annual Impact Report.

What you'll bring:

• 7-plus years of banking or community development experience, with 1-3 years leadership. Post graduate education may substitute for work experience.
• Master's degree with a concentration in Business or Public Administration, Real Estate, Urban Planning, Community Development, or other related field

• Understanding of local, state, and federal housing and community development landscape
• Knowledge of affordable housing finance and community lending structures and programs
• Ability to take initiative in a fast-paced work environment, work effectively under pressure, either independently or as a member of a team
• Ability to effectively and succinctly communicate to a variety of audiences in writing and orally, including public speaking
• Demonstrated project leadership and management skills
• Ability to successfully collaborate with diverse stakeholders to achieve common objectives; strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to effectively analyze, apply, and communicate policies, procedures, and regulations; strong attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities
• Deep understanding of the Bank's brand, mission and regulatory environment
• Proven ability to develop, analyze, and effectively interpret quantitative and qualitative data from an impact, risk,and return perspective; use data to inform outreach activities, decision making, product enhancements, new product design, and metric reporting

• Budget management experience
• Up to 25% travel, primarily in IL and WI

• Fluency in MS Office, including Excel and Access; fluency in Tableau and Salesforce a plus

The Perks

At FHLBank Chicago, we believe in rewarding our high performing workforce. We offer a highly competitive compensation and bonus package, and access to a comprehensive benefits program designed to meet the needs of our employees. Our retirement program includes a 401(k) and pension plan. Our wellbeing program supports employees at work and in their personal lives: Our generous PTO plan provides five weeks of vacation for new employees and 11 paid holidays per year; our Lifestyle Spending Account provides an annual stipend for employees to support wellbeing activities; and our central downtown location at the Old Post Office provides easy access to public transportation and breathtaking views from our award-winning rooftop. Step into a brighter future with us. #LI-Hybrid