Associate Vice President, WIC Grocery

Associate Vice President, WIC Grocery 

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago partners with mission-driven people and organizations across Cook and Lake counties to witness a message of mercy and hope to a world in need by improving lives and nourishing spirits; strengthening and empowering people, families, and communities; and committing to being present to our times through the eyes of faith. 

Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice President of Mothers and Families, the Associate Vice President for WIC leads a team that serves moms and caregivers with children up to five years old through ten WIC Grocery Centers and the WIC Grocery Mobile Market. The AVP is a key leader in CCAC's work to empower mothers as they strive to build a brighter future for themselves and their children. The AVP has four to six direct reports and oversees approximately 125 employees. 

CCAC's WIC program serves more than 45,000 people annually with a budget of more than $40MM. It is one of CCAC's three Impact Areas, alongside Immediate Needs and Seniors & Housing. 

Role Responsibilities

• MANAGE TOWARD OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE. Ensure mom-centered services meet their dynamic needs and consistently advance CCAC's purpose, values, and vision. Provide steady oversight and leadership for WIC Grocery Stores, Mobile Market, Nutrition Education, and Warehouse & Logistics. Drive implementation of continuous improvement and innovation in service delivery models. Establish and maintain productive relationships with CCAC programs, WIC Clinics, and key stakeholders to ensure seamless coordination and program excellence.

Oversee program performance, outcomes, and impact to ensure continuous improvement and accountability. Use data, feedback, and key metrics to identify trends, address challenges, and celebrate successes. Monitor data and coach team to course correct operations using key daily, weekly, and monthly metrics. In partnership with Finance and Procurement, ensure strong fiscal management, forecasting, reporting, and adherence to performance targets. Ensure compliance with organizational policies, professional standards, and funder and regulatory requirements. 

• ENGAGE CLIENTS AND COMMUNITIES. Working closely with CCAC's client and community marketing lead, bring strategic direction and hands-on leadership to CCAC's WIC team, guiding their work to ensure consistent, high-quality engagement with individuals, families, and the broader community. Develop and oversee implementation of outreach and marketing strategies that raise awareness of WIC, leveraging community events, digital channels, and partnerships to reach and retain clients and drive meaningful participation. 

Working closely with community partners and stakeholders, lead collaborative initiatives that expand access to services and strengthen the organization's visibility and credibility within the communities it serves. Build staff capacity and sustain a person-centered approach across all engagement and outreach efforts. Listen to leaders and client-facing staff to ensure programs deliver meaningful support to pregnant women, mothers and caregivers, and young children in their care. Represent Catholic Charities WIC Access program in community forums, coalitions, collaborations, and events. 

• DEVELOP AND COACH INDIVIDUALS AND TEAM. Inspire team excellence by modeling accountability, collaboration, and solution-oriented thinking, and ensure team members are supported, empowered, and high-performing while fostering a positive, purpose-driven culture. Set clear goals and expectations, monitor performance, and provide regular praise, feedback and guidance 

Team Member Responsibilities

• Exhibit alignment with the team's clear goals that are mission-focused, grounded in Catholic Charities history, and tied to action.
• Contribute to a joy-filled culture built upon respect and inclusion, team pride, and community spirit.
• Collaborate effectively to support excellent process, accountability, and constructive conflict.
• Demonstrate a commitment to growth through learning, forgiveness, and reflection.

Living Our Values

• Courageous Compassion: Welcome and serve all with an open heart, empathic listening, and a commitment to radical hospitality.
• Solidarity: Embrace shared humanity by celebrating and giving voice to our differences and choosing the path of collaboration and inclusion.
• Faith-filled Hope and Joy: Uplift each other in times of darkness and celebrate together in times of light, leaning in with humility, humor, and hope.
• Meaningful and Measurable Impact: Meet human need with love, balance immediate action with lasting change, and act with accountability through dialogue, analyses, and reflection.

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, business, social services, nutrition or related field  

• Minimum of 7 years relevant experience

• Experience leading multiple sites and complex operations

Preferred Education & Experience

• MBA or Master's degree in public administration, business, social services, nutrition or related field 

• 10 years relevant experience

• Direct experience with WIC programs, food access initiatives, nutrition services, or government-funded human services programs

• Experience developing and executing community engagement, outreach, or marketing strategies to increase awareness, access, and participation

• Experience working within faith-based or values-driven organizations

Minimum Qualifications & Skills

• Demonstrated experience leading teams of 25 people

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Experience with financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting

• Familiarity with state and federal regulations, audits, and compliance requirements related to public benefit programs

• Bilingual or multilingual skills (e.g., Spanish) a plus

Minimum Certifications & Licensures

• N/A

Physical Requirements

X Kneel and move from sitting, bending, kneeling or standing multiple times a day.
X Push and pull objects up to 25 pounds.
X Climb up and down up to 4 flights of stairs at a time.
X Lift up to 25 pounds.

Other Requirements
X Background check, including any program specific requirements

X Driver's License and reliable transportation Agency-specified automobile insurance

Qualifications: