ILHS
Illinois Labor History Society

Executive Director

Based in Chicago, IL

 

The Illinois Labor History Society (ILHS) is a not-for-profit organization, founded in 1969, with elected officers and a volunteer board of directors. We are seeking a full-time Executive Director. At present there are no other paid staff members. As a membership organization we want to grow our ranks, both among individuals and organizations. Our organizational members are primarily union locals from across the State of Illinois. 

We are looking for a candidate who possesses the skills and abilities described below.
The ideal candidate will work to expand our programming and outreach to a variety of audiences. The ILHS is the deed holder and steward of the world-renowned Haymarket Martyrs’ Monument in Forest Park, Illinois. We are a statewide organization, with board members throughout the state but our office and headquarter is in Chicago. You can find out more about us and the work we do by looking at our website at www.illinoislaborhistory.org.

Illinois Labor History Society Executive Director: Desirable Characteristics and Responsibilities
The ideal candidate for Executive Director of the ILHS is a person who has a passion for the ILHS mission to encourage the preservation and study of Illinois’ labor history and to spread public interest in its significance for the present and future. This person recognizes that, at its core, the ILHS is an educational, advocacy, and service organization which seeks to support engagement in the study of labor and the working class by its constituent organizations and individuals and the broader community as a whole. Although much of the organization’s work can be conducted during traditional work hours, the ED must be willing to work some weekends and evenings to carry out the ILHS’ varied activities. They must also have access to a car and be willing to engage in travel throughout the State. 

The ED must demonstrate a collaborative working relationship with the Board of Trustees that they report to and received direction from. The ideal ED candidate will have a broad base of knowledge in running an organization on a day-to-day basis, handling basic technology, and working with and recruiting recruit and manage volunteers. Concurrently, the ED must be able to utilize the resources of the ILHS to expand its programs and presence in the labor community and the public at large. This will be done by developing collaborative relationships with its affinity organizations and allies. The ED takes a lead in both creating and managing a culture of quality, support, and service including obtaining and utilizing the needed resources to make that possible. The successful candidate should combine a unique blend of professional and personal characteristics. 

Among these qualities are:
Collaborative Leader-
Must be able to demonstrate success through working cooperatively with the Board and Officers, members of the ILHS, union leaders, academic scholars, teachers, community and advocacy groups, vendors, and the media. Use initiative to establish positive communication channels with Board members, unions, scholars, and volunteers to further the work of the ILHS.

Skillful Business Manager-
Have the skills and ability to manage all aspects of the ILHS's daily business functions including preparing financial reports for the Board, managing QuickBooks, Paypal, Square, and other payment programs. Utilizing financial, technical and membership programs and databases, creating Excel spreadsheets, managing the organization’s basic taxes, not-for-profit status etc. This aspect of the work includes scheduling and ensuring that program activities such as tours, book sales, newsletter, Union Hall of Honor Annual Dinner, and related activities are carried out effectively with a vision to expand these activities and strengthen the organization and further its mission. Ability to manage and update ILHS website by learning Squarespace. Both remote and on-site work expected. Director must be in the ILHS office located at Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL, two to three days a week.

Excellent Communicator-
Have the motivation and abilities to be a strong presence in the labor community and beyond, positively representing the ILHS and its membership in a wide variety of public situations. This includes the ability, with support and training, to give labor history tours and make various presentations. It includes building relationships across a broad spectrum of diverse individuals and groups in the allied community and beyond. Requisite public relations skills and public speaking capabilities are essential to furthering the outreach work of the ILHS by effectively building relationships and communicating effectively with stakeholders as well as the broader public. This aspect of the work also includes using such programs as Microsoft Publisher to coordinate and create newsletters for the membership and other materials to promote the ILHS’ work and mission.

Fundraiser-
Possess the ability to build and execute fundraising campaigns under the Board’s direction including endowment building, membership drives, solicitation of individual contributions, union contributions and other sources of revenue such as grant writing with a goal of establishing and maintaining financial stability for the ILHS.

Salary and benefits
The starting salary is between $60,000 and $70,000 dollars depending on experience and skills. The position includes paid time off and all major holidays. ILHS will provide an allotment towards relevant professional development and will cover travel costs for work outside the Chicago metropolitan area. 

To Apply:
Please apply by submitting a cover letter and résumé to: ilaborhistorys@gmail.com by Saturday, December 13th.