Women, trans, gender non-conforming and queer folks, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Live4Lali is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate by race, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability in its procedures and policies.
Live4Lali also encourages individuals with lived experience of substance use, mental health, or homelessness to apply. Involvement in the criminal justice system is not a disqualifier.
Substance use disorder has become a devastating epidemic with more than 288 Americans dying every day from an accidental drug overdose. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there were 3,261 opioid overdose fatalities in 2022 – more than twice the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents and more than twice the number of homicides. EMS responses to 21,922 opioid overdoses in 2022. The increase in the number of fatalities is attributed to the rise of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. Since 2013, synthetic opioid deaths in Illinois have increased 3,341%.
Live4Lali has been serving suburban Chicagoland for nearly fifteen years providing critical prevention, education, treatment access, support programs, community solutions-building initiatives, harm reduction, and overdose prevention services to decrease the devastating toll of the opioid epidemic. Live4Lali’s mission is to reduce stigma and prevent substance use disorder among individuals, families, and communities, and minimize the overall health, legal and social harms associated with substance use.
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Position Overview
The Associate Director of Programs supports the Director of Programs and organizational leadership in overseeing day-to-day operations, staff coordination, and program implementation across all Live4Lali service regions. This position ensures that outreach, harm reduction, and community-based programs operate efficiently, consistently, and in alignment with organizational goals and compliance standards.
This role requires a highly organized, community-minded professional with strong interpersonal and leadership skills, capable of managing multiple priorities and driving continuous quality improvement across programs and services.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
- Support the overall implementation and integration of harm reduction programming across Northern Illinois.
- Maintain knowledge and expertise of all harm reduction, recovery, public health, and community grants supporting program operations, ensuring compliance with grant requirements and reporting obligations.
- Conduct regular site visits across all Live4Lali service areas to assess operations, ensure compliance, and support staff performance.
- Act as the day-to-day program support for the Director of Programs, maintaining communication with staff and driving continuous quality improvement across programs and services.
- Provide oversight and check-ins with staff and teams to ensure organizational policies, outreach standards, and safety protocols are being met.
- Coach staff on proper outreach procedures, including data collection, documentation, peer support, and best practices in harm reduction and community engagement.
- Collaborate with Program Managers and teams on program design, implementation, and resource needs.
- Establish a home office base determined upon hiring, located at the closest Live4Lali office to the employee’s residence.
- Consult on program development and grant creation, representing field experiences and assisting with work plan development and implementation.
- Make strategic recommendations to the Director of Programs and Program Managers based on observed drug trends and community needs across territories.
- Serve as a representative of organizational leadership with external stakeholders, partners, and coalitions.
- Support the Director of Programs in identifying opportunities and performance gaps for internal team improvement across counties, implementing data-driven performance management.
- Maintain an active background in outreach, providing informed guidance and coaching to field staff and outreach teams.
- Collect, analyze, and report data to support operational decision-making and program evaluation.
- Oversee supply and inventory management across all Live4Lali offices and outreach programs.
- Receive and review supply orders from staff, ensuring accuracy and alignment with program needs before submission to the Director of Programs.
- Collaborate with the Director of Programs to procure supplies from vendors as needed.
- Coordinate and lead the Drug Checking FTIR Program, including policy development, compliance assurance, confirmatory testing support, and integration into field operations.
- Oversee field operations, monitoring, and compliance, ensuring staff adherence to operational and safety standards.
- Manage inventory across programs, ensuring accuracy, timely restocking, and accountability organization-wide.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have:
- At least 3–5 years of experience in nonprofit operations, program management, or community-based coordination.
- Demonstrated knowledge in the areas of safer drug use, addictions, safer sex, sex work, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, mental health, etc.
- Direct service delivery experience in the community social services sector with a demonstrated working knowledge of community-based programs and community support systems.
- Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with a diverse range of clientele, including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges.
- Demonstrated experience to identify, develop, and manage community partnerships.
- Demonstrated knowledge of social justice, health promotion, and public health approaches and models of social support and health care.
- Demonstrated understanding and commitment to harm reduction principles and practices.
- Demonstrated understanding of the importance and role of people who use drugs in the development, delivery, and evaluation of services intended to benefit them.
- Experience leading, coaching, and supervising staff to foster professional development, accountability, and team cohesion.
- Proven ability to review and interpret programmatic and operational data, using insights to drive performance management, quality improvement, and strategic decision-making.
- Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and de- escalation techniques.
- Ability to problem-solve with creativity, flexibility, and assertiveness in dealing with complex issues.
- Proficiency in technology, including Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and virtual platforms (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.).
- Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- A proactive, problem-solving mindset with a strong focus on communication and follow- through.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, mission-oriented environment.
- Valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and reliable transportation for regional travel.
Work Environment and Schedule
The Associate Director of Programs will be based across all Live4Lali offices (Arlington Heights, Rockford, Woodstock, and South Holland), with travel throughout Live4Lali’s service regions. This role requires flexibility, including occasional evenings or weekends, depending on operational or event needs. Standard work commitment: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for schedule adjustments as approved by the Director of Programs.
Compensation and Benefits
- Annualized salary of $60,000
- Subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401k with 5% employer match
- Generous PTO policy
- Flexible schedule and supportive, mission-driven work culture
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit a (1) cover letter, and (2) resume to [email protected] with the subject line: Associate Director of Programs – Live4Lali
Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.