Innovation Specialist

Job Title Description: Innovation Specialist

Classification: Exempt 

Reports To: Senior Director of Innovation

Do you want to be a catalyst for transformational change in our community? Do you love planning and implementing new ideas? Northern Illinois Food Bank is looking for a skilled Innovation Specialist to join our Innovation Team to transform the charitable food network.

Position Summary

The Role: The Innovation Specialist will support the team in all areas of business design, service design, and project management. The position will guide the Innovation Team in identifying information and data to support projects. The position will provide cross-functional collaboration and support to other functional areas including our Operations, Marketing, Fundraising, Finance, IT, Agency and Programs teams to implement cross-cutting, transformational ideas and opportunities that can increase the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of Northern Illinois Food Bank’s programs and services.

Purpose: The purpose of the Innovation Team is designing for equity, empowering neighbors to thrive. This position will work closely with and will report to the Senior Director of Innovation, engaging functions across Northern Illinois Food Bank to incubate strategic innovation initiatives and foster a culture of innovation throughout the organization. The Team will explore and develop innovative strategies and initiatives that have the potential of accelerating Northern Illinois Food Bank’s progress toward the vision of everyone in Northern Illinois having the food they need to thrive. We believe success comes from aligning the strengths of the Team in a collaborative leadership model. While you will have a specific role within the Innovation Team, you will also partner with and support all Team members.

Project: The first major project for the Innovation Team is to grow the online practices of My Pantry Express, our online food pantry, by supporting partners in the charitable food network in adopting their own program and using new technology from Feeding America. The innovation specialist will support the many experiments we’ll be running.

Essential Functions 

• Assist in the development of strategically relevant cross-functional initiatives to support the vision of the Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Innovation Team.
• Support projects including documentation and communication of timelines, project plans, status reports, and accomplishments.
• Support evaluation and redesign of processes and frameworks to increase efficiencies.
• Support co-design efforts with neighbors to understand needs and identify potential initiatives.
• Compiles data and research to support initiatives
• Organizes and facilitates meetings and discussions.
• Prepares and leads presentations
• Prepares reports and analyses
• Support the Innovation Team members in all areas of the work

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Education, Skills, and Experience

• BA/BS or relevant experience 
• Design or innovation experience a plus
• Proficient with various computer programs including—Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, project management softwares, and Outlook. 

Competencies

·       Ability to prioritize and manage work against critical project timelines in a fast-paced environment. 

·       Goal and result driven - always open to new ideas with a constant desire to learn more.

·       Demonstrate proficiency in facilitating a diverse set of teams and groups.

·       Ability to manage up and down within the organization.

·       Ability to see the big picture and understand the perspectives of multiple functions.

·       Culturally aware and ability to bring a trauma informed lens to the work.

·       High level of analytical skills with a propensity to make data informed decisions.

·       Ability to provide direction, solve a diverse range of issues and problems and meet real deadlines.

·       Ability to negotiate and persuade other leaders to adopt ideas.

·       Professionalism, emotional maturity and the ability to use diplomacy in working relationships to deal with conflict and to arbitrate solutions successfully.

·       Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing across all levels of the organization.

·       Creativity, critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills.

Supervisory Responsibility

This is not a supervisory position.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment and in the field. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printer/copiers, fax machines and tablets. Driving to remote locations is also regularly required with your own vehicle. 

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate both in person and remotely. This is largely a sedentary role; however, both office work and field work is required. The position requires the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary as well as drive long distances. Some national travel is required. 

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are mostly Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the occasional evening and weekend hours. Local travel and some national travel is required. Some flexibility in hours is allowed, but the employee must be available during the "core" work hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and must work at least 40 hours each week to maintain full-time status.

Position Location

This position is based out of our West Suburban Center (Geneva, IL) location with at least two days a week in the office.

Travel

Candidate must have a reliable vehicle with valid driver’s license and insurance and be able to travel occasionally to community meetings, other food pantries, local events and other Food Bank locations (Rockford, Park City and Joliet). Position includes mileage reimbursement for travel outside of regular commuting. Some national travel is also required. 

AAP/EEO Statement

Northern Illinois Food Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer