Program Officer, Workforce Development

Position Overview

LISC Indianapolis has been working alongside residents and partners for more than 30 years to strengthen communities and expand economic opportunity. We are seeking a Program Officer to advance our Income and Wealth Building strategy and leadership development initiatives. This role will manage the Bridges to Career Opportunities Network, coordinate the Community Fellows Program, and serve as a neighborhood liaison for one of LISC’s Quality of Life Plan areas. In addition, the Program Officer will foster employer partnerships, support neighborhood organizations with financial and technical assistance, and cultivate collaboration among community-based, civic, corporate, and public sector partners. Together, these responsibilities help drive resident-centered strategies that build financial stability, grow local leadership, and strengthen Indianapolis neighborhoods.  

 

Key Responsibilities

Program Design and Delivery:

• Build partner capacity by supporting, developing, and expanding agencies and their efforts to design and deliver vertically-integrated career pathways that connect families with family-sustaining employment opportunities 

• Support front-line career services staff by strengthening connections to wrap-around services, and brokering relationships with employers, and addressing employment inequities to improve career placement, growth, and mobility 

• Lead the Community Fellows Program by recruiting host partners, supporting candidate outreach, facilitating cohort meetings, and coordinating professional development opportunities for Fellows
• Develop key indicators, monitor progress, evaluate site performance, and prepare qualitative and quantitative analyses of programs; track partner performance using internal data management systems

• Identify and address capacity gaps using evidence-based best practices

 

Neighborhood Engagement:

• Serve as LISC’s neighborhood liaison for assigned Quality of Life Plan area(s), representing LISC at local meetings and building relationships with resident leaders and partners
• Support implementation of the neighborhood’s Quality of Life Plan by aligning resources, facilitating collaboration, and advancing resident-driven priorities
• Explore opportunities to leverage LISC tools, programs, and investments to strengthen neighborhood plans and foster vibrant local economies

 

Grants & Contract Management and Development: 

• Cultivate relationships with local funders and explore opportunities to align funding with Income and Wealth Building objectives 

• Identify workforce funding opportunities and prepare proposals, applications, reports, presentations, and tours as required by funders, investors, LISC, and others 

• Convene resources to provide or fund technical assistance, coaching, and support to promote Income and Wealth Building strategic goals 

• Manage and coordinate grants/contracts with community-based partners and consultants through the lifecycle of the contract, including drafting program actions, processing disbursements, overseeing program activity, monitoring performance, and completing narrative and financial reporting requirements

 

Admin and Special Projects:  

• Collaborate with Executive Director on preparing annual workplan and budget for Income and Wealth Building program 

• Participate in peer-to-peer learning opportunities with other LISC markets and coordinate site visits as appropriate 

• Attend professional development workshops, trainings, and other community events that align with individual and program goals 

• Provide content for Communications efforts to highlight program impact, achieved milestones, and other external-facing information on the Income and Wealth Building portfolio 

• Provide input and support improvements to the local office’s organizational administrative systems and processes (e.g., new hire onboarding, grants/contracts administration, team delegation)

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (or the equivalent) from an accredited college or university. Master’s degree or requisite relevant work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in urban planning, workforce development, community development, and/or other relevant field work in neighborhoods.
• Community Development: Commitment to an inclusive, community-based, resident-driven model of community planning and decision-making that strengthens Indianapolis neighborhoods.
• Workforce Development: Experience delivering and overseeing workforce programming for low-wage and underemployed workers, with the ability to respond to regional employment needs, identify career pathways, and engage employers on talent development strategies.
• Program Implementation: Ability to design, implement, and adapt programs that advance workforce, leadership development, and neighborhood priorities in partnership with stakeholders.
• Project Management: Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, balance competing priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Complex Problem Solving: Identifies challenges, reviews related information and data, and develops solutions that balance multiple perspectives.
• Communication & Facilitation: Listens, speaks, writes, and facilitates effectively to build trust with team members and partners, and clearly convey information for different audiences.
• Relationship Building: Builds positive relationships and works collaboratively with residents, community organizations, employers, funders, and civic leaders.
• Detail Orientation: Ensures information is complete and accurate, delivering high-quality work on time.
• Judgment and Decision Making: Weighs the costs and benefits of alternatives and exercises sound judgment to reach optimal outcomes for residents and partners.

 

Compensation 

LISC offers a competitive salary of $69,290-$86,612 commensurate with experience and excellent benefits. Minimum travel, less than 10%.