Overview

The Chicago Furniture Bank (CFB) is the largest furniture bank in the country, providing over 5,000 homes per year with free furniture to individuals and families experiencing poverty or transitioning from homelessness. Partnering with 450 social service agencies, CFB operates a 10,000-square-foot showroom where families can select their own furnishings with grace and dignity. Honest Junk Company (HJ), CFB’s social enterprise, supports and funds CFB through furniture sourcing and revenue generation. Since its inception in 2018, CFB has grown to a $6M annual budget, with HJ covering over 90% of operating expenses. The organization employs 60 staff and operates 15 trucks, diverting over 7,500 tons of waste from landfills annually.

The Opportunity

The CFB is seeking a Chief Executive Officer who is passionate about combating homelessness, promoting environmental sustainability, and enhancing human dignity. The CEO will lead the organization into its next transformative phase, expanding its reach and amplifying its impact.

Responsibilities include

Overseeing all aspects of CFB and HJ to increase their capacity to furnish more homes.
Strategic planning, business development, people leadership, account management, financial sustainability, and daily operations.
Leading, hiring, and managing a team of over 60 full-time staff, including a management team, administrators, drivers, movers, and warehouse personnel.
Ensuring smooth, timely, and effective service for CFB clients and partner agencies by overseeing logistics, including furniture acquisition and home delivery processes.
Building and maintaining strong relationships with external partners and stakeholders, including funders, social service agencies, non-profits, corporate representatives, and government administrators.
Advocating for the mission and work of CFB in business development, partnership generation, operational effectiveness, and fundraising contexts.

The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with an entrepreneurial mindset, a passion for building a sustainable business, and a commitment to alleviating human suffering and reducing environmental impact.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Executive Leadership: A minimum of 5 years of experience in a COO or CEO role within a for-profit organization with at least 50 employees, ideally in a fast-paced, early-stage environment, coupled with experience serving as an Executive Director or Board member for a major nonprofit organization with $5M+ in annual revenue.
Results-Oriented: Proven track record of achieving substantial, large strategic goals and revenue targets across overall organizational success, and specifically in business development, fundraising, and financial management.
Strategic Visionary: Capable of developing and implementing innovative strategies to take CFB to the next level.
Business Savvy & Entrepreneurial Mindset: Ability to lead effectively in diverse environments, including business development, logistics, warehouse operations, financial management, client service, external partnerships, and people leadership. Resourceful, nimble, and calm under pressure, with real-time problem-solving skills and hands-on experience. Experienced in emerging, evolving companies and organizations.
Strong Relationship Builder & People Manager: Highly skilled in building trusting, authentic relationships with a diverse array of colleagues and collaborators, both internally and externally. Inclusive team leader with strong emotional intelligence and customer service focus. Responsive to client and agency needs while advocating for CFB’s work.
Public Relations and Stakeholder Engagement: Adept at being the 'face of the organization,' with the gravitas to interface effectively with the press, board, senior stakeholders, and senior leaders.
Operations & Project Management Experience: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines, providing strategic guidance and ensuring excellence in execution. Proactive in improving processes and systems.
Comprehensive Executive Skillset: Possesses any additional qualifications and attributes necessary for a successful CEO, including but not limited to strategic vision, operational excellence, and a commitment to organizational growth and impact.
Passion for the Mission & Work of CFB: Deep commitment to the mission of the Chicago Furniture Bank, providing dignity, stability, and comfort to those facing poverty. Effective advocate and spokesperson for CFB’s work in various contexts, including fundraising, sales, and business development.
Chicago connection: Must live in the Chicagoland area (relocation not included) and ideally have strong ties to the Chicago community.
Flexibility: Must be able to work flexible hours, including occasional weekends and evenings.

Work Environment

4801 S Whipple Ave, Chicago, IL.
Expected 5 days/week on-site at start; hybrid can be flexible once up to speed.

Compensation & Benefits

This role offers a base salary of $200,000 per year, with additional objective-based incentives. The compensation package also includes comprehensive benefits and opportunities for professional development. Chicago Furniture Bank is committed to being an equal opportunity employer and is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We celebrate each individual's unique identity and are proactive in creating a culture where all CFB employees feel valued, respected, and supported. If you require any accommodations, please let us know.

Chicago Furniture Bank

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