Project Manager

Who We Are:
Are you ready to join a team where your talent creates lasting change? At Northern Illinois Food Bank, every day is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our Neighbors, so that everyone in Northern Illinois has the food they need to thrive! Together we are a dedicated and innovative team committed to ending hunger in Northern Illinois. We embrace diverse perspectives, collaboration, and continuous learning, we celebrate successes, learn from challenges, and foster a culture of growth, optimism, and teamwork.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
Northern Illinois Food Bank will embrace opportunities to stand in solidarity with our community, and center the voices of those most impacted by systematic injustices. We affirm our commitment to anti-racism, to gender equity, to allyship, and to fairness as we work towards a hunger-free future and to create a better and more just world.

The Opportunity:
The Northern Illinois Food Bank seeks a detail-oriented and strategic thinker to join our team as a Project Manager . This role oversees projects of varying size and complexity, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery in alignment with strategic priorities. Reporting to the CFO, the Project Manager will coordinate internal teams and third-party consultants in the implementation of policies, programs, systems, and operational improvements across the Food Bank. The role is responsible for project planning, execution, change management, and post-project evaluation while building the foundation for a Project Management Office (PMO) to support organization-wide initiatives.

This Full-Time position is based out of our West Suburban Center (Geneva) location.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage cross-functional project teams through full project life cycle—from initiation and planning to implementation and closure.
• Align internal and external stakeholders by creating clear, actionable project plans with defined goals, timelines, and roles.
• Monitor and manage project scope, timelines, and budgets, identifying and mitigating risks as needed.
• Collaborate with department leads to assess functional requirements and identify areas for automation or system improvements.
• Provide technical guidance in workflow design and process improvements, integrating appropriate project management methodologies.
• Maintain detailed documentation of project milestones, decision points, and communications to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Regularly communicate project status to leadership and escalate issues requiring executive input.
• Conduct post-project reviews to gather insights and refine future project execution practices.
• Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement by mentoring teams on project best practices and change management principles.
• Champion projects that uphold the Food Bank’s values of human-centered design, collaboration, and equity.
• Perform other related duties and/or responsibilities as assigned or required.
  
  

Who You Are:
You’re driven, compassionate, and excited to bring your unique skills to a purpose-driven organization. You have a strong commitment to our mission and:

• At least 5 years of experience leading projects with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with project lifecycle management, requirement gathering, workflow optimization, and stakeholder engagement.
• BA/BS degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Project management certification (e.g., PMP) strongly preferred.
• Training in facilitation and the ability to lead people and meetings effectively.
• Familiarity with project management tools, methodologies, and software.
• A commitment to our mission of providing nutritious food with dignity, equity, and convenience.
• A deep belief in building equitable systems and supporting a diverse, inclusive workplace.

Why Join Us:

• Make a Difference : Every role at Northern Illinois Food Bank directly impacts the lives of those we serve.
• Flexible Work Environment : We value work-life balance and support hybrid work models.
• Comprehensive Benefits : Enjoy medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid time off, and more. The starting salary range for this position is $65,132 - $81,415/annually , based on skills and experience.
• Growth Opportunities : Invest in your career with professional development, career mapping, and leadership training.
• Inclusive Culture : Join a diverse, collaborative team that values equity and belonging.

How to Apply:

Are you ready to make a difference? Apply online at . Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter that highlights your passion for our mission and your relevant skills.

Northern Illinois Food Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Our goal is to attract, develop, retain, and promote a talented diverse workforce where all employees feel a sense of belonging and contribute to a culture that values differences, ideas, and experiences. We intentionally seek out diverse perspectives and skills on our teams, knowing that it makes us stronger as an organization and better equipped to serve our neighbors in need. We encourage individuals from historically under-represented communities and individuals with lived experience of hunger to apply.