Job Description

Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services, Office of the Mayor

About the Johnson Administration:

Mayor Brandon Johnson is committed to building a better, stronger, and safer Chicago where every resident and every community has access to tools and resources that enable them to thrive. Since being sworn in as the 57th mayor on May 15, 2023, Mayor Johnson has reopened mental health clinics and expanded mental health services citywide, employed nearly 28,000 young people in summer jobs and invested nearly $80 million into youth engagement in 2024, created a place-based, people-driven plan for community safety that is showing promise in downward trends in every indicator, and brought 3,700 units of affordable housing to Chicagans experiencing housing insecurity. The administration’s first year marked a historic $1.25 billion investment in neighborhood and economic development to allow for the expansion of economic development and more affordable housing, eliminated the subminimum tipped wage, and the enactment of the most paid leave in municipal government in the country.

Mayor Johnson’s administration is committed to addressing housing accessibility and homelessness, increasing access to and expanding mental health services, improving community safety by tackling the root causes of crime, and prioritizing youth employment and engagement. With a vision of safety, solidarity, and prosperity, the Mayor's Office continues to work tirelessly to transform into a city where every Chicagoan can thrive.

About the Opportunity:

The Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services is responsible for overseeing the policy, strategy, and program agenda of the City’s health and human services portfolio, and ensuring the effective operation and implementation of the corresponding departments’ services and programs. The Deputy Mayor oversees the following departments: Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD). In coordination with the Mayor’s Office of Community Engagement the Deputy Mayor will serve as a liaison between the Mayor's office and constituents to ensure meaningful community engagement and enact co-governance strategies in making policy, planning, and investment decisions relevant to health and human services.

Responsibilities

Oversee the Health and Human Services Departments on behalf of the Mayor:

• Provide guidance and sign-off on major policy and budgetary decisions relevant to the three health and human services departments: DFSS (shared with Deputy Mayor of Education and Youth), CDPH, and MOPD
• Elevate strategic policy issues for the Mayor’s awareness and guidance ● Meet regularly with department leadership to ensure alignment and collaboration on Mayoral priorities as well as emergent needs or issues
• Ensure health and human services priorities are aligned across Mayor’s Office initiatives
• Coordinate with the Mayor’s Press Office and relevant PIOs in departments on communications strategy and approval for all announcements and initiatives relevant to the health and human services portfolio

Execute and Advocate for the Mayor’s Vision and Priorities:

• Monitor and execute the Mayor’s vision and objectives for health and human services through DFSS, CDPH, and MOPD programming and services including, but not limited to:
• Building a sustainable plan for carrying forward the Mental Health System Expansion Blueprint
• Advancing a workforce development strategy leveraging Chicago Cook County Workforce Partnership and Mayor’s Office teams
• Reducing administrative burdens for delegate agencies and residents ○ Improving budget utilization, costs and outcomes per person served by programs administered by DFSS, CDPH, and MOPD
• Advocating and prioritizing health and human services facilities in the capital plan
• Collaborating with the Illinois legislature and federal delegation in coordination with Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) on protecting and investing in essential health and human services
• Identifying and pursuing new and alternate sources of revenue and funding to protect and sustain health and human services programs
• In collaboration with department Commissioners, guide planning, resourcing, and accountability on implementation of the Mayor’s strategic priorities
• Regularly brief and consult the Chief of Staff and Mayor’s Office team leads on high-profile issues impacting the health and human services portfolio
• Collaborate with Scheduling and Advance to prioritize events for the Mayor’s attendance

Engage with Stakeholders on Behalf of the Mayor and Departments:

• Advocate for DFSS, CDPH, and MOPD internally and represent them when engaging with external stakeholders and constituents
• Collaborate closely with the Chief Homelessness Officer to realize the Mayor’s homelessness agenda
• Collaborate with the Office of Budget and Management and the Mayor’s Office of External Affairs teams on legislative, regulatory, and budgetary priorities impacting health and human services
• Serve as liaison to City Council, other elected officials, in collaboration with IGA, and relevant constituent groups on emergent issues, needs, or problems relevant to the city’s health and human services portfolio in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Community Engagement
• Regularly engage nonprofit service providers and other coalitions on priorities and issues related to the sustainability and delivery of health and human services
• Represent the Mayor as necessary at public events and at meetings with stakeholders
• Troubleshoot emerging issues, crises, or events by direction of the Mayor and the executive team

Manage and Lead the Health and Human Services Team and Department Leadership:

• Supervise, lead and develop the Health and Human Services team in the Mayor’s Office
• Serve as advisor to the Chief of Staff and executive team and support hiring and
• appointments for department leadership and related boards and commissions
• Secure additional external resources as needed to support the work such as consultants, fellows and interns
• Manage the Health and Human Services annual events budget

The Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services reports to the Chief of Staff (day to day) and to the Mayor (priorities and vision), and supervises a team of 2: First Deputy of Health and Human Services and Director; the Deputy Mayor will have discretion to assign and allocate team priorities and responsibilities.

CORE COMPETENCIES

The Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services will be a highly-regarded and experienced professional, and will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics, among others:

• Extensive knowledge of the city’s health and human services landscape, and the funding and regulatory landscape for health and human services at the state and federal levels
• Deep knowledge of complex governmental systems and an ability to manage sophisticated programs and operations
• Established political strategist with strong intergovernmental skills who can represent the Mayor consistent with the values and objectives of the Mayor's vision for the City of Chicago
• Strong manager that will bring a track record of effective and growth-oriented talent development on their team; experience managing direct reports with disparate portfolios; and effective at “managing up” as well as lateral coordination with peers
• Skilled at building and sustaining excellent relationships across diverse stakeholders; demonstrated ability to connect, collaborate, build partnership and trust, and be held accountable
• Demonstrated ability to act as an internal change agent, building trust with colleagues and stewarding high-impact initiatives while navigating complex stakeholder interests
• Past experience as a funder or in pursuing grant funding, public and private, highly desired
• Passionate about the City of Chicago, particularly a strong advocate for working people and communities historically marginalized due to their perceived/actual identity.

Anticipated Salary: $189,324.00

Deadline to Apply: April 18, 2025

To Apply: E-Mail resume/CV to: danielle.blick@cityofchicago.org

Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits for eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Chicago employees here .

The City of Chicago values a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. The City of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage candidates from all races, religions, national origins, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and ages, as well as veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply.

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