Project Lead - Project Home (63216)

University Settlement partners with 40,000+ New Yorkers in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn every year to build on our collective strengths as we achieve healthy, stable, and remarkable lives. For nearly 140 years, weve fought poverty and systemic inequality by building highly effective social services in collaboration with our neighbors. Established in 1886 as the first Settlement House in the United States, we bring the values of that movement into the 21st century by meeting New Yorkers where they live, listening deeply to all perspectives, and creating space for responsive cooperation.

Joining with our neighbors to make stable foundations where people of all ages can grow and pursue their dreams, we build community strength. We infuse a commitment to civic engagement, equality, and communal action into each of our programs, which include early childhood education, youth development, healthy aging, mental health and wellness, English classes for adult immigrants, community centers, and the arts.

We Got US is a new, high-impact initiative designed to help New Yorkers maintain access to critical public benefits including SNAP, Medicaid, and related supports as federal eligibility requirements change. Led by University Settlement and implemented in collaboration with the Association of Lower East Side Settlements (ALESS), the initiative coordinates six settlement houses in a citywide response. The program trains frontline staff, develops multilingual community education resources, coordinates benefits advocacy, strengthens community resource networks, and supports thousands of residents navigating an increasingly complex and public benefits landscape.

The Project Lead will serve as the operational lead for University Settlements We Got US initiative. This position will coordinate cross-agency collaboration, organize trainings and information sharing for both US and the network of settlement houses, manage shared communications and resource-sharing systems, support partnerships with government and community stakeholders, and ensure effective implementation of program goals. The Project Lead will work closely with University Settlements housing counseling and benefits program Project Homes leadership and partner settlement houses to expand benefits access and strengthen community stability across New York City.

Responsibilities:

- Work with the Project Home team to coordinate the implementation of We Got US across all University Settlement programs and sites

- Provide strategic leadership to settlement houses to bring a coordinated response to the loss of public benefits to our communities based on recent federal changes in entitlement eligibility requirements

- Analyze and interpret federal and state public benefit policy and distribute information and changes to partner organizations and community members

- Collaborate with internal and external partners to respond to emergency benefit loss and service gaps by connecting individuals and communities with mutual aid and resources. Design and lead monthly trainings for frontline staff across US and partner organizations

- Establish and lead peer coaching frameworks, technical assistance models, and professional learning opportunities

- Develop and govern a digital Resource Hub containing benefits guidance, training materials, outreach tools, and referral resources

- Represent US and build and maintain relationships with government agencies, nonprofit partners, elected officials and other stakeholders to ensure access to up-to-date information and community resources

- Lead multilingual community outreach campaigns and create marketing materials and presentations

- Conduct analysis of community resource ecosystem and exercise judgment to determine how gaps and resources form

- Convene meetings, maintain communication among settlement house partners, and document action items and follow-up activities

- Design and oversee the performance measurement framework, independently determining key indicators, analyzing program data across agency reporting systems and Salesforce, and translating findings into strategic recommendations for program improvement

- Prepare reports, presentations, training schedules, partnership updates, and grant-related documentation. for leadership, funders, and partners

- Lead community outreach, leadership development, and advocacy initiatives

- Serve as a contributor to program planning, continuous quality improvement, and evaluation activities.

- Attend staff meetings, coalition meetings, professional development trainings, and community events

- Perform related duties as assigned

Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Administration, Public Policy, Community Organizing, or a related field preferred.

- Minimum 3–5 years of experience in community programs, benefits access, advocacy, housing, case management, or social services.

- Strong knowledge of public benefits systems including SNAP, Medicaid, Cash Assistance, or related programs preferred.

- Experience coordinating complex projects involving multiple organizations and stakeholders.

- Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.

- Experience developing trainings, educational materials, and community outreach campaigns preferred.

- Ability to interpret complex policy information and translate it into accessible language.

- Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities.

- Experience with Microsoft Office, virtual meeting platforms, and database systems; Salesforce experience preferred.

- Commitment to social justice, anti-poverty work, and community empowerment.

- Ability to work effectively in culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

- Bilingual skills strongly preferred.

Why Join We Got US? This position offers a unique opportunity to launch and help shape a first-of-its-kind collaborative initiative involving six historic settlement houses serving communities across New York City. The Project Lead will play a central role in helping thousands of residents retain access to food assistance, healthcare coverage, and other essential benefits while strengthening community-based systems of support.

Work Schedule: Full time, 35 hours per week

University Settlement is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other legally protected status.