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About Metropolitan Planning Council
Since its founding in 1934, Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) has been dedicated to shaping a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous greater Chicago region. As an independent, non-partisan planning and policy organization, MPC serves communities and residents by developing, promoting and implementing solutions for regional vitality. MPC’s efforts are grounded in the city of Chicago and the seven counties that comprise the greater Chicago region: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will, but the solutions can be put to work in cities and regions across the U.S. and around the world.MPC primary areas of focus include:
- Housing | Promoting accessible and affordable housing.
- Transportation | Advocating for comprehensive and efficient transportation systems.
- Environment | Striving to create environmentally responsible communities.
Through collaborative models, MPC generates community-informed ideas about critical issues in the built environment, including housing, sustainability, transportation, and public systems. MPC builds bridges across the metropolitan Chicago region between government, community and business leaders, enabling them to more powerfully join forces and collectively find answers that work for everyone.
MPC believes that strong partnerships rooted in respect, listening and trust are critical to shaping a Chicago region where every community is valued, every person has a voice, and every neighborhood thrives.
90 Years of Impact
Originally founded by a group of concerned citizens who sought to enforce standards, collect statistics, and promote neighborhood planning, the Metropolitan Housing Council (as it was then known) evolved to become the Metropolitan Housing and Planning Council (MHPC) to reflect its increased focus on land use and regional planning. The organization ultimately changed its name to the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) in 1985.
In 2017, MPC partnered with the Urban Institute to release the groundbreaking Cost of Segregation study. The report calculated the economic impact of persistent segregation on the Chicago region over the decades and sparked a renewed regional conversation about racial equity, the racial wealth gap and efforts to address both.
In 2018, phase two of the study explored what could be done to change patterns of racial and economic segregation. More recently, MPC convened a series of critical conversations to address systemic barriers to achieving an equitable recovery during the pandemic.Less than two years ago, MPC introduced a new vision for the future grounded in three overarching pillars: Thriving Communities, Equitable Infrastructure and Just Public Systems. These pillars are centered on equity and justice and are designed to strengthen MPC’s impact across the Chicago region.
Today, MPC is committed to achieving equitable impact through a unique model that utilizes research, policy, advocacy, and technical assistance. As the organization prepares to mark its 90th anniversary this year, it is eager to embark on its next era of impact, employing this unique model to create a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous region for all.
For more information on MPC, please visit metroplanning.org.
The Opportunity
MPC seeks a dynamic and inspirational President and CEO to lead the organization into its next phase of programmatic and policy impact for the Chicago region. A key aspect of the role includes collaborating with staff, Board members and a broad range of partners to operationalize MPC’s strategic vision and effectively convene stakeholders to facilitate sustainable systems change.
The next leader will have overall strategic, operational, financial and managerial responsibility for MPC with a keen eye on fund development and donor stewardship.
This executive will be a team builder, bolstering a positive, inclusive, creative, equitable and results-focused organizational culture. A natural coach and mentor, they will be responsible for leading a multi-generational workforce, promoting professional staff development, and attracting exceptional talent while thoughtfully elevating MPC’s brand.
This executive will ensure the MPC’s work is well targeted, coordinated, executed and communicated. The President & CEO will engage diverse voices to highlight key priorities for the region and to socialize new ways of policy and practice. They will actively seek out innovative solutions that address critical issues, advance equity, and improve quality of life throughout the region.
Key responsibilities include:
- In partnership with the Board and staff, ensure strategic alignment and advance the MPC’s key priorities, internally and externally;
- Clearly and effectively communicate MPC’s mission, achievements and impact in multiple contexts, including serving as MPC’s lead ambassador to media, civic and community organizations, and at public events;
- Cultivate and strengthen external relationships to increase financial investment and support for MPC’s work across the region;
- Operationalize strategy and optimize collaboration and institutional knowledge across the organization;
- Bring knowledge of key issues in regional public policy and planning and work collaboratively with the staff and Board in prioritizing the needs of the organization;
- Increase the visibility and influence of MPC among experts, allies, community partners, and constituents;
- Partner with the Board of Directors to expand and diversify networks and to increase fundraising and financial support for the organization;
- Foster an inclusive culture of shared purpose and accountability in the achievement of both short term and long-term organizational goals and objectives;
- Embrace and invest in the professional development of staff; cultivate a spirit of collaboration and growth that furthers MPC’s aspirations, mission and core values; and
- Ensure trust, respect, and transparency at all levels of the organization.
Candidate Profile
While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
Passion for and Commitment to MPC’s Mission
The President & CEO will embody the values and mission of MPC and will be passionate about planning, advocacy and policy that improves the quality of life for all residents of the Chicago region. They will embrace civic engagement and the power to shift policy through collaborative advocacy. While they will bring ideas of their own to the table, they will delight in encouraging and supporting the ideas of others. The President & CEO will stay abreast of key developments in regional policy and planning, including those in other cities, nationally and internationally. They will have a passion for addressing systemic problems in the policy and practices of the built environment, particularly those that hold disparities in place. They will exude curiosity and will operate with unquestioned integrity, ethics and values. They will create meaningful partnerships across sectors to inform and advance policies and practices that lead to equitable planning, development, infrastructure and public systems. They will enthusiastically embrace the chance to collaboratively contribute to a robust, inclusive and forward-looking vision of our region.
Highly Inclusive, People-Centric Leader
The President & CEO will be an accomplished leader with a demonstrated track record of building trusted relationships internally and externally through active listening, authentic engagement and genuine inclusivity. Consistent with the work and values of MPC, they will promote a culture that centers racial equity and justice in the organization’s operations and practices. They will create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose across the organization. They will be a highly responsive and emotionally intelligent leader with a track record of attracting, retaining and developing a talented and diverse staff. This leader will invite and explore multiple viewpoints to achieve organizational goals and will seek and embrace the expertise of others. They will form mutually beneficial partnerships, working collaboratively in service of beneficial outcomes. And they will be committed to staff well-being, providing the tools, education and support needed to allow all team members to flourish in their roles.
An Effective Fundraiser & Ambassador
The President & CEO will enthusiastically embrace opportunities to share the work and values of MPC with others, including current and prospective donors. A proactive and effective fundraiser, the next leader will have demonstrated success cultivating and stewarding support from a wide range of donors, including corporations, foundations and major donors. They will be adept at engaging and strengthening relationships with the Board, fostering a culture of philanthropy and successfully leveraging the Board to deepen and expand relationships with funders. The President & CEO will demonstrate the ability to communicate with clarity, nuance and inspiration in a variety of contexts, including internal and external communications, media relations, community engagement, government relations and advocacy. This leader will be a confident spokesperson and storyteller who inherently enjoys the external side of the role. They will have a mission-driven presence and will be able to effectively articulate and convey MPC’s position and priorities to a range of constituents.
Exceptional Relationship Builder
A natural convener, the President & CEO will bring a strong network of existing relationships to the role with the eagerness and ability to form new relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. The President & CEO will be a culturally sensitive leader, skilled at building effective relationships from the grassroots to the grass tops. They will be equally at home in a Board room with civic leaders or on a neighborhood block with community residents. They will have the ability and credibility to effectively convene people with diverse views and perspectives on complicated issues, building trust and a shared sense of purpose. An excellent listener and persuasive communicator, the President & CEO will be politically astute with exceptional interpersonal skills. This leader will have an inspirational and influential approach to building effective coalitions and generating support for critical priorities. The President & CEO will be highly skilled in facilitating mutually beneficial relationships, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration in pursuit of meaningful and sustainable progress for the Chicago region.
Strategic & Visionary Leader
The President & CEO will be a highly skilled systems thinker who, in partnership with the Board and staff, will bring ongoing strategic focus and clarity to MPC’s work. This executive will be successful at articulating core priorities and leading a passionate team to execute on organizational and financial goals in a mission-driven context. This leader will have a track record of informed decision-making and good judgement in complex situations. They will be a forward-looking leader who is energized by challenging the status quo and creating paradigm shifts that address systemic inequities, taking on meaningful issues and managing associated risks. Committed to building capacity for desired impact, they will bring strategic insight to all activities, consistently monitoring progress and demonstrating the nimbleness necessary to adjust to new realities in an ever-changing environment.
Compensation & Benefits
This is a full-time hybrid work environment. The successful candidate must be based in the Chicago region. The annual base salary for this role will be based on a range of $250,000 – $300,000 with a bonus, generous benefits package and will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s skills and experience.
MPC is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ leaders. Contact
Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Steve Edwards, Tiara D. Muse and Liam Gibbs. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at mpcceo@koyapartners.com. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
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About Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group
Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
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