Who We Are

Civic Consulting Alliance’s vision is to be the cornerstone of a civic ecosystem that creates a more vibrant, equitable, and prosperous Chicago region for all. We get big things done for the Chicago region by bringing together our dedicated staff and the business community to provide pro bono expertise to government & civic leaders.

We achieve impact in four interconnected focus areas that are integral to achieving our vision:

Economic Vitality: Thriving economy that builds individual and community wealth in support of regional revitalization.

Education: High-quality education and access to opportunities for all students to prepare them for lifelong success and fulfillment.

Health: Accessible healthcare that increases holistic well-being and allows all people to live longer, healthier lives.

Safety & Justice: Collaborative violence prevention and intervention strategies that create safe and just communities.

Every dollar invested in our mission is multiplied fivefold, providing an average of $20 million in pro bono consulting services annually to the Chicago region. We are the best at what we do, and uniquely qualified and positioned with the trust, experience, and credibility needed to succeed. For more information visit: https://www.ccachicago.org/

The Opportunity

The Associate owns essential research, analysis, and project support that enables high-impact client work. As a developing member of the consulting team, the Associate builds foundational consulting skills that includes owning one or two work streams, coaching more junior teammates (when applicable), building strong stakeholder relationships, and contributing to meaningful outcomes for clients. They investigate client challenges, organize and synthesize insights from multiple sources, and collaborate with teammates to develop evidence-based solutions to support our mission to build a more vibrant, equitable, and prosperous region.

For the problem-solver who is passionate about contributing to a thriving Chicago region, Civic Consulting Alliance provides unique opportunities to: develop your understanding of government and of the Chicago region; to make systemic, cross-sector change; and to impact the lives of millions of people in the Chicago region. We are a fast-paced organization committed to our clients’ successes, so we are looking for curious and passionate leaders who take initiative. You will fast-track your professional development by: building connections across a broad network of civic leaders; and being part of a dynamic, supportive, and tight-knit team.

Below is a vision for the key components of the position; employees will also be asked to perform additional tasks that are not listed in the job description, as deemed necessary by Civic Consulting Alliance.

The Impact You Will Make

Deliver exceptional management consulting services to Civic Consulting Alliance’s clients by (non-exhaustive):
Supporting high-impact projects, working side-by-side with Civic Consulting Alliance colleagues and leaders in government
Supporting client recommendations by conducting analysis, formulating hypotheses, and structuring solutions
Supporting trusted relationships with clients
Preparing recommendations to clients, communicating effectively to build understanding
Supporting project management by developing work plans for workstreams within a project, and by organizing, prioritizing, and tracking tasks
Developing broad knowledge across CCA’s focus areas
Collaboratively build our organizational culture and capabilities by (non- exhaustive):
Seeking and giving feedback and supporting teammates in their growth and development Contributing to organizational development priorities (e.g. in support of client development, partner engagement, and team culture)

Experience

Bachelor’s degree and educational background in policy, business, education, social or data sciences, or related fields; graduate degree is a plus
2+ years’ full-time work experience in a professional setting, with experience in or exposure to consulting, government, and/or nonprofit organizations required
Experience in or exposure to one or more of CCA’s focus areas (economic vitality, education, health, and safety & justice) is a plus
Strong experience organizing, prioritizing, and monitoring multiple ongoing tasks, and demonstrated ability to develop a work plan
Ability to apply structured thinking to define problems, synthesize information, and identify solutions, with minimal direction
Significant quantitative and qualitative research and analysis skills
Experience building trusted relationships and managing stakeholders
Strong presentation and communication skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Word / PowerPoint / Excel, familiarity with quantitative data analysis (e.g., Tableau / Power BI), and the ability to learn and apply new technical skills

Values

Commitment to Civic Consulting Alliance’s core values:
Prove change is possible - We believe the Chicago region can be more vibrant, equitable, and prosperous for all, and we raise our hand to work on challenges that stand in the way.
Serve with passion - We navigate as trusted partners through ambiguity and complexity, ground our decisions in data and lived experience, and hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity.
Grow together - We rely on each other, build mutual respect and sense of belonging, seek perspectives to complement the limits of our own experience, and welcome new ideas and healthy debate.

What We Offer

We offer competitive salary, career development, and comprehensive benefits* including:
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance beginning on employee start date
401(k); annual employer contribution of 5% after one year of employment
Pre-tax programs for transit and flexible spending account (FSA)
Generous paid time off package including: 15 vacation, 8 sick, and 4 personal/swing days; federal holidays, week-long winter break, and early-close days before select holidays
Supportive family planning benefits – FMLA and paid parental leave
Employer-paid group life, long-term disability insurance, and short-term disability insurance; additional, voluntary life insurance
Up to $1,000 per year reimbursed in support of professional learning and growth
*Benefits subject to change

$65,000 - $70,000 a year

Offer within range may vary based on experience, education, or other factors deemed relevant.

Excited about the opportunity, but don’t meet all of the qualifications above? Please still apply! You may have the unique experience that is just right for this or another role.

Employment Requirements

As an organization, we believe that in-person work is critical to achieving our mission; it promotes stronger relationship building with our key stakeholders (clients, funders, and partners), creates closer connection and team-building with our colleagues, and provides broader opportunities for learning and growth. This shared belief underpins our expectation for in-person requirements. Staff are expected to work two or more (2+) in-person days, and up to three (3) remote days, per five-day work week. (On Tuesdays, all staff will work in the office. Teams will align on at least 1 additional day each week to work together in-person; additional days may be required.)

As a condition of employment at Civic Consulting Alliance, you are required to complete a COVID-19 vaccine. If you receive an invitation to interview, we can answer any questions you may have during the interview process. If an offer of employment is extended, new hires are expected to provide proof of vaccination prior to their start date.

We welcome all qualified candidates who are authorized to work in the United States. Please note that we cannot provide visa sponsorship.

What Applicants Should Expect

While the interview process may be adjusted as we go, we expect the process to include the following stages:

Application: cover letter and resume

Phone screen

Take-home assessment

Two in-person interviews (case and behavioral interviews)

Reference checks

Preferred Application Deadline: March 15, 2026

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Civic Consulting Alliance jobs

Associate