Director Of Social Enterprise

Job Description - Director of Social Enterprise

Rebuilding Exchange (RE) invests in our communities by reusing building materials, reducing construction waste, and training, supporting, and connecting people seeking careers in the building trades. We divert building materials from landfills through two reuse retail stores in Evanston and Chicago and offer deconstruction services to homeowners that want to save their building materials from landfills. We teach community members to repair and repurpose building materials through education workshop programs. Finally, we run a paid workforce training program to support individuals overcoming barriers to employment to access careers in the building trades. Our training programs are run simultaneously at our Evanston and Chicago locations.

The Director of Social Enterprise leads our earned revenue initiatives, including:

• Directing two retail stores, including sales, operations, merchandising and logistics, focused on reclaimed building materials.
• Sourcing and pricing of salvaged construction material donations..
• Overseeing deconstruction services sales.

This role ensures financial performance, achieves sales goals, and establishes long-term priorities while balancing our mission of sustainability and workforce development. Candidates must have strong expertise in building materials, residential construction, or deconstruction and proven leadership in sales and operational excellence.

The Director of Social Enterprise reports to the Executive Director.

Primary Responsibilities:

Business Management and Strategy

• Meet and exceed sales targets by developing and implementing effective sales and marketing strategies tailored to reclaimed building materials.
• Lead strategic sourcing of salvaged and reclaimed materials, ensuring a robust and high-quality supply for retail sale
• Build partnerships with contractors, architects, developers, and other stakeholders to promote material reuse and drive sales.
• Analyze and report on financial, sales, and operational data to inform forecasting and strategic decisions.

Operational Oversight

• Ensure an exceptional customer experience for retail buyers, contractors, and material donors.
• Develop and implement operational processes to optimize material handling, logistics, and sales flow for retail and deconstruction teams.
• Foster a safety-first environment, ensuring all safety protocols are rigorously followed.
• Collaborate with staff and volunteers to enhance operational efficiency and community engagement.

Staff Management and Development

• Mentor, train, and support staff, including Store Managers, Logistics Manager, and Deconstruction Sales Coordinator.
• Provide clear direction on priorities, tasks, and development opportunities to ensure team success.
• Conduct performance reviews and provide ongoing feedback to build a strong team.
• Collaborate with workforce training program staff to align business operations with training goals.

Organizational Leadership

• Contribute to the strategic direction of the organization as part of the leadership team.
• Support annual goal-setting and budgeting processes with the Executive Director.
• Represent Rebuilding Exchange at public events, conferences, and community meetings to advance the mission.
• Attend monthly staff meetings and participate in safety training and ongoing organizational development.
• Other duties as assigned

Job Skills and Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in retail, sales, or business development, preferably in construction materials or reuse businesses.
• 2+ years leading a team across multiple locations
• Proven expertise in sales strategy and execution; supplier management and material sourcing; retail merchandising and store layout; material management and logistics, especially salvaged or reclaimed materials
• Strong knowledge of building materials, residential construction, or deconstruction practices.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to build relationships with customers, contractors, employees, trainees, and volunteers.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in staff supervision, mentoring, and team-building.
• Hands-on leadership style with a willingness to learn and adapt.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Point-of-Sale systems.
• Deep commitment to sustainability and alignment with the mission of Rebuilding Exchange.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• Why do want to join our team?

Work Location: In person