Director of Professional Programs
$65,000–$68,000 year
On-sitePeoria, Illinois, United States
Job Summary
Lead compliance of grant-funded programming during the initial 14-month period, including coordination of employer engagement, instructor and learner support, enrollment tracking, and required federal reporting. Develop and steward relationships with employers, unions, trades, and professional organizations to identify emerging workforce needs and align programs accordingly. Establish an Employer Advisory Council to provide ongoing input on skills gaps and industry trends. Collaborate with Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to align non-credit programming with academic strengths and develop pathways from non-credit to credit. Serve as the division's lead for Workforce Pell Grant readiness, coordinating cross-campus efforts to identify eligible programs and support compliance. Identify and pursue external funding opportunities to support program growth and innovation. Develop and maintain program performance and revenue tracking systems, including enrollment data, outcomes, and pipeline projections. Provide regular updates on program performance and growth opportunities to division and university leadership. Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and operational consistency across non-credit initiatives.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- Valid driver's license
- Ability to lift and transport materials (up to 50 lbs.)
- Willingness and ability to travel within Illinois
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
- Experience developing employer-aligned programs, professional education initiatives, or partnership-based programming in higher education, nonprofit, or related settings
- Proven ability to cultivate and sustain external partnerships that lead to program development, participant engagement, and long-term collaboration
- Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate employer and learner needs into high-quality, accessible learning opportunities
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously while maintaining organization, follow-through, and operational consistency
- Demonstrated ability to balance independent work with regular in-person engagement both on campus and within the community
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships within the regional employer and professional community through regular in-person engagement
- Experience with program performance tracking, enrollment analysis, and data-informed decision-making
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively and professionally with a wide range of audiences, including faculty, staff, employers, community members, and executive-level leaders, with a commitment to service, learning, and relationship-building
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate across academic units and administrative divisions in a coordinated, team-oriented environment
- High level of initiative, accountability, and follow-through, with the ability to take ownership of projects from concept through implementation
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and learning management systems
- Willingness to learn additional institutional and data systems as needed
Desired Qualifications
- Master's degree
- Experience in education, professional development, or higher education administration
- Familiarity with grant development and compliance processes
- Demonstrated success in developing and sustaining employer-aligned programs or partnership-based initiatives
- Experience working with adult learners, alumni populations, or community-based educational programs
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