Program Manager, Institutional Partnerships

Program Manager, Institutional Partnerships

Position: Program Manager, Institutional Partnerships
Position Type: Full-time, exempt
Reports to: Director, Institutional Partnerships
Location
:
Chicago, IL (Hybrid Work Environment)
Start Date: June 2026

The Partnership for College Completion (PCC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2016 to champion policies and practices that increase college completion and eliminate degree completion disparities for low-income, first-generation, and students of color in Illinois — particularly Black and Latinx students. PCC is the only organization in Illinois dedicated to providing leadership for a systems-level approach to support college completion and eliminate institutional inequities by race and income in higher education outcomes.

PCC envisions a state where equitable opportunities to access and complete a college education lead to greater degree attainment, racial equity, and socioeconomic mobility for Illinoisans.

With its vision for system-level reform and institutional change, PCC executes a three-part strategy in pursuit of its goals:

• Supporting colleges and universities directly in their institutional equity change efforts
• Advocating for effective local, state, and national policy and legislation
• Conducting and elevating data and research to increase public awareness and dialogue on higher education equity

The Program Manager, under the management of the Director of Institutional Partnerships, will lead program implementation and provide support to colleges and universities throughout Illinois in creating systems leading to improved retention and graduation outcomes for traditionally underserved students. The ideal candidate will bring their experience in student success programming, relationship management, and systems navigation to execute key programming activities of the Institutional Partnerships team.

PCC strives to anticipate and be responsive to the needs of higher education institutions throughout Illinois in supporting efforts towards equitable student success. The Program Manager will serve as a thought partner to the Director of Institutional Partnerships in collaborating to develop and deliver programming to support these efforts.

Program Implementation (50%)

• Facilitate professional learning, communities of practice, convenings, and coaching interventions that support institutional transformation.
• Manage virtual and in-person event coordination including speaker solicitation, programmatic calendar, attendee registration, day-of event management and assessment.
• Document promising practices, develop case studies, and facilitate peer learning across partner institutions.
• Support the Director of Institutional Partnerships in program development and assessment.

Institutional Relationship Management (40%)

• Establish and maintain working relationships with college and university administrators, staff, faculty, community partners, and external agencies to support program operations and student success.
• Serve as an advisor and technical assistance provider to institutional leaders on equity-driven change efforts.

Higher Education Community Engagement (10%)

• Represent PCC at meetings and events, speaking to the priorities and mission of the organization.
• Present on lessons learned from Institutional Partnerships’ work to articulate PCC’s contribution to supporting systemic change leading to more equitable outcomes for students.
• Stay up to date with research, policy and narratives within the higher education landscape both within Illinois and nationally.

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• At least 3 years of relevant experience working directly within a college/university or as an outside partner in managing programs related to supporting student success and advancing inclusive higher education initiatives.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills, particularly in collaborating with various college/university departments, community partners and/or governmental agencies.
• Data-driven mindset, with the…