Director Continuing and Professional Education

Director Continuing and Professional Education

Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs.

The Director of Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE) is responsible for expanding the delivery of high-quality non-credit and professional learning at scale, managing and expanding partnerships, and planning and executing complex, multi-phase program development initiatives across extended timelines. The role provides strategic and operational leadership across three interconnected program lines, including
1) continuing and professional education portfolio (including the ION eLearning program),
2) Office of Medicaid Innovation (OMI) instructional programming,
3) LMS and technical administration, and
4) Innovate Springfield instructional programs. Because CAPE is a self-supporting unit, the Director must ensure that programs generate sufficient revenue to cover operational costs while funding program growth and new development.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership and Multi-Unit Administration
• External Partnership Development and Management
• LMS and Technology Platform Oversight
• Fiscal Management and Financial Oversight
• Partnership Development and External Engagement
• Human Resources and Personnel Administration
• Program Quality and Instructional Standards

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in education, instructional design, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in continuing and professional education, adult learning, workforce development, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple program lines, teams, or units, including direct supervisory experience.
• Experience developing, managing, and evaluating non-credit or professional education programs for adult learners.
• Experience with LMS platforms (Canvas preferred) in an administrative or program leadership capacity.
• Experience managing budgets, financial reporting, and/or fiscal officer responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage partnerships with external organizations, including government agencies, employers, or professional associations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field.
• Experience in higher education administration, including familiarity with university HR, procurement, and compliance processes.
• Experience working with state government agencies, healthcare organizations, or workforce development entities.
• Experience with Canvas LMS and Canvas Catalog in a non-credit or professional education context.
• Experience with Slate CRM or comparable enrollment management and relationship management platforms.
• Experience leading or contributing to LMS migrations, platform transitions, or digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience developing grant proposals or managing externally funded programs.
• State, regional, or national recognition in continuing education, workforce development, or related fields.
• Experience conducting or applying research in adult learning, online education, or program evaluation.
• Familiarity with DCEO, HFS, or other Illinois state agency funding and compliance frameworks.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to provide strategic leadership and direct supervision across multiple concurrent program lines, including setting unit goals, managing performance, and supporting professional development.
• Skill in planning and managing complex, multi-phase projects across extended timelines with multiple stakeholders, including developing project scopes, tracking milestones, and maintaining accountability across concurrent initiatives.
• Ability to build and sustain partnerships with external organizations including government agencies, employers, and institutional partners, encompassing contract management, compliance, and relationship stewardship.
• Knowledge of continuing and professional education program development, including curriculum design, instructor recruitment, and quality evaluation for adult learners.
• Working knowledge of LMS platforms sufficient to provide strategic oversight of technical staff and make informed decisions on platform matters.
• Ability to plan and manage budgets in a revenue-dependent, self-supporting program environment, including fiscal reporting, expense approval, and cost-sharing model development.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills across administrative, academic, and external audiences.
• Ability to make independent, data-driven decisions in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.

Employment Policies and other information:

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, and…