Visiting Director of Training - Health and Kinesiology

Visiting Director of Training - Health and Kinesiology

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Job Summary

The Director of Training provides strategic leadership and oversight of research-based training, professional development, and technical assistance initiatives for the Illinois Institute of Rehabilitation and Employment Research (IIRER). This position is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive research-based training programs; participating in research related to disability, health, career development, employment, community integration; and translate research into practice across vocational rehabilitation (VR), education, workforce systems, and community-based organizations.

The Director of Training ensures that all training activities are grounded in current research, accessible, meets stakeholder needs, and is aligned with federal and state priorities, including Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE), Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), and systems transformation efforts. The position works collaboratively across research, evaluation, field operations, and communications teams to ensure training efforts are integrated, scalable, and impactful.

Research, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with the Directors of Research and Evaluation to design and implement training evaluation frameworks.
• Conduct research related to vocational rehabilitation, career development, and health that provides the foundation for evidence-based program development and implementation.
• Use data to assess training effectiveness, participant outcomes, and system-level impact.
• Continuously refine training strategies based on evaluation findings, participant feedback, and emerging needs.

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Develop and implement comprehensive research based training and technical assistance strategies aligned with IIRER’s mission, grants, and strategic plan.
• Participate in research related to disability, chronic health, career development, employment, and community integration to inform training and technical assistance.
• Lead the design and scaling of synchronous and asynchronous training models, including micro-credentials, certificate programs, and continuing education offerings.
• Conduct and utilize research to identify emerging workforce and training needs across Illinois VR, education, and disability service systems.
• Contribute to grant proposals, contracts, and strategic initiatives.

Curriculum Design & Instructional Oversight

• Oversee development of training curricula grounded in research, adult learning theory, and evidence-based practices.
• Utilize research-based knowledge translation (KT) strategies to ensure training materials translate complex research findings into practical, field-ready tools.
• Supervise instructional design, content development, and quality assurance processes.
• Integrate accessibility standards (e.g., ADA compliance, plain language, universal design for learning).

Training Delivery & Technical Assistance

• Oversee delivery of in-person, virtual, and hybrid training programs statewide and nationally.
• Lead development of technical assistance models including coaching, communities of practice, and implementation support.
• Ensure training reaches a wide range of stakeholders, including VR professionals, educators, providers, employers, and policymakers.

Collaboration & Dissemination

• Partner with the Director of Communications to promote training opportunities and disseminate outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Director of Field Operations to ensure training reflects field realities and implementation challenges.
• Represent IIRER in statewide and national training initiatives, conferences, and partnerships.
• Perform other related duties to support the mission and goals of the Institute.

• Hybrid work model available per university policy.
• Travel required for statewide and national training delivery and partner engagement.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required to support training…