Visiting Senior Program Lead, Research and Evaluation

Be a part of our story. Through learning partnerships
that extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extension
provides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer,
and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extension
has operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens of
Illinois to their land-grant university by providing educational programming
around the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College of
ACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign.

The Visiting Senior Program Lead, Research
and Evaluation, serves as a full-time 12-month academic professional. This
senior level Extension position will provide administrative oversight for the
research and evaluation team in the Center for Food Systems, Nutrition
Security, and Health Integration (FSNSHI) and affiliated Health and Community
Wellness (HCW) programs. This position exercises influence across faculty,
Extension, and campus units to advance externally funded research,
interdisciplinary scholarship, and public impact related to food systems,
nutrition security, and community health and wellbeing.

Reporting to Center leadership,
this position leads research and evaluation initiatives, mentors professional
staff and student employees, drives collaborative proposal development and
scholarly publications, and ensures that research findings are translated into
effective Extension programs, outreach materials, and decision-making tools.
The role serves as a bridge between research, practice, and community
engagement, strengthening the Center's capacity to generate and apply knowledge
for statewide and national benefit.

One full-time position is
available.
Location: Urbana-Champaign
Campus
In state hybrid remote work arrangements are available

This is a security-sensitive
position. Comprehensive background
checks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, a
CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will be conducted.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Organizational Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of statewide research and programming evaluation strategy and design within Center for Food Systems, Nutrition Security, and Health Integration (FSNSHI) and affiliated Health and Community Wellness at University of Illinois Extension.
• Oversee the strategy and development of research grants that advance the mission of FSNSHI.
• Oversee data collection strategies to document program goals and objectives.
• Lead and direct evaluation team and evaluation efforts for the FSNSHI and HCW program area. Provide direct supervision for research assistants, student employees, and other evaluation team staff.
• Oversee and manage the budget for the evaluation and research team complying with all grant and funding requirements. Oversee and manage vendor contracts for evaluation related projects.
• Provide leadership for the design, implementation, and use of reporting systems and submit the required state and federal reports. Oversee the necessary changes to reporting systems for HCW.
• Provide training and technical assistance to Extension statewide staff for evaluation instruments and techniques.
• Collaborate with Senior Program Leads to ensure streamlined and efficient operations across FSNSHI.
• Initiate and direct interdisciplinary committees and workgroups pertaining to the FSNSHI and HCW program area evaluation projects.
• Build relationships and establish partnerships with stakeholders. Represent Extension on national and statewide task forces and coalitions.
• Provide presentations, in-services, and trainings on topics related to the position for internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the overall vision of the FSNSHI.

Research

• Lead research activities with faculty and collaborating partners.
• Supervise the collection of data that contributes to the research-based evidence of the FSNSHI and HCW program area.
• Write scientific publications that advance the field and represent the work the FSNSHI and HCW program area.
• Oversee and conduct literature reviews to contribute to the latest research.
• Lead efforts for data analysis and data visualization integrating resources and expertise that demonstrate solutions for stakeholders, partners, and collaborators.
• Establish professional relationships and participate in campus-based partnerships that connect academic programs and research to complement Extension programming.
• Serve on state or national board and workgroups to enhance partnerships and collaborations between the FSNSHI and organizations.
• Be an active member within a professional society(s) to keep abreast of changes within your discipline.
• Pursue professional development opportunities to enhance competency in subject matter area.

Other Information

• Perform other duties that contribute to University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.
• Local, regional, and statewide travel required personal transportation required.

Physical Demands
To perform the functions of this position, the employee will
be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the
communities that are served and must have the capability to travel from one
location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for
securing personal transportation. A valid driver's license is
preferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/or
weekends. When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of
environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather,
exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the
functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and
physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently
traveling to and performing work at different locations, ability to move,
transfer and/or transport items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40)
pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and
pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this
position (including the physical, mental, and environmental requirements of the
position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural,
Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting hr@aces.illinois.edu.

Administrative Relationship
The Senior Program Lead, Research
and Evaluation is administratively responsible to the Assistant Dean, Family
and Consumer Sciences.

Education:

• Master's degree in food systems, human nutrition, community health, public health, higher education, evaluation, or related field. Candidates with a master's degree in progress may be
  considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years of full-time professional relevant experience.
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods and applied evaluation.
• Experience supervising and mentoring professional staff and student employees.
• Experience with with data analysis and data visualization tools.

Education:

• PhD in community nutrition, community/public health, evaluation or related field.

Experience:

• Experience with University of Illinois Extension.
• Experience with successful research proposal submissions to federal agencies (e.g., USDA-NIFA, NSF, NIH) or major foundations.
• Experience co-authoring peer-reviewed publications and translating research for practitioner, policy, and public audiences.

• Strong communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills and teamwork as well as the ability to work independently. Ability to lead cross functional teams to achieve high level deliverables and an understanding of land-grant University Extension and ability to work effectively with the Extension system

Appointment
Information
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. This position is a temporary, full-time,
benefits-eligible, non-tenured academic professional position. This position may become non-visiting at a later time dependent upon funding and/or
programmatic needs. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the
closing date. The previously determined salary range for this position was $78,000
to $100,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary while taking into
consideration internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, as well
as budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a
calculation involving these elements. It is not typical for an individual to be
offered a salary at the top of the full range for this position.

Application
Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be
received by 6:00 pm (CST) on June 15, 2026. Apply for this position
using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload a resume, cover letter, and
the names and contact information for three professional references. Resume
dates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, at
a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of your
undergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be
noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

For further information about this specific
position, please contact Amanda Taylor at ataylo@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application
process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1036539

Job Category: Off-Campus

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu