Visiting Senior Program Lead, Education and Strategic Initiatives

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, Education
and Strategic Initiatives, serves as a full-time 12-month academic professional.
This senior level Extension position will provide administrative oversight for
Extension education, training programs, career development programs, and
grant-supported initiatives within the Center for Food Systems, Nutrition
Security, and Health Integration (FSNSHI) and affiliated Health and Community
Wellness programs. The position is responsible for shaping strategy, directing
implementation, and ensuring quality, impact, and sustainability of education
and workforce systems that advance food systems, nutrition security, and
community health.

Reporting to Center leadership,
the position exercises substantial autonomy in leading a complex portfolio with
statewide reach, supervising senior professional staff, advancing funded
initiatives, and representing the Center in key institutional and external
partnerships. The role translates Extension priorities and grant objectives
into coherent education systems, workforce development pathways, and
professional learning infrastructures that expand capacity across Extension,
communities, and partner organizations.

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 Responsibilties:

Organizational Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of the day-to-day operations for education, workforce, and career development programs, and grant supported initiatives within FSNSHI.
• Oversee the strategy and development of grants related to education, workforce preparedness, and strategic initiatives.
• Lead the Education team within FSNSHI. Supervise designated staff, including conducting staff performance reviews and developing and implementing staff development and staff performance improvement initiatives.
• Communicate with 27 units across Extension, grantors, and subcontractors across the state.
• Work in coordination with the Extension business office to maintain sound fiscal decisions that meet grant requirements.
• Lead and oversee the development of the new policy and procedure guides and the management evaluation processes required by grants.
• Oversee preparation of grant reports, impact narratives, and materials for leadership, funders, and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the overall vision of FSNSHI.

Program Development and Implementation Oversight

• Initiate and direct interdisciplinary committees and workgroups pertaining to grants.
• Give regular presentations, in- services, and trainings on topics related to the position for internal and external stakeholders. Train trainers to deliver programs.
• Represent FSNSHI and HCW on the Extension teams.
• Establish and maintain relationships across the campus, state, multi-state region or nation with program stakeholders and other Extension programs.
• Direct the coordination, integration, and continuous improvement of Extension education and training systems in food systems, nutrition security, and community health.
• Oversee development of Extension curricula, credentials, professional development offerings, and learning pathways for professionals, and community partners.
• Establish and uphold standards for instructional quality, adult learning, accessibility, and culturally responsive practice.
• Ensure alignment and coherence across Extension programs, funded projects, and partner-delivered education efforts.
• Support innovation in education delivery, including digital and hybrid learning models.

Research

• 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 Extension and other food and health related organizations.
• Participate in research activities with faculty and collaborating partners. Contribute to publications that advance the research-based evidence.
• 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

• Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements.
• 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, Education
and Strategic Initiatives is administratively responsible to the Assistant
Dean, Family and Consumer Sciences.

Education:

• Master's degree in nutrition, community/public health, adult education, organizational leadership, or related field from an accredited institution of higher education. 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 experience with planning, developing, and implementing community education programs.
• Staff management experience including experience facilitating groups to achieve program deliverables.
• Experience with grant writing and coordination.
• Experience implementing adult learning theory, instructional design, and digital learning platforms.

Education:

• PhD in related field.

Experience:

• Experience with University of Illinois Extension.
• Experience leading career development systems, credentialing initiatives, or professional learning infrastructures.

• Strong communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work within a team environment. 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 Extension system.

Appointment
Information
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. This 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: 1036537

Job Category: Off-Campus

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