Program Associate Jobs in Illinois
Program associate jobs in Illinois concentrate in nonprofit management, public health, education, and policy research, with demand spread from entry-level coordinators to senior program staff supporting large-scale initiatives. Chicago leads hiring by a wide margin, with additional activity in Springfield and Evanston, where anchor institutions and government agencies maintain steady program operations. Organizations like the University of Chicago, Advocate Aurora Health, and United Way of Metro Chicago are among the most consistent Illinois employers of program associates. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
Purpose: The Associate Director, Transformation Program Management, leads and is accountable for successful delivery of large-scale transformation programs and strategic initiatives across the organization. This role builds strategies and implementation plans to drive business transformation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement to support departmental and enterprise-wide objectives. The Associate Director will serve as a key contributor in program planning, stakeholder engagement, and outcome delivery, ensuring that projects meet their objectives related to efficiency, agility, and business value.
Main Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage complex cross-functional project and program teams, overseeing creation and maintenance of key artifacts such as program charters, status reports, work plans, and stakeholder engagement models.
- Ensure program compliance with relevant corporate, quality, and operational policies and procedures.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships at all organizational levels, providing leadership to advance transformation priorities.
- Identify and recommend opportunities for transformational improvement using recognized methodologies (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen).
- Advise and strategize with executive sponsors and business leads on program direction, key decisions, and change management.
- Manage full program lifecycle: set team accountabilities, resolve issues and risks, and deliver regular executive updates/recommendations.
- Partner with business and functional leaders to implement new initiatives that drive productivity, compliance, efficiency, and business strategy.
- Ensure projects and programs are delivered on time, within scope, and with strong business impact.
- Oversee resources planning to meet critical program and day-to-day staffing needs, with dotted-line reporting to senior leadership
Qualifications
- Minimum Bachelor’s Degree required preferably in Physical or Life Sciences, Pharmacy, or Engineering; Master’s Degree or PhD preferred.
- Certified Quality Engineer or formal training in quality engineering or statistics is preferred
- 15+ years of combined experience in Manufacturing, QA, QC, R&D in pharmaceutical, biologics, device or chemical industry
- Must have a basic understanding and working knowledge of the physical and chemical characteristics of the products, including raw materials, manufactured at the plant.
- Must be familiar with use of statistical quality systems, electronic document management and laboratory information management.
- Must also be familiar with Quality policies as well as cGMP and other regulatory requirements.
- Must have effective people management and communication skills necessary to supervise those reporting directly or through subordinates as well as establish and maintain effective working relationships among other key individuals in manufacturing, materials management, engineering, product development, Quality Systems, Product QA, Quality Control, Information Systems and Regulatory Affairs and must demonstrate sound judgment in evaluating and acting on day-to-day situations.
- Strong communication Skills, both oral and written
- 10+ years of supervisory/technical leadership experience
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
See All 15 Program Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Associate JobsProgram Associate Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Program Associate Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in program associate jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in public administration, social work, public health, or a related field
- Experience coordinating or supporting grant-funded programs or nonprofit initiatives
- Proficiency in data tracking, reporting tools, and program evaluation methods
- Strong written communication skills for grant reports, stakeholder updates, and documentation
- Ability to manage multiple project timelines and deliverables simultaneously
- Familiarity with Illinois state agency processes or community-based organization structures
Program Associate Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a program associate in Illinois?
Most program associate roles in Illinois require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as public health, social work, education, or nonprofit management. Illinois does not require a state-issued license for the role itself, but positions tied to behavioral health or social services may expect candidates to hold or be pursuing an Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation credential. Employers across Chicago and Springfield typically look for internship or volunteer experience with mission-driven organizations.
Which companies hire program associates in Illinois?
Employers hiring program associates in Illinois right now include AbbVie, Plexus, and Lifesong, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of hospital systems, university research centers, and large nonprofit networks makes it one of the more active program associate markets in the Midwest.
Which Illinois cities have the most program associate jobs?
Chicago, Peoria, and Gridley have the most program associate openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because it is home to the state's largest hospital systems, philanthropic foundations, and university research hubs, while Springfield draws openings through state government agencies and statewide advocacy organizations, and Evanston benefits from Northwestern University's research and community programs.
Are there remote program associate jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and they are more common than in many fields. About 50% of program associate openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how much of the work involves coordination, reporting, and communication rather than on-site service delivery. Positions focused on grant writing, data analysis, and stakeholder reporting are the most likely to offer flexible or fully remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a program associate in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an AmeriCorps VISTA or Illinois state service placement, which many Chicago-area nonprofits and community health centers use as a pipeline for program staff. Large Illinois institutions like Sinai Chicago and the Illinois Public Health Association regularly onboard people from AmeriCorps, paid internships, or adjacent roles such as case manager aide, community outreach worker, or administrative coordinator. A completed internship, a relevant capstone project, or progress toward a nonprofit management certificate strengthens a candidacy considerably.
Where can I find and apply to program associate jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to program associate jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search for roles that match your background, then apply directly to the ones that fit your experience and location.
See All 15 Program Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Associate Jobs