Program Development Manager Jobs in Illinois

Program Development Manager jobs in Illinois are in steady demand, with the strongest concentration in healthcare systems, nonprofit services, higher education, and workforce development organizations, drawing candidates from coordinator-level roles through senior program leadership. Chicago anchors the market, with significant hiring also in Springfield and Rockford, where organizations like Advocate Health Care, the University of Illinois system, and United Way of Illinois maintain ongoing program development functions. The most sought-after specialties include grant-funded program design, community health initiatives, and curriculum or workforce development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles36
Top employerCaterpillar
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring15
Work type50% On-site
Top industryFintech

Showing 4 of 36+ Program Development Manager jobs

Grainger
Finance Development Program (January 2027 Start)
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Grainger
Added 1d ago
Finance Development Program (January 2027 Start)
Grainger
Lake Forest, Illinois
Account Management
Customer Service
Customer Support
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in business
10,000+

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Denver Mattress
Sales Representative - Management Development Program
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Denver Mattress
Added 1d ago
Sales Representative - Management Development Program
Denver Mattress
Normal, Illinois
Account Management
Customer Service
Sales
$50k - $60k/yr
501-1,000

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Denver Mattress
Sales Representative - Management Development Program
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Denver Mattress
Added 2d ago
Sales Representative - Management Development Program
Denver Mattress
Moline, Illinois
Account Management
Inside Sales
Sales
$50k - $60k/yr
501-1,000

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Wahl Clipper Corporation
Program Manager, New Product Development
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Wahl Clipper Corporation
Added 3d ago
Program Manager, New Product Development
Wahl Clipper Corporation
Chicago, Illinois
Business Operations
Customer Service
Customer Success
$100k - $125k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
1,001-5,000

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See All 36 Program Development Manager Jobs in Illinois

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Program Development Manager Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Peoria
4 jobs
Mossville
4 jobs
Moline
2 jobs
North Chicago
2 jobs
Alsip
1 job
Normal
1 job
Champaign
1 job
Deerfield
1 job

Program Development Manager Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Caterpillar
Caterpillar6 open roles
Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual3 open roles
AbbVie
AbbVie2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Fintech
  • Insurance
  • Manufacturing
  • Chemicals & Materials
  • Banking & Financial Services

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in program development manager jobs across Illinois.

  • Bachelor's degree in public administration, social work, education, or a related field required
  • Three or more years managing program lifecycle from design through evaluation
  • Demonstrated experience securing or managing grant funding for program operations
  • Proficiency with project management tools and data tracking or reporting platforms
  • Strong written communication skills for proposals, reports, and stakeholder presentations
  • Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and community or organizational partnerships

Program Development Manager Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a program development manager in Illinois?

Most program development manager roles in Illinois require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as public administration, social work, nonprofit management, or education, with a master's degree preferred at larger organizations. Illinois does not require a state-issued license for this role, but employers in healthcare and social services often expect alignment with Illinois Department of Human Services or Illinois Department of Public Health program standards. Building experience through program coordinator or grants administrator roles at Chicago-area nonprofits or state-funded agencies is the most common path.

Which companies hire program development managers in Illinois?

Employers hiring program development managers in Illinois right now include Caterpillar, Northwestern Mutual, and AbbVie, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's concentration of large hospital systems, federally funded community organizations, and research universities means openings appear consistently across healthcare, workforce development, and higher education sectors.

Which Illinois cities have the most program development manager jobs?

Chicago, Peoria, and Mossville have the most program development manager openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the majority of listings because of its dense cluster of large nonprofits, academic medical centers, and state agency regional offices, while Springfield's concentration of state government and policy organizations and Rockford's growing healthcare and workforce development sector account for hiring outside the metro.

Are there remote program development manager jobs in Illinois?

Yes, and more than many management roles, since program development work centers on planning, writing, and stakeholder communication that translates well to remote settings. About 50% of program development manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting genuine flexibility in the field. Grant writing, reporting, and program design phases tend to be the most remote-compatible, while community outreach and partner engagement components typically require in-person presence.

How can I get hired as a program development manager in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is starting as a program coordinator or grants associate at a nonprofit or community health organization in the Chicago metro, then moving into development responsibilities as you demonstrate results. Large Illinois employers like Rush University Medical Center, the Chicago Department of Public Health, and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago regularly bring on entry-level program staff who grow into management roles. A portfolio showing grant proposals, logic models, or program evaluation reports gives candidates without formal management experience a concrete edge in the hiring process.

Where can I find and apply to program development manager jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to program development manager jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across healthcare, education, nonprofit, and government sectors. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employer without any intermediary steps.

See All 36 Program Development Manager Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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