Program Development Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL
Program Development Manager jobs in Chicago are concentrated in the Loop, River North, and the Illinois Medical District, with strong demand from nonprofits, healthcare systems, and higher education institutions. Employers hiring right now include JPMorganChase, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Turner & Townsend Pty Limited. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 4 of 71+ Program Development Manager jobs
About the Role:
This 18-month career development program is designed for recent graduates interested in building a career in client service and employee benefits. You’ll gain hands-on experience supporting account teams, assisting with client needs, and learning how employee benefit programs are managed day-to-day. Along the way, you’ll work with a variety of business professionals, including HR, Benefits Managers, senior business leaders, and employees.
Throughout the program, you’ll work alongside experienced professionals, participate in a structured mentorship program, and build connections with peers and leaders across the organization. You’ll also have opportunities to get involved in networking and community initiatives, including USI Gives Back.
Program Overview:
The Employee Benefits Career Track Program provides more than 1,300 hours of structured training and practical hands-on work experience.
- Months 1–3: 100% training
- Months 4–6: 50% training / 50% hands-on experience
- Months 7–18: 20% training / 80% hands-on experience
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Gain hands-on experience supporting all aspects of employee benefits account management while partnering with client service teams across a variety of clients and industries.
- Support day-to-day account management activities across a variety of clients and industries.
- Assist with client service requests, including ID cards, coverage materials, and plan documentation.
- Gather, organize, and maintain client census data to support the renewal process.
- Review insurance contracts and plan documents for accuracy and completeness.
- Help resolve enrollment issues, billing inquiries, and escalated claims alongside your team.
- Coordinate applications, forms, and documentation required to implement and update insurance coverage.
- Create client-facing materials for meetings, including benefit summaries, guides, and presentation content.
- Participate in internal and external client meetings to learn how teams build relationships and deliver solutions.
You’ll Be a Great Fit If You:
- Earned a bachelor’s degree within the past two years.
- Enjoy learning new things and taking on new challenges.
- Are organized and can manage your time effectively.
- Pay attention to detail and follow through on deadlines.
- Communicate clearly and work well with others.
- Approach problems with a thoughtful, solutions-oriented mindset.
- Take initiative, stay curious, and are comfortable asking questions as you learn.
- Are comfortable using Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
USI is committed to providing a full-suite of competitive benefits for our growing population and its diverse needs. We offer a wide range of health, welfare and financial benefits including medical, wellness, dental and vision, 401(k), flexible spending and health savings accounts, short and long-term disability, life insurance and other unique employer-sponsored and voluntary programs. USI also offers a generous paid time off policy, paid family leave benefit as well as paid holiday time.
About the Role:
This 18-month career development program is designed for recent graduates interested in building a career in client service and employee benefits. You’ll gain hands-on experience supporting account teams, assisting with client needs, and learning how employee benefit programs are managed day-to-day. Along the way, you’ll work with a variety of business professionals, including HR, Benefits Managers, senior business leaders, and employees.
Throughout the program, you’ll work alongside experienced professionals, participate in a structured mentorship program, and build connections with peers and leaders across the organization. You’ll also have opportunities to get involved in networking and community initiatives, including USI Gives Back.
Program Overview:
The Employee Benefits Career Track Program provides more than 1,300 hours of structured training and practical hands-on work experience.
- Months 1–3: 100% training
- Months 4–6: 50% training / 50% hands-on experience
- Months 7–18: 20% training / 80% hands-on experience
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Gain hands-on experience supporting all aspects of employee benefits account management while partnering with client service teams across a variety of clients and industries.
- Support day-to-day account management activities across a variety of clients and industries.
- Assist with client service requests, including ID cards, coverage materials, and plan documentation.
- Gather, organize, and maintain client census data to support the renewal process.
- Review insurance contracts and plan documents for accuracy and completeness.
- Help resolve enrollment issues, billing inquiries, and escalated claims alongside your team.
- Coordinate applications, forms, and documentation required to implement and update insurance coverage.
- Create client-facing materials for meetings, including benefit summaries, guides, and presentation content.
- Participate in internal and external client meetings to learn how teams build relationships and deliver solutions.
You’ll Be a Great Fit If You:
- Earned a bachelor’s degree within the past two years.
- Enjoy learning new things and taking on new challenges.
- Are organized and can manage your time effectively.
- Pay attention to detail and follow through on deadlines.
- Communicate clearly and work well with others.
- Approach problems with a thoughtful, solutions-oriented mindset.
- Take initiative, stay curious, and are comfortable asking questions as you learn.
- Are comfortable using Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
USI is committed to providing a full-suite of competitive benefits for our growing population and its diverse needs. We offer a wide range of health, welfare and financial benefits including medical, wellness, dental and vision, 401(k), flexible spending and health savings accounts, short and long-term disability, life insurance and other unique employer-sponsored and voluntary programs. USI also offers a generous paid time off policy, paid family leave benefit as well as paid holiday time.
See All 71 Program Development Manager Jobs in Chicago
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Find JobsProgram Development Manager Job Market in Chicago
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Fintech
- Insurance
- Manufacturing
- Food & Beverage
- Banking & Financial Services
Program Development Manager Jobs in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a program development manager job in Chicago?
The clearest path into a program development manager role in Chicago is through the city's large nonprofit sector, healthcare networks, and universities, which are among the most active local hirers. Candidates with experience managing grant-funded initiatives, community programs, or cross-functional teams stand out. Building relationships through Chicago-area professional associations and targeting organizations concentrated in the Loop, River North, and Streeterville gives you a genuine edge over remote applicants.
Which companies hire program development managers in Chicago?
Employers hiring program development managers in Chicago right now include JPMorganChase, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Turner & Townsend Pty Limited, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Chicago's hiring base for this role skews toward large health systems, research universities, foundations, and mission-driven nonprofits alongside mid-size corporate teams in the Loop.
Are there remote program development manager jobs in Chicago?
Yes, though availability depends on the employer type since roles tied to community programming or on-site stakeholders tend to require in-person presence. About 46% of program development manager openings tied to Chicago are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, with remote options most common in grant writing, curriculum development, and corporate program strategy functions.
How can I get a program development manager job in Chicago with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Chicago is through coordinator or program associate roles at the city's extensive network of nonprofits, community health organizations, and universities, many of which promote internally. Targeting Chicago institutions such as community development corporations, social service agencies, or the city's anchor hospitals gives you hands-on program management experience that translates directly to manager-level openings. Volunteering on grant-funded projects or AmeriCorps programs based in Chicago also builds a competitive portfolio.
Which industries hire the most program development managers in Chicago?
The sectors hiring the most program development managers in Chicago are Fintech, Insurance, and Manufacturing, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Chicago's deep concentration of nationally recognized health systems, Big Ten-affiliated research institutions, and one of the country's largest nonprofit ecosystems makes it a consistently active market for this role.
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